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MedPAC recommends physician payment boost, RO-ILS report on equipment QA, Advocacy Day 2023

January 18, 2023

Registration open for 2023 ROECSG Spring Symposium
ASTRO is proud to co-sponsor the 6th Annual Radiation Oncology Education Collaborative Study Group (ROECSG) Spring Symposium, Friday, May 5. The meeting format is hybrid, offering both in person at The University of Chicago and virtual attendance options. Medical education abstracts from around the globe will be presented along with updates from ROECSG, ARRO and ADROP and a keynote address from Brian C. George, MD, MAed, Associate Professor of Surgery and Learning Health Sciences at the University of Michigan. Registration is free with food provided. Visit the ROECSG website for more information and to register.
 
APEx one-on-one interest meetings available
Has your practice considered ASTRO’s APEx – Accreditation Program for Excellence®? Would you like to learn more? Sign up now for a personalized, one-on-one meeting to discover the ways APEx can benefit your practice. It’s the first step toward joining the APEx accredited practices, who stand out as leaders in their communities. APEx accredited practices have demonstrated that they promote effective communication, coordinate treatment and engage patients and their families as partners in care.
 
New RO-ILS Themed Report on equipment quality assurance
The latest education from the RO-ILS program examines equipment quality assurance (QA) as it applies to all members of the radiation oncology team. The RO-ILS Themed Report shares aggregated analysis on the topic and examines five new cases related to areas of alignment, equipment servicing, documentation and external factors. The report also includes four mitigation strategies and multiple safety check questions to encourage self-reflection and team discussion. RO-ILS regularly releases various educational resources to the radiation oncology community to facilitate shared learning and to improve patient safety. Be sure to check out previous educational offerings such as case studies, aggregate data reports and more. To learn how to enroll or participate more actively in the program, contact ASTRO staff.

 
 
Mark your calendar for Advocacy Day 2023: May 22-23
Save the date for Advocacy Day 2023 in Washington, DC, Monday, May 22 – Tuesday, May 23, 2023!  ASTRO is eager to welcome you back to another exciting in-person Advocacy Day. As a participant, you can expect:
  • Face-to-face conversations with members of Congress and staff about what matters to you, your practice and your patients;
  • Expert policy panels and discussions on ASTRO legislative priorities;
  • Lobbying ‘how to’ so you are comfortable and know what to expect on the Hill; and
  • Networking opportunities with ASTRO leaders, volunteers, residents and peers.

Stay tuned for registration and hotel information, which will open in a few weeks. Email Courtney Williams with any questions.

 
MedPAC recommends a boost for physician payments
With concerns surrounding Medicare physician payment inadequacy, MedPAC recommends to Congress an update of the 2023 Medicare base payment rate for physician and other health professional services by 50% of the projected increase (3.9% in 2023, 2.9% in 2024) in the Medicare Economic Index for calendar year 2024. The commission also recommended for Congress to enact non-budget-neutral add-on payment, not subject to beneficiary cost sharing, under the physician fee schedule for services provided to low-income Medicare beneficiaries. Now the question becomes, does Congress have an appetite for these payment increases? For more details, see What’s Happening in Washington.
 
Looking to hire? Here are four tips to attract top candidates
Job seeker activity has been increasing over the last month on the ASTRO Radiation Oncology Career Center. Follow these four tips to ensure you’ve got strong candidates seeking out your organization! 1) Focus on job descriptions that are clear and concise. 2) Include your organization’s strengths, growth opportunities and workplace benefits in your job postings. 3) Ensure your website portrays your vision and gets potential job seekers excited about working for you. 4) Finally, be sure to post your open positions on the ASTRO Career Center for the most qualified job seekers looking for work in radiation oncology.
 
Reminder: It’s time to renew your ASTRO membership
Thank you for your membership in ASTRO! Your continued membership makes it possible to provide all members with valuable benefits, including advocacy, guideline development, patient outreach, research initiatives and world-class education programs. Renew your membership by January 31 to retain all of your member benefits. Membership is an investment in your profession, the field and your career. Log in to your ASTRO Account and click on the Renewal Alert on your MyASTRO page. If we can serve you better, let us know how by emailing ASTRO membership.
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