Conference enhances leadership skills while showcasing innovative programs and technologies to enable alternative care models
The Woodlands, Texas (April 13, 2016)—Hundreds of community-based oncologists and cancer professionals from across the country who are part of The US Oncology Network gathered March 30–April 1 for the organization’s annual spring conference. The three-day event, held in San Diego, focused on change management and innovative programs, technologies, resources, and strategies developed by The Network to help oncology practices prepare for the transition to value and team-based care models.
“This is a critical time for the cancer community as healthcare evolves to new value-oriented care delivery systems,” said Kirk Kaminsky, president of The US Oncology Network. “The result will be a whole new world for oncology practices, affecting their entire operation from top to bottom. Our annual conference provided our members a wealth of information on leadership skills, best practices, resources and advanced technologies developed by The Network to enable them to implement necessary changes at the desired pace and depth for each individual organization.”
As the payer environment continues to evolve to value-based care and other alternative reimbursement models, The US Oncology Network is at the forefront of developing the technologies, resources and knowledge base required to empower oncology practices to successfully navigate the new healthcare landscape. Comprised of more than 25 community-based oncology practices and over 1,000 physicians, The Network has substantial experience with alternative payment models and is continually enhancing its expertise and resources. By testing and refining the best ways to be successful in the coming value-based environment, The Network can offer oncology practices proven, efficient solutions to help them transition to new reimbursement models.
One such solution that generated widespread interest among conference attendees was the new program developed by The Network to help practices implement the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Oncology Care Model (OCM), as well as other alternative payment models. The US Oncology Network OCM program is designed to automate and simplify the processes needed to implement value and other team-based care by seamlessly incorporating required critical processes into the normal workflow wherever possible, minimizing additional staff time, expense and workflow disruption.
“The annual conference gave us the opportunity to showcase The US Oncology Network OCM program that provides a detailed blueprint of how practices can perform optimally in this new environment,” noted Diana Verrilli, VP/GM of Payer & Provider Solutions for McKesson Specialty Health. “The conference also enabled physician leaders to collaborate with members to strategize on efficient ways to flourish in the new environment and to share case studies of successful transformations that are happening now in some of The Network affiliated practices.”
Keynote speaker at the event was Jay Want, M.D., an internist who has served in a number of key roles in healthcare, including chairman of the board of the nonprofit Center for Improving Value in Health Care in Colorado, board member of the nonprofit Rocky Mountain Health Plan, and president and chief executive officer of Physician Health Partners in Denver. Dr. Want’s presentation on transformation and change in the healthcare industry highlighted the important leadership role physicians must play in order to shift healthcare to a more effective and humane system that benefits both patients and payers.
“Transitioning to new care models will require much more than innovative technologies, streamlined processes and advanced analytics,” explained Michael Seiden M.D., chief medical officer of The US Oncology Network. “Our goal is to not only provide these valuable resources, but to also help our members develop the leadership skills necessary to manage the tremendous change practices must undergo to achieve success in this new unknown territory. Change management was an important part of our conference, since practice leadership must have the knowledge and skills to drive the necessary planning, execution and buy-in by physicians and staff needed to make transformation a reality.”
About The US Oncology Network
The US Oncology Network is one of the nation’s largest networks of integrated, community-based oncology practices dedicated to advancing high-quality, evidence-based cancer care. A physician-led organization, The US Oncology Network unites like-minded physicians and clinicians around a common vision of improving patient outcomes and quality of life. Leveraging healthcare information technology, shared best practices, evidence-based guidelines and quality measurements, physicians within The US Oncology Network are pioneering new ways to achieve this vision. The US Oncology Network is committed to strengthening patient access to integrated care in local communities across the nation, including collaboration with a variety of payers, hospitals and academic institutions. The US Oncology Network is supported by McKesson Specialty Health, a division of McKesson Corporation focused on empowering a vibrant and sustainable community patient care delivery system. For more information, visit www.usoncology.com.