The American College of Radiation Oncology (ACRO), the American College of Radiology (ACR), the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO), and ASCO—some of the largest professional societies representing radiation oncology physicians in the United States—announced a new partnership to reform radiation oncology Medicare payments as well as expand and enhance access to high-quality care for patients with cancer.
Medicare payments for radiation therapy services have been cut by 23% since 2013, threatening patient access to cancer care in communities across the country. Further cuts are anticipated in coming years.
Strengthening Access to Quality Cancer Care
Leaders from ACRO, the ACR, ASTRO, and ASCO emphasized that the organizations are committed to working together to ensure that cost-effective, high-value cancer care services will be available for Medicare beneficiaries and all patients—while positioning radiation oncology for innovative breakthroughs in cancer therapy for future generations. They maintained that payment reform may be an essential path forward for the future of the specialty. Further, broad congressional interest in radiation oncology and Medicare physician payment reform have provided a robust backdrop for potentially transformative action in 2024.
ASTRO’s Radiation Oncology Case Rate program looks to address inadequacies of the current payment system. The organizations are currently seeking input from their members and other stakeholders on payment reform as they call on policymakers to address the urgent threat facing access to cancer treatment. They are committed to supporting radiation oncology professionals, both in hospital and freestanding office settings, to secure fair and stable reimbursement. Additionally, payment reform in radiation oncology must address disparities faced by patients in rural and underserved communities.
Conclusions
The organizations’ leaders expressed confidence that their partnership will ensure continued access close to home to compassionate, technologically advanced, life-saving therapies for patients diagnosed with cancer. They also expressed a commitment to this important advocacy initiative to protect and enhance access to radiation therapy services for patients now and in the future.
“The [ACR] is continually working to advance and maintain a health-care delivery and payment structure that enables those with cancer to access life-saving and quality-of-life improving radiation oncology care in their communities. On behalf of our many radiation oncologist members and the patients we serve, the ACR is proud to work with ASTRO, ACRO, and ASCO to move this important effort forward,” stated Jacqueline A. Bello, MD, FACR, Chair of the Board of Chancellors at the ACR.
“ASTRO welcomes this partnership with ACRO, ACR, and ASCO knowing that as a united discipline, we can achieve lasting reform for radiation oncologists and our patients,” added Jeff. M. Michalski, MD, MBA, FASTRO, Chair of ASTRO.
“[ASCO] supports collaboration across the cancer community and with policymakers toward needed payment reform that supports patient access to high-quality, equitable cancer care,” underscored Everett Vokes, MD, FASCO, Chair of the Board at ASCO.
“As four of the largest groups representing innovative and comprehensive cancer care, our coalition will leverage its wealth of expertise across the spectrum of health policy and economics to ensure the practice of radiation oncology remains sustainable in both community and hospital-based settings to the benefit of patients [with cancer] for many years to come,” concluded Dwight Heron, MD, MBA, FACRO, FACR, FASTRO, President of ACRO.
