The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) is applauding two U.S. senators for their effort to lobby against radiation oncology payment reductions included in the 2016 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS).
In a letter to the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Sen. Richard Burr (R-NC) and Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) expressed serious concern that the physician payment cuts -- approximately 5% to 7% for community-based cancer clinics -- would significantly affect centers and those that serve patients in rural areas. Noting that these same centers have had payment reductions totaling nearly 20% during the past six years, the senators are requesting that CMS reconsider the new cuts, according to ASTRO. They are now asking their colleagues for bipartisan support of the letter, the organization said.
In preliminary data from an ASTRO survey conducted in July of 1,400 community-based radiation therapy centers, nearly 30% indicated they may have to close their doors if reimbursement is cut 5% to 10%. In addition, approximately 62% said they may have to consolidate practice locations, while an estimated 41% may be forced to discontinue accepting Medicare patients, according to ASTRO.
The most significant portion of the cuts is due to an abrupt change in several policies, including setting values for newly created and revised radiation treatment delivery codes and increasing the assumed equipment utilization rate for linear accelerators. This also includes removing the costs associated with several essential direct practice expense inputs, most notably on-board imaging, which ensures safe and accurate radiation treatments, according to ASTRO.
The organization said it would submit its comments and recommendations in a letter to CMS by September 8.
