01/19/2021

CMS' Proposed 22% Cut to Radiation Oncology Is 'Tone Deaf'

Proposals for a new mandatory payment model for radiation oncology have been met with strong pushback from the medical community. The new model would cut payments for some high-value radiation treatment by 22% in order save an estimated $160 million.

The changes, proposed by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to their Radiation Oncology (RO) Model, have been challenged primarily by the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO), but by other groups as well.

These excessive reductions will jeopardize access to lifesaving radiation therapy services for Medicare beneficiaries at a time when the US healthcare system needs "all doors open" to treat patients with cancer, says ASTRO.  READ MORE