U-M Rogel Cancer Center selected for innovative care initiative

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Medicare’s Oncology Care Model aims to improve cancer care delivery

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — The University of Michigan was selected to participate in an innovative care model being rolled out today by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

The goal of the Oncology Care Model is to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of cancer care by aligning financial incentives with the coordination of care, the appropriateness of care delivered, and access to care during chemotherapy.

OCM is an innovative payment and care delivery program developed by the CMS Innovation Center and advanced by the Affordable Care Act. The model was created in response to feedback from the oncology community, patient advocates and the private sector that a new way of paying for and delivering oncology care is needed. U-M is one of 196 practices selected from across the country.

“We are honored to be selected for the Oncology Care Model. This model provides an opportunity for the University of Michigan to be an early adopter of new care models,” says Alon Weizer, M.D., M.S., medical director of the University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center.

“We expect it will lead to improved care for cancer patients across the system, providing a platform for innovation and allowing us to gather more robust data on clinical practice,” he adds.

Cancer is one of the most common and devastating diseases in the United States: more than 1.6 million people are diagnosed with cancer each year in this country. According to the National Institutes of Health, cancer cost the United States an estimated $263.8 billion in medical costs and lost productivity in 2010. A majority of those diagnosed are over 65 years old and Medicare beneficiaries.

The Oncology Care Model encourages practices to improve care and lower costs through episode-based, performance-based payments that financially incentivize high-quality, coordinated care. Practices are rewarded for the value of care provided, not the volume.

The model includes six requirements:

• Centers must provide patient navigation
• Patients will receive a care plan documenting their treatment plan
• Patients have 24/7 access to a clinician who can access their medical records
• Treatment must be based on national recognized clinical guidelines
• Providers will use data they collect to drive continuous quality improvement
• Providers must fully incorporate use of a certified electronic health record

U-M has already begun implementing many of these requirements. The five-year Oncology Care Model begins July 1.

Disclaimer: The statements contained in this document are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of policies of CMS. The authors assume responsibility for the accuracy and completeness of the information contained in this document.