ASTRO has requested an urgent meeting with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator to address the severe reimbursement impact of the revised treatment delivery codes. Just three months into the year, many practices, especially community-based and rural clinics, are reporting payment cuts of up to 30%. New ASTRO survey data indicate these sudden changes are already causing layoffs, threatening clinic closures, and placing patient access to cancer care at immediate risk. 

What’s more, in the April Medicare Physician Fee Schedule RVU update file, CPT code 77412 increased from 11.72 to 13.28 RVUs, while 77407 dropped from 9.51 to 9.28 RVUs. Since 77407 has become the main code used for radiation treatment delivery, it is essential that its value accurately reflects the resources required to deliver the service. ASTRO has urged CMS to take immediate action to stabilize access to radiation therapy and stressed the importance of increasing the inadequate reimbursement for 77407 for both hospitals and freestanding centers.

Read the letter to CMS for more information.