Statement from the Dermatology Association of Radiation Therapy on Proposed LCDs Limiting Access to IGSRT
As physicians and radiation therapy professionals dedicated to evidence-based, patient-centered care, we strongly oppose the proposed Local Coverage Determinations (LCDs), DL40189, DL40193, DL40168, DL40176, and DL40179, which would strip away access to Image-Guided Superficial Radiation Therapy (IGSRT) for patients with nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC).
NMSC is the most common cancer in the United States, and IGSRT offers a non-invasive treatment option with cure rates exceeding 99%. By removing coverage for Image Guidance, the proposed LCDs would effectively eliminate access to IGSRT altogether, denying seniors a safe and effective alternative to surgery.
More than 250,000 Americans have already spoken out in support of protecting this therapy. Their voices reflect what we know to be true: patients deserve access to all medically appropriate treatment options. Eliminating coverage for IGSRT would have devastating consequences for seniors and others facing skin cancer diagnoses.
As CMS reviews these policies, we urge decision-makers to reject the proposed LCDs and instead adopt coverage criteria that support the responsible, medically necessary use of IGSRT with image guidance. The stakes are too high for patients, particularly seniors, to lose access to a proven, non-invasive cancer treatment that aligns with modern standards of care.