arrow_back Back to App

New Medicare Payment System for Radiation Therapy: Quality and Transportation Aid.

This law establishes a new bundled payment system under Medicare for the entire episode of radiation oncology treatment, replacing the current fee-for-service model. The goal is to enhance the quality of care, stabilize costs, and significantly improve patient access, especially by funding free or discounted transportation for beneficiaries facing travel difficulties. This change aims to ensure patients can complete their necessary treatments without financial or logistical barriers related to travel.
Key points
Medicare shifts radiation therapy payments to a single, fixed rate per episode of care, encouraging efficiency and patient-centered treatment.
A new $500+ add-on payment is created to fund free or discounted transportation services for patients who struggle with getting to their radiation appointments.
Most radiation therapy providers must meet specific quality accreditation standards to receive full payments, ensuring higher standards of care.
Savings generated by this new program will not be used to reduce payment rates in other parts of the Medicare program.
article Official text account_balance Process page
Expired
Citizen Poll
No votes cast
Additional Information
Print number: 118_HR_8404
Sponsor: Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1]
Process start date: 2024-05-15