On July 1, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
(CMS) released its CY 2010 Physician Fee Schedule Proposed
Rule. The proposed rule has a detrimental impact on radiation
oncology due to the incorporation of new data from the
Physician Practice Information Survey (PPIS) and (2) the
incorporation of a new equipment utilization assumption. Says
CMS in the CY 2010 PFS Proposed Rule: "The PE RVU impacts are
primarily attributable to the proposed incorporation of PE
data from the Physician Practice Information Survey (PPIS)
.... For two specialties, IDTFs and Radiation Oncology, the
impact of our proposed change in the utilization rate for
expensive equipment is also significant. We estimate that for
these two specialties, the utilization rate change will result
in impacts of -2 percent and -5 percent (respectively)." The
overall impact to the PE RVUs for radiation oncology is 17
percent and the combined impact from the rule results in a 19
percent reduction for radiation oncology.
ACRO is already working with others in the radiation
oncology community to ensure that patient access to needed
radiation therapy is maintained and that appropriate payment
rates are restored.
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