ASCO develops and maintains quality measures through a rigorous process that aligns with the CMS Measures Blueprint and National Quality Forum’s standards. Measure concepts are vetted, prioritized, specified, and tested according to clinical importance, evidence, gaps in care, and variation in treatment. Multidisciplinary panels of experts develop ASCO’s clinical quality measures. ASCO provides oversight on the use of measures in quality programs and initiatives including the CMS Quality Payment Program (QPP)/Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS), and Alternative Payment Model (APM) tracks; and the Quality Oncology Program Initiative (QOPI®).

Principles of ASCO Measurement

ASCO has the sole discretion to determine which measures it ultimately develops, based on its current priorities and principles below.

  • ASCO measures are independently developed through a transparent process
  • ASCO measures are evidence-based
  • ASCO measures are derived from published guidelines where a guideline is available
  • Development and validation of measures follow guidelines standards for patient privacy and human research protection
  • While process measures are important, ASCO gives priority to outcome measures
  • Reviewing and updating ASCO measures when there are changes in evidence or practice is an ASCO priority

Measures Steering Group

The Measures Steering Group (MSG) oversees the prioritization, development, approval, testing, and maintenance of clinical quality measures. The MSG’s activities also include oversight of the technical expert measure panels, collaborative measure development projects, review of externally developed measures, and representing ASCO before quality improvement and measures organizations. 

Measure Technical Expert Panels

ASCO's evidence-based measure development process, supported by robust member engagement through expert panels, represents the interests and needs of clinicians who deliver oncology care. Currently, ASCO members directly support ASCO’s measure development efforts through participation in numerous standing multi-disciplinary Technical Expert Panels (TEPs). These TEP members make significant contributions to the Society's de novo measure development and measure maintenance strategies by providing clinical expertise and guidance on measure concepts, level and quality of evidence, and measure specifications.

During de novo measure development, TEP chairs and members share their clinical expertise and guidance throughout the measure development lifecycle, which comprises measure conceptualization, specification, testing, and implementation. ASCO's rigorous, evidence-based measure development process reflects standards established by the Blueprint for the CMS Measures Management System and incorporates critical components, such as environmental scanning and literature review, empirical data and gap analysis, stakeholder engagement, and testing of measure validity, feasibility, and reliability.

During measure maintenance, TEP members are provided with full measure specifications, new evidence, historical measure performance data, and any external feedback or requests for clarification or updates received by staff.

Measure Technical Expert Panels (TEPs):

  • Core & Cross-cutting
  • Breast & Gynecologic Oncology
  • End of Life & Palliative Care
  • Gastrointestinal
  • Genitourinary
  • Hematologic Malignancies
  • Immuno-oncology
  • Melanoma

If you would like to participate, visit the ASCO Volunteer Portal to volunteer to serve.