Bill > S1031

This bill establishes the Radiation Oncology Case Rate (ROCR) Value Based Payment Program, which aims to create a more comprehensive and patient-centered approach to radiation therapy services for Medicare beneficiaries. The bill creates a new payment model for radiation therapy that includes per-episode payments to radiation therapy providers, with several key goals: creating stable payments for radiation therapy services, reducing disparities in care, enhancing treatment quality, encouraging advanced technologies, and protecting Medicare resources. A notable feature is the health equity add-on payment of $500 per patient (increasing by $10 annually) for patients experiencing transportation insecurity, which providers can use to help patients access treatment. The program will initially cover 15 specific cancer types and requires providers to meet accreditation standards, with potential payment increases or reductions based on compliance. The bill also modifies existing laws to allow providers to offer free or discounted transportation to patients without legal risk, and exempts the program from budget neutrality requirements to ensure its financial feasibility. Providers will be largely required to participate, though some exceptions exist for providers experiencing significant hardship or participating in other innovative payment models.

Budget and Finance

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/1031/all-info