For Health Plan Representatives
ASCO’s Quality Oncology Practice Initiative (QOPI®) is designed to promote excellence in cancer care by helping oncologists create a culture of self-examination and improvement. More than 500 practices throughout the United States have enrolled in QOPI to obtain trusted and actionable data upon which to base improvement efforts. QOPI data are submitted by practice staff twice per year via retrospective chart review and data abstraction.
To expand upon QOPI’s success, and to continue to provide oncologist-led quality solutions, ASCO is launching the QOPI Certification Program. QOPI Certification is based on performance on QOPI chart abstraction measures selected for Certification, and the new QOPI Certification Site Assessment, including structural measures of practice safety and quality. Data and information submitted by all practices will be audited before QOPI Certification is awarded.
Transparency is a key component of the QOPI Certification Program. Links to the QOPI Certification Program requirements are provided below. All aspects of the QOPI Certification Program are reviewed regularly by an expert steering group, and will be adjusted as needed to ensure the ongoing rigor of the program.
- QOPI Certification Program chart abstraction measures: 24 of the QOPI quality measures are included in the QOPI Certification Program scoring.
- Scoring requirements for the QOPI Certification measures: each practice will receive an overall quality score based on analysis of the QOPI Certification measures. A performance threshold must be met or exceeded for the overall quality score, and for adjuvant treatment measures submitted.
- QOPI Certification Site Assessment standards: compliance with 17 standards related to safe chemotherapy administration will be required.
The QOPI Certification Program seeks to promote the highest quality cancer care as defined by the clinician experts, and provide a uniform, rigorous, and proven solution for oncology quality efforts. Health plan providers can save valuable time and resources by recognizing practices that participate in QOPI and those that receive QOPI Certification.
Recognizing QOPI Participation
ASCO is pleased to continue the QOPI Health Plan Program in collaboration with health plans nationwide. Through this voluntary program, QOPI participants can request that ASCO send verification of QOPI participation to health plans that participate in the program.
Recognizing QOPI Certification
Starting in 2010, health plans will have the opportunity to recognize and highlight practices that attain QOPI Certification. With practice opt-in, ASCO will provide health plans with a practice’s QOPI Certification status. This performance-based program provides a unique opportunity for outpatient hematology-oncology practices to demonstrate their quality achievements. It also provides health plans an opportunity to utilize QOPI Certification status in quality programs and provide relevant information to patients, employers, and others.
Benefits to Health Plans
Improves Care – Both QOPI and the QOPI Certification Program promote practice improvement for all participants. Measures, scoring requirements, and structural standards will be continually reassessed to maintain rigor.
Recognizes Quality – Participation in QOPI demonstrates a commitment to quality. Health plans can recognize practices that participate in QOPI or achieve QOPI Certification by highlighting them in physician finders or other plan materials.
Saves Time and Money – Health plans do not have to take the time and expense of building their own quality oncology program.
ASCO Led – Health plans can rely on ASCO to take the lead on maintaining measures and standards, providing a means to assess them in the outpatient setting, and reporting practice-specific participation and Certification status information.
- View the QOPI Certification Program description (practice-focused)
- View the QOPI Health Plan Program description (practice-focused)
Email qopicertification@asco.org for more information or specific questions.