Congress Urges Reevaluation of Medicare Cuts for Skin Cancer Therapy

Five members of Congress are urgently requesting a reevaluation of the substantial Medicare payment reduction impacting image-guided superficial radiation therapy, a crucial treatment for certain skin cancers. Addressing their concerns in a letter to CMS Administrator Mehmet Oz, MD, and HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the lawmakers emphasize the need to reconsider these changes due to their potential effects on patient care and healthcare affordability.

Senators Eric Schmitt and Roger Marshall, MD, along with Representatives Ronny Jackson, MD, Brian Jack, and Carol Miller, have collectively voiced their opposition, urging a delay in the reduction's implementation. Their intent is to sustain access to essential treatments while promoting healthcare quality for seniors. Meanwhile, CMS has proposed broader cuts, including a 1.68% decrease in Medicare physician base rates for 2027, as part of a strategic update involving accountable care organization payments and the phaseout of the MIPS quality-reporting program.

These developments highlight ongoing debates between dermatologists and radiation oncologists concerning Medicare reimbursement structures. While CMS and the American Medical Association have historically sided with radiation oncologists, dermatologists argue that the cuts will limit patient access, especially in rural areas. Kerwin Brandt, CEO of SkinCure Oncology, reports over 160 dermatology practices have stopped offering this therapy post-revision, underscoring the implications for underserved communities. CMS continues to invite stakeholder input, affirming its commitment to engaging in discussions regarding future regulatory compliance and payment methodologies.