CMS plans to push back the start of the Radiation Oncology model to July 1, the agency said Wednesday.
The experimental payment model was scheduled to begin Jan. 1. But CMS said it would delay it after several stakeholders told the agency it would be too difficult to put into practice by the beginning of next year.
The radiation oncology model is supposed to test whether making 90-day bundled payments for radiation therapy maintains or improves the quality of care that Medicare beneficiaries receive and reduces Medicare spending compared to traditional fee-for-service. According to CMS, the pilot will save the federal government $230 million over five years.
CMS thinks patients could benefit from fewer treatments and better outcomes under the new payment model.
