Radiation oncologists say proposed Medicare cuts would close clinics, harm patients

Washington -- The recently proposed Medicare physician fee schedule could lead to cuts in payments for radiation cancer therapy services of nearly 20%, according to survey results from the American Society for Radiation Oncology.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services in July announced proposed changes to Medicare relative values and other payment policies for physician services, which would boost payments for primary care services at the expense of pay to specialists such as radiation oncologists.

The reductions, which would take effect Jan. 1, 2010, would result in 30% payment cuts for community-based practices, the radiation oncology group said. Two out of five survey respondents who identified themselves as community-based said they would have to close their practices if the CMS proposal is finalized this fall.

The survey also found:

• 47% of rural practices would need to close.
• 60% of community practices with multiple locations would need to consolidate.
• 54% of practices would no longer accept Medicare patients.
• 68% would limit the number of Medicare patients.
• 43% said their cancer patients would be forced to travel more than 50 miles round-trip for radiation therapy treatments.
• 81% of rural practices reported that their patients would have to travel more than 50 miles for treatment.

The radiology group, ASTRO, said 1,500 individuals responded to the survey, the results of which were released July 27. Complete results are available online (link).

Overall, 97% of community practices said the quality of care for cancer patients receiving radiation therapy would decline as a result of the cuts.

Four members of Congress are urging their colleagues to sign onto a letter they've sent to Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius urging her to intervene before the proposed reductions are finalized.

"Radiation oncology is critical for the effective treatment of our nation's cancer patients," said Rep. Lois Capps (D, Calif.), who initiated the letter with Reps. Sue Myrick (R, N.C.), Mike Rogers (R, Mich.), and Parker Griffith, MD (D, Ala.). "We need to make sure that all cancer patients, including those who live in rural areas and depend on Medicare, have access to all the tools and resources they need to make a full recovery."