Good point. How stupid do you think ASTRO looks to CMS by sending them a letter and a few months later taking a contrary position based on member feedback? This little episode has probably shredded whatever credibility ASTRO has with CMS and may prevent other initiatves like ROPR from being passed.
I publicly commented on this. Not many people did in terms of lobbying pro-tele. I think just me, Jordan Johnson, and the MSKCC group.
About as credible as ASTRO looked trying to lobby Cigna/Evilcore about the EBM benefits of proton therapy
Any updates as to what is going on with ROCR?
Will do. Thank you.Its in the final rule, here is the fact sheet from CMS (does not mention 77427). The final rule itself is like 1000+ pages. You could download it and word search 77427 to get the language.
Calendar Year (CY) 2025 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Final Rule | CMS
On November 1, 2024, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a rule finalizing changes for Medicare payments under the PFS and other Medicare Part B policies, effective on or after January 1, 2025.The CY 2025 PFS final rule is one of several final rules that reflect a broader...www.cms.gov
ASTRO and/or ACRO usually put out some kind of radiation oncology specific summary each year, but I have not seen that yet for 25.
Note, this is just for patients under medicare. Other insurances can follow these rules, or not. If you are employed, your company rules are a lot more important. I have heard some companies just don't allow telehealth anymore at all. Mine requires a special note template.
You should also check if using telehealth affects your RVUs, 77427 is a significant RVU generator for most Rad Oncs.
I believe video is required.
Not sure if you want to wait for ASTRO/ACRO to spin this to 'justify' whatever their 'position' was.
Good thing we can all see this straight from CMS and bridge.
A Beckta podcast, or three, on IGRT calls this “theory of the case” into question
