Statement from the Dermatology Association of Radiation Therapy on CMS’s Proposed Physician Fee Schedule
As radiation oncology professionals committed to delivering high-quality, patient-centered care, we are deeply concerned by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) proposal to drastically cut access to Image-Guided Superficial Radiation Therapy (IGSRT) for seniors battling nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC), the most common cancer in the United States.
Under this proposal, significant reimbursement cuts would threaten the ability of physicians and radiation therapy teams to offer IGSRT. IGSRT has a cure rate of more than 99% and offers patients, especially seniors, a proven alternative to surgery. Stripping away this option would force countless seniors into more invasive procedures, limiting choice and placing undue burdens on those already navigating a cancer diagnosis.
More than 250,000 Americans have spoken out in opposition to this proposal. Their message is clear: patients deserve access to all medically appropriate treatment options. Removing coverage for IGSRT would have devastating, real-world consequences for seniors nationwide.
We urge CMS to reconsider this harmful policy and work collaboratively with stakeholders to protect access to IGSRT by rejecting this harmful proposal and instead crafting sustainable coding and payment policy. Patients must not lose the right to choose the treatment that is best for their health and circumstances.