Proposed Medicare rules & RO impact, Guideline published on RT-WHO Grade 4 Adult-Type Diffuse Glioma
June 25, 2025
| Heads up! Big implications for radiation oncology anticipated in proposed Medicare rules |
| As previewed in a February blog post and March Town Hall, new coding for radiation treatment delivery, image guidance, superficial radiation therapy, and updates to practice expense are expected to bring major changes to radiation oncology payment when the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services release the 2026 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule and Hospital Outpatient Payment proposed rules in July. Read What’s Happening in Washington for more information. |
| Health insurance groups announce reduction in prior auth red tape |
| Major health insurers have committed to reducing the prior authorization burden through various commitments, reinforcing changes that CMS has finalized in rulemaking over the last several years. While the direct impact this will have on radiation oncology services is unclear, this is another step toward combatting the growing use of prior authorization. To learn more, see What’s Happening in Washington. |
| Senate removes doc fix from budget bill |
| On June 16, the Senate released its version of the massive budget bill that passed the House last month, removing from the House bill language to tie physician payments to inflation and making more severe Medicaid cuts. ASTRO is very concerned about the lack of attention to Medicare physician payment cuts and provisions that will make it difficult for cancer patients to get insurance coverage. For more info, go to What’s Happening in Washington. |
| ASTRO guideline on Radiation Therapy for WHO Grade 4 Adult-Type Diffuse Glioma published |
| ASTRO’s new Radiation Therapy for WHO Grade 4 Adult-Type Diffuse Glioma guideline provides guidance for physicians who use radiation therapy (RT) to treat patients with WHO Grade 4 Adult-Type Diffuse Glioma. Recommendations address indications for RT and/or adjunctive therapies (e.g., systemic therapy, alternating electric field therapy), appropriate regimens for external beam RT after initial biopsy/resection including variables such as pretreatment characteristics, target volumes, technique, dose, reirradiation indications and techniques. |
| ASTRO 2025: Call for Late-breaking Abstracts; Last chance for the Early-bird rate! |
| A late-breaking abstract (LBA) is an original research abstract containing important late-breaking research results that were not available prior to the regular abstract submission deadline. The research is limited to highly significant and timely findings and cannot be a revision of an abstract submitted prior to the regular submission deadline. The LBA submission site is open through 11:59 p.m. Pacific time July 10. Learn more and submit. And if you haven’t registered yet, you have until tomorrow, June 26, to do so to take advantage of the discounted Early-bird rates! (Note: Please beware of fake websites that claim to have information on the Annual Meeting.) |
| Complimentary ROCKS Session on writing specific aims in a grant proposal |
| Join expert volunteers this Friday, June 27, at 4:00 p.m. Eastern time, as they share how to write effective specific aims while developing a grant proposal. Specifics will be presented for the fields of radiobiology, imaging, translational/bench research and clinical research. Speakers include Debra Nana Yeboa, MD; Kristy Brock, PhD, FASTRO; David Gius, MD, PhD, FASTRO; and Gaorav Gupta, MD, PhD. This event is free with an ASTRO Academy login. |
| Submit your vote for ASTRO 2025 elections |
| ASTRO's 2025 official elections remain open until Friday, July 11. Log in with your email address and password to view the nominees and access the ballot. Email Membership if you need assistance with your login information. Voting is conducted through a secure, online system that ensures the authenticity and secrecy of your ballot. |
| Impact Factors rise for all three ASTRO journals |
| The Red Journal, Practical Radiation Oncology and Advances in Radiation Oncology all increased their Impact Factors this year. Visit the journal websites to learn more! |
| APEx welcomes new facilities |
Congratulations to the following facilities for achieving initial accreditation through ASTRO’s APEx - Accreditation Program for Excellence®:
Congratulations to the following facilities for achieving reaccreditation through ASTRO’s APEx - Accreditation Program for Excellence®:
The APEx process provides a transparent, measurable, evidence- and consensus-based review of compliance with standards that emphasize a radiation oncology practice’s commitment to safety and quality. View a list of accredited facilities and contact ASTRO staff to learn about the new options for accreditation and why APEx is the right choice to accredit your radiation oncology practice. |
