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CMS establishes prior auth requirements, Public comment on ART Safety, Gold Medal Nominations

January 24, 2024

Calling all researchers! Register for the upcoming ASTRO and ROI webinar
Interested in applying for research funding from NSF, DOD, DOE, ACS and other non-profits but don’t know where to start? Join ASTRO and the Radiation Oncology Institute (ROI) February 7, 5:00 - 6:00 p.m. Eastern time, for “Funding Opportunities Beyond NIH – Tips and Tricks for Success,” the next webinar in the Research-Oriented Career Knowledge and Support (ROCKS) series. Register now and submit your questions for the expert panel in advance of the webinar.
 
Visit the ASTRO booth and talk with Curtiland Deville, MD, at the GU Cancers Symposium tomorrow
Dr. Deville, ASTRO Board member and one of the authors of the recently published RT summary of the localized prostate AUA/ASTRO guideline, will be available to discuss all things radiation oncology! If you will be in San Francisco for the GU symposium, please stop by the ASTRO booth (location 64 near the selfie wall) Thursday, January 25 from 12:00 – 12:30 p.m. Pacific time.
 
2024 Multidisciplinary Head and Neck Cancers Symposium: Program highlights
On Thursday, February 29, we’ll kick off the 2024 Multidisciplinary Head and Neck Cancers Symposium with a welcome from Symposium Chair Faye Johnson, MD, PhD, and we’ll hear from patient Mark Laughlin. Up next will be an exciting session on Novel Local Therapy for Recurrent Disease and then, our first keynote: Overcoming Structural Barriers to Diverse Representation and Clinical Trials. View the full schedule to see what else we have planned over the next two and a half days at this premier head and neck cancers symposium co-sponsored by AHNS, ASCO, ASTRO and SITC. Register before February 9 to save ― we hope you can join us in person in Phoenix or virtually!
 
CMS final rule establishes prior authorization requirements
On January 17, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) finalized the Interoperability and Prior Authorization rule, which includes the establishment of a 72-hour prior authorization turnaround time for expedited cases and a seven-day response time requirement for standard cases applicable to Medicare Advantage plans beginning in 2026. Additionally, the rule establishes interoperability standards designed to improve the exchange of health information and prior authorization processes. For more details, see What’s Happening in Washington.
 
Physician Practice Information Survey – RO feedback needed
The American Medical Association’s (AMA) new Physician Practice Information Survey (PPIS) is underway, and invitations to participate have been sent to randomly selected radiation oncology practices. The purpose of the PPIS is to better understand the costs associated with radiation therapy to support physician payment advocacy. Practice input is critical; please monitor your email accounts to see if you received an invitation to participate and coordinate with practice administrators on a response. Read What’s Happening in Washington for more information on this study. 
 
Adaptive Radiation Therapy (ART) Safety White Paper open for public comment
ASTRO requests feedback on the draft Quality and Safety Considerations for Adaptive Radiation Therapy: An ASTRO Safety White Paper. The focus of this consensus-based document is safety and quality assurance practices relevant to ART workflows. The paper covers ART programmatic components, personnel requirements, adaptive processes and quality management. Please review the document and submit comments via the webform by Sunday, February 11.
 
NEW! RO-ILS Themed Report: Dosimetrically impactful events
The latest RO-ILS education is a detailed exploration of dosimetrically impactful safety events that affected patients and were reported to the program since 2014. The RO-ILS Themed Report contains aggregate analysis comparing this cohort of severe events to the collective database and includes five specific case examples. The findings, related to problem types, treatment techniques, etc., can inform areas requiring additional focus and improvement activities, so don’t miss reading this report!
 
APEx welcomes new facilities
Congratulations to the following practices for achieving accreditation through ASTRO’s APEx - Accreditation Program for Excellence®:
  • BASS Medical Center – Walnut Creek, California
  • Emory at Decatur – Decatur, Georgia
  • Novant Health New Hanover Regional Medical Center - 16th St. and Zimmer – Wilmington, North Carolina
  • Novant Health New Hanover Regional Medical Center - Brunswick – Supply, North Carolina
  • Riddle Hospital – Media, Pennsylvania
And, congratulations to Winship Cancer Institute of Emory in Atlanta for achieving reaccreditation with APEx at their Emory University Hospital, Emory Saint Joseph’s Hospital, and Emory University Hospital Midtown locations.
View a list of accredited facilities and contact ASTRO staff to learn why APEx is The Right Choice™ to accredit your radiation oncology practice.
 
Nominations are now open for ASTRO Gold Medal
ASTRO is now accepting nominations for the ASTRO Gold Medal, awarded to outstanding contributors to the field of radiation oncology. The deadline for nominations is April 12. Learn more about the nomination process.
 
The Impact of ROCR on Your Future: Get answers to your burning questions
Attention early career members! Join ASTRO Health Policy experts for a special webinar next Tuesday, January 30, to learn how the Radiation Oncology Case Rate (ROCR) program will impact your career. Register now for this free webinar.
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