A Norwich physician practice is among four around the state selected by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to participate in a care delivery model that encourages higher quality and more coordinated cancer care, the agency said Wednesday in a news release.

The Eastern Connecticut Hematology and Oncology practice is among nearly 200 practices and 17 health insurance companies nationwide participating in the Oncology Care Model, the agency said.

“The Oncology Care Model encourages greater collaboration, information sharing, and care coordination, so that patients get the care they need, when they need it,” said Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia M. Burwell.

The program encourages practices to improve care and lower costs through episode- and performance-based payments that reward high-quality patient care, the agency said.

As part of this model, physician practices may receive performance-based payments for episodes of care surrounding chemotherapy administration to Medicare patients with cancer, as well as a monthly care management payment for each beneficiary.