Does the RTA proposed legislation that would remove technical payments for freestanding radiation oncology centers from the Medicare physician fee schedule help or hurt radiation oncologists in a freestanding center?

While ASTRO supports payment reform, I personally cannot support this particular bill as introduced by RTA. My main concern is the unknown impact on the professional services fees for radiation oncologists practicing in BOTH freestanding and hospitals.

So, to answer the question as it was specifically asked, the answer is: "I don't know if this proposal would help or hurt this individual." The only answer that matters is what CMS says is the answer. ASTRO has requested CMS to weigh in on this and address their concerns and questions. To carve out one segment of one specialty from the Medicare physician fee schedule is virtually unheard of.

ASTRO is working on a payment reform project with stakeholders from across our field (free-standing, h...