ASTRO billing/coding town hall

[TheWallnerus]

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ASTRO billing/coding town hall tonight on the 2026 PFS.

It probably should be listened to! Or, if you're a grammar stickler, it's a thing to which you should listen.

https://www.astro.org/news-and-publications/what-is-happening-in-washington/2025/mpfs-town-hall

 

[RickyScott]

At the end of day, academic departments are still going to increase revenue and profits year over year despite cms cuts.

 

[BobbyHeenan]

I can't make it but I really hope someone mentions how the new IGRT charge is a massive cut.
The notion that increasing kv orthogonal imaging "makes up" for cuts to CBCT is asinine. As hashed out in other threads, kV 2D imaging makes up probably < 10% of all image guidance charges, so it doesn't help at all if that is increased while you take a 20% haircut on CBCT's.

It seems like the focus from ASTRO thus far has been on the delivery charges (which is obviously important too), but the CBCT /IGRT issues really hits the physician RVU side.

 

[BobbyHeenan]

Did anyone watch? I presume a recording isn't available?

 

[grenz]

It is interesting how the ROCR town hall generated so much discussion here, but big changes in Medicare coding and reimbursement doesn’t get a peep.

 

[RickyScott]

It is interesting how the ROCR town hall generated so much discussion here, but big changes in Medicare coding and reimbursement doesn’t get a peep.

we have very little control over cms.

 

[grenz]

if CMS actually made an error with the crosswalk, then vocal community outcry could absolutely make a difference.

 

[BobbyHeenan]

we have very little control over cms.

This is true, but I am was curious also to hear what ASTRO thought about some of the changes...I did not like the line(s) from astro leaders on prior podcasts specifically about the image guidance changes.