Radiation Oncology Anticipates More Payment Cuts Going into 2023
This evening, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule
proposed rule for 2023, with policy changes that would reduce payments for radiation oncology services by approximately 4% next year. This reduction is due to the expiration of the 3% increase associated with Protecting Medicare and American Farmers from Sequester Cuts Act, as well as the Medicare and CHIP Reauthorization Act statutory required update of 0%, and a budget neutrality adjustment of 1.55%. Additionally, 2023 marks the second year of the four-year phase in of the Clinical Labor Price update which lowers payments to specialties that use expensive equipment, such as radiation oncology, in the budget neutral environment for practice expense. ASTRO will provide members with a summary and detailed analysis of the proposal in coming days and will submit comments to the Agency later this summer.
All is well folks! See you beautiful people at the BLs!