Cuts in reimbursement proposed for radiation oncology in the US.

摘要

A proposal by the US government to cut Medicare reimbursement for radiation oncology services by 19% has sparked a furore among American radiation oncologists. The proposal, made by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), could cause two out of five radiation therapy clinics to close, and many would need to lay off support staff and reduce services, according to a survey of more than 500 members of the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO). The proposed Medicare cuts would mainly affect private and community-based cancer centres that provide radiation oncology therapy as part of their services. Because of differences in the types of services offered, some practices might have their reimbursement cut by as much as 44%, according to ASTRO's chief executive officer, Laura Thevenot. "As a result, many of our members would have to limit the number of Medicare patients they take, stop taking Medicare all together, close clinics, or limit ancillary services such as nutritionists and social workers", she says.