Launch Of Radiation Oncology Model 2021

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Launch Of Radiation Oncology Model 2021
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Launch Of Radiation Oncology Model 2021
CMS intends to delay the RO Model start date to
July 1, 2021 based on feedback from stakeholders.
The feedback includes the challenges of preparing
to implement the new RO payment model by January,
including revenue losses for RO participants due
to decreased patient volumes and layoffs or staff
reallocations due to COVID-19. The announcement
to delay the RO Model can be considered as a win
for radiation oncologists, who have been calling
on CMS to push back the launch date for the model
because of the COVID-19 pandemic. What is CMS
Radiation Oncology Model? CMS Radiation Oncology
Model is an innovative payment model which
intends to improve the quality of care for cancer
patients receiving radiotherapy treatment, and
move toward simplified and predictable
payments. As per the CMSs the main objective of
RO model is to check whether prospective, site
neutral, bundled, modality agnostic,
episode-based payments to hospital outpatient
departments (HOPD), physician group practices
(PGPs), and freestanding radiation therapy
centers for radiotherapy (RT) episodes of care
reduces Medicare expenditures while preserving or
enhancing the quality of care for Medicare
beneficiaries. However, this RO model is
criticized by many groups and their concerns are
listed below
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Launch Of Radiation Oncology Model 2021
ASTRO expressed concerns regarding models
mandatory nature. It was mandatory for radiation
therapy providers and suppliers in randomly
selected core-based statistical areas starting
January 1, 2021 which is postponed to July 1,
2021. The accuracy of bundled payment prices
under the model is doubtful according to The
Medicare Payment Advisory Commission
(MedPAC), CMS goal is saving Medicare money on
cancer care. However, the MedPAC commission said
the use of hospital outpatient department payment
rates to determine site-neutral base bundled
payments for model participants would work
against the CMSs goals. Various groups tried to
urge CMS including the American Hospital
Association (AHA) to reconsider the financial
risk levels of the model, citing misaligned risk
and rewards. This RO model is criticized by
other healthcare industry groups also, which aims
to test whether prospective bundled payments will
reduce Medicare spending on 16 cancer types while
maintaining or improving quality of care for
cancer patients.
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Launch Of Radiation Oncology Model 2021
Next step of CMS incorporation of new models for
value-based cancer care is The RO Model. However,
a 2018 study investigating whether accountable
care models had an effect on cancer care spending
found an 11 difference per beneficiary,
indicating that models created for primary care
may not be applicable for oncology purposes. The
AHA reiterated its concerns about the RO Model
and asked CMS to postpone the models start date
until at least January 1, 2022. Are looking for
radiation oncology updates? We will keep you
posted on this. Are You Ready to Get
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