Radiation oncologists push back on new CMS payment model

Healthcare DIVE September 21, 2020
Susan Kelly

Dive Brief:

• CMS on Friday unveiled a value-based payment model for radiation therapy for cancer patients that will launch Jan. 1, prompting the American Society for Radiation Oncology to call for a delay to avoid “unnecessary chaos” for its members. The bundled payment model, part of a final rule on specialty care models, is expected to save Medicare $230 million over five years.
• ASTRO contends that requiring radiation oncologists to start the model so soon will force burdensome practice changes and investments while they are grappling with staff shortages and other challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• The trade group also said the mandatory model, while reducing severe payment cuts from the initial proposal, still goes too far and should...

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