Remote supervision extended by CMS through the end of 2025

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Gfunk6

And to think . . . I hesitated
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Some great news! Thanks especially to Bridge Oncology and all of the Radiation Oncologists who advocated fiercely for this behind the scenes.

No thanks to ASTRO who fought this.

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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.

Also, ASTRO recommended that OTVs be in person with the Rad Onc. This was not adopted by CMS:

1730756796683.png
 
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.

Also, ASTRO recommended that OTVs be in person with the Rad Onc. This was not adopted by CMS:

View attachment 394576
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.

IMG_2118.png
 
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.

Also, ASTRO recommended that OTVs be in person with the Rad Onc. This was not adopted by CMS:

View attachment 394576
About as credible as ASTRO looked trying to lobby Cigna/Evilcore about the EBM benefits of proton therapy

Just a winning leadership organization for our specialty all around
 
Here was my comment (I found it, deleted my prior post).

I found this to be a good use of my time and plan comment and write my representatives more often going forward. Certainly as long as a small group continues to try to speak for the whole field.

View attachment 394587

This is well done. Thank you.

One of my fears is that our importance/skill set is not downplayed by making it sound like anyone can do our job in person or remote. You do a good job of not minimizing us while still allowing for flexibility.
 
Is there a link to the CMS ruling/extension allowing for Telehealth OTVs through December 2025? Would love to bring this back to our group, but not so sure a tweet or SDN thread will entice the masses.
 
Is there a link to the CMS ruling/extension allowing for Telehealth OTVs through December 2025? Would love to bring this back to our group, but not so sure a tweet or SDN thread will entice the masses.

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.


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.
 
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.


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.
Will do. Thank you.

Is anyone conducting these videos as phone visits (audio only), or is video necessarily required?
 
Video was required - I think this final rule removes this requirement
 
ASTRO or Ron will find a way to complicate this. We are gonna get some white paper citing arcane telehealth rules that will create numerous hurdles to "legal" billing of telehealth OTVs.
 
ASTRO or Ron will find a way to complicate this. We are gonna get some white paper citing arcane telehealth rules that will create numerous hurdles to "legal" billing of telehealth OTVs.
Good thing we can all see this straight from CMS and bridge.

Does anyone on this forum truly believe igrt is a "diagnostic" service?
 
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