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ASTRO and medical societies release payment reform principles, call for a rational Medicare reimbursement system

May 27, 2022

The Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) proposed rule is expected to be released later this summer. With the possibility of significant changes to reimbursement under the MPFS, the American Medical Association (AMA) assembled a workgroup of specialty societies to begin developing substantive policy proposals for meaningful reform. ASTRO has been actively engaged with this group and recently signed on to its Characteristics of a Rational Medicare Payment System principles document alongside more than 100 other medical groups.

Those in the workgroup recognize that the current system is unsustainable, and the principles document is meant to be a roadmap to change the MPFS system and push back against future cuts to reimbursement. The principles are divided into three areas: ensuring financial stability and predictability, promoting value-based care and safeguarding access to high-quality care.

This document is only the first step in the broader effort to develop and propose concrete policy changes to the MPFS in order to improve the financial viability of practices and decrease administrative burdens. Read more about the payment reform workgroup’s efforts.

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