AHA Comments on CMS’s Proposed Radiation Oncology Model

The AHA appreciates the opportunity to comment on the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ specialty care models proposed rule, and specifically on the radiation oncology (RO) model.

As described in the proposed rule, the RO model would test whether prospective, bundled payments for 90-day radiotherapy (RT) episodes of care would reduce Medicare spending while preserving or improving the quality of care for Medicare beneficiaries. The model would be mandatory for physician group practices, hospital outpatient departments and freestanding radiation therapy centers that deliver RT services for 17 types of cancer in certain areas of the country. Participants would be required to report certain quality, patient experience and clinical data to CMS over the course of the model.