For the eighth consecutive year, McKesson has received approval from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to participate in the Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) as a Qualified Clinical Data Registry (QCDR). The designation enables healthcare practices and providers utilizing iKnowMed℠ electronic health record (EHR) to efficiently submit data directly to CMS without engaging a separate registry vendor, streamlining data submission and minimizing administrative burden.

As a CMS-approved QCDR, Practice Insights

, a performance analytics tool powered by Ontada

, can collect and report clinical data on behalf of clinicians for standard MIPS measures. This designation also provides the additional ability to report on custom QCDR quality measures developed in partnership with physicians in The US Oncology Network (The Network) to drive improvements in quality and cost of care.

In addition to quality measures, practices now have the opportunity to improve patient care by identifying social drivers of health via the integration of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) Distress Thermometer in iKnowMed. In 2024, care teams can monitor patient needs through a comprehensive report dashboard and track screening rates based on the new MIPS 487 Screening for Social Drivers of Health measure. These efforts will help practices ensure all patients are screened and connected with community resources to assist them with health-related social needs.

“As the only oncology-specific QCDR, we empower practices to focus on what matters – improving patient care by equipping them with actionable insights and performance measures that can help to reduce administrative burden for their practices,” said Christine Davis, president, Ontada. “Our work continues to focus on innovation and technology advancements that can help practices improve cancer care and deliver better patient outcomes.”

A total of eight custom QCDR measures identified by physician leaders in The Network and submitted by McKesson were approved by CMS, including two measures approved for the 2024 Advancing Cancer Care MIPS Value Pathway (MVP) – Utilization of GCSF in Metastatic Colorectal Cancer and Mutation Testing for Stage IV Lung Cancer Completed Prior to the Start of Targeted Therapy. Practice Insights QCDR supports reporting of traditional MIPS and the new Advancing Cancer Care MVP, allowing practices to participate in the MIPS program a variety of different ways. It also continues to provide meaningful insights to improve care while simultaneously easing the burden of participating in CMS regulatory programs. Below are the eight Practice Insights QCDR measures approved for the 2024 MIPS program:

Advance Care Planning in Metastatic Cancer Patients

Hepatitis B Serology Testing and Prophylactic Treatment Prior to Receiving Anti-CD20 Targeting Drugs

Supportive Care Drug Utilization in Last 14 Days of Life

Mutation Testing for Stage IV Lung Cancer Completed Prior to the Start of Targeted Therapy (

Included in the Advancing Cancer Care MVP

Utilization of GCSF in Metastatic Colorectal Cancer (

Antiemetic Therapy for Low- and Minimal-Emetic-Risk Antineoplastic Agents in the Infusion Center - Avoidance of Overuse (

Developed by the American Society of Clinical Oncology and approved for the second year)

Appropriate Antiemetic Therapy for High- and Moderate-Emetic-Risk Antineoplastic Agents in the Infusion Center (

“As a result of our advocation for quality measures that are truly impactful to oncology care, we are proud that CMS announced in the Final Rule that two of our QCDR measures will be included in the Advancing Cancer Care MVP for the 2024 MIPS Program,” said Erin Crum, senior director of Quality Strategy and Innovation, McKesson and The US Oncology Network. “One of these measures aims to improve biomarker testing rates across non-small cell lung cancer and to ensure patients receive appropriate targeted therapy based on their test results. This is a critical area for cancer care where comprehensive biomarker panel testing rates continue to lag in comparison to the fast-paced innovation of targeted treatments. We aim to help practices close this gap by identifying patients eligible for testing and deliver targeted therapies to optimize their treatment, guaranteeing the best possible outcomes.”

Articles

McKesson has received approval from the CMS to participate in the Merit-based Incentive Payment System as a Qualified Clinical Data Registry. 

McKesson’s Practice Insights Designated as a 2024 Qualified Clinical Data Registry by Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

 — Ontada®, a McKesson business dedicated to leveraging oncology real-world data and evidence, clinical education, and provider technology, was awarded a competitive contract with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to advance the use of real-world data (RWD) in the U.S. community oncology setting. The research aims to strengthen the scientific understanding of the natural history of rare cancers by leveraging Ontada’s community oncology footprint, unique RWD, and experience in real-world research (RWR).

The goal of the study is to enhance understanding of how patients with rare cancers present and are treated in order to inform drug development for life sciences companies and the FDA. Study objectives include:

Identifying pivotal components of the community oncology patient’s journey impacting treatment decisions, patient outcomes, and the relationship of patient characteristics to the patient’s journey.

Describing the patient journey in the community cancer setting relative to national registries and other public data sources.

Identifying insights to inform care and clinical research.

Real-world data and clinical context are paramount to fuel future research in oncology. A deeper understanding of how rare cancers are treated in the community oncology setting requires a line of sight into what is happening in clinical practice. Ontada’s unique data footprint will allow the FDA to further its understanding of a patient population with rare cancers that historically has been underrepresented in studies.

Ontada is uniquely qualified to study the rare cancer journey because of its deep connection with the largest network of community oncology providers in the U.S. That connection allows Ontada to provide a robust view by leveraging approximately 2.4 million patient records from a diverse group of patients.

“We’re honored to have the opportunity to collaborate with the FDA to gain a deeper understanding into a space we are devoted to advancing and serving - community oncology,” said Christine Davis, president of Ontada. “It is exciting to see where this research will take us as it aligns with our mission of transforming the fight against cancer and improving patient lives.”

To learn more about Ontada and the transformative work being done in community oncology, visit https://www.ontada.com/.

Ontada is an oncology technology and insights business dedicated to transforming the fight against cancer. Part of McKesson Corporation, Ontada was founded on the core belief that precise insights – delivered exactly at the point of need – can save more patients’ lives. We connect the full patient journey by combining technologies used by The US Oncology Network and other community oncology providers with real-world data and research relied on by all top 15 global life sciences companies. Our work helps accelerate innovation and powers the future of cancer care. For more information, visit ontada.com.

About McKesson Oncology and Specialty Solutions

It’s an unprecedented time for patients living with cancer as life sciences companies race to create new, cutting-edge therapies. With cancer care becoming more targeted, providers, life sciences companies, and payers face a multitude of challenges and complexity in the development of new treatments and making them accessible to patients in need. At McKesson, our unmatched portfolio of oncology businesses and partners provide research, insights, technologies, and services that are helping to address these hurdles and improve cancer and specialty care.

McKesson is fueling discovery by helping patients participate in cutting-edge clinical trials closer to home through the joint venture between US Oncology Research and Sarah Cannon Research Institute.

The US Oncology Network and McKesson Provider Solutions are advancing specialty care and high-quality cancer care in the communities where patients live by supporting the practices of thousands of independent, community-based providers.

Ontada®, a McKesson business dedicated to oncology, generates real-world data (RWD) and real-world evidence (RWE) and provides clinical education and provider technology to inform and improve cancer care.

As one of the largest distributors of oncology and specialty medicines, we are ensuring medicines make their way to those who are counting on them.

And through CoverMyMeds, Biologics by McKesson, and GPO services, our work continues to help patients access, afford, and adhere to their medicines.

Ontada®, a McKesson business dedicated to leveraging oncology real-world data and evidence, clinical education, and provider technology, was awarded a competitive contract with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to advance the use of real-world data in the U.S. community oncology setting. 

US Oncology

Articles

McKesson’s Practice Insights Designated as a 2024 Qualified Clinical Data Registry by Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

FDA Selects Ontada to Investigate the Natural History of Rare Cancers Treated in the U.S. Community Oncology Setting