Members of the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) on April 27 visited Capitol Hill to warn lawmakers that recent Medicare reimbursement changes threaten the financial viability of community cancer clinics.
ASTRO's national physician survey found that more than two-thirds of respondents reported sudden double-digit drops in reimbursement following Medicare's recent changes to radiation treatment delivery codes, with many citing risk of insolvency. Medicare reimbursement for radiation therapy has fallen 27% since 2013, the organization said.
Physicians are urging lawmakers to co-sponsor and pass the bipartisan Radiation Oncology Case Rate (ROCR) Act (S.1031, H.R.2120), which would tie reimbursement to individualized patient treatment plans rather than the number of treatments given. The bill has nearly 30 congressional co-sponsors and support from nearly 140 organizations, according to ASTRO.
Radiation oncologists are also asking Congress to support prior-authorization reform, noting that ASTRO research shows authorization requirements for radiation therapy fail to produce savings and may lead to adverse patient events. The Improving Seniors' Timely Access to Care Act (S.1816, H.R.3514) is the specific vehicle they are backing.
