Program Information
Economic Issues in Medical Physics
B Dirksen
W Smith Fuss
B Kavanagh
B Dirksen1*, W Smith Fuss2*, B Kavanagh3*, (1) Mercy Medical Center, Coralville, IA, (2) Health Policy Solutions, Delray Beach, FL, (3) University of Colorado Health Science, Aurora, CO
Presentations
1:45 PM : Why Economics Matters - B Dirksen, Presenting Author2:25 PM : CMS Proposed Rules for 2018 - W Smith Fuss, Presenting Author
3:05 PM : Economic Future of Medical Physics - B Kavanagh, Presenting Author
WE-F-108-0 (Wednesday, August 2, 2017) 1:45 PM - 3:45 PM Room: 108
Why Economics Matters – Blake Dirksen
The purpose of this session is to introduce attendees to the United States healthcare reimbursement system and how it applies to the clinical work of a Medical Physicist. This will include general information about the different categories of payers and payees, how work is described by CPT© codes, and how various payers set values for this work in different clinical settings.
The history of payment for medical physics work can be instructive as we continue to see changes in healthcare reimbursement models. We will briefly review the history of payment systems, in particular Medicare, and how this history has impacted medical physics.
Lastly, the presentation will also discuss resources that can be used by members to communicate effectively with administrators when discussing staffing and capitol purchases. This will include a discussion of how the AAPM advocates for Medical Physics reimbursement and how members can get involved.
Learning Objectives
1. Understand the differences in payment systems in a hospital vs a free-standing setting.
2. Understand how valuations are set in the HOPPS and MPFS settings.
3. An overview of US healthcare history focusing on Medicare.
4. How the healthcare system has changed and how that has impacted Medical Physics.
2017 Economics Update – Wendy Smith Fuss
2018 will be another year of significant changes to the American healthcare system. This presentation will describe changes in the CMS proposed rules for 2018. In particular, a review of changes that impact radiation oncology.
A discussion of the Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System (HOPPS), the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS), and the ambulatory surgery settings will be discussed. Lastly, an overview of the resources available to membership and tips for interacting with the professional economics committee will be provided.
Learning Objectives
1. Basic understanding of the 2018 HOPPS proposed rule and its impact on medical physics.
2. Basic understanding of the 2018 MPFS proposed rule and its impact on medical physics.
3. Describe economics and policy resources that are available from the AAPM and how to interact with the professional economics committee.
The possible future of Medical Physics Economics in Radiation Oncology – Dr. Brian Kavanagh
There has been momentum generated across the entire house of medicine toward steering away from a traditional fee-for-service reimbursement construct toward value-driven alternative payment models (APMs). The drivers are both external and internal.
Stakeholders in the field of radiation oncology have approached the unique challenges of how to define quality metrics and fair reimbursement in a radiation oncology-specific APM. The pathway toward developing an operational model within this field includes many hurdles, and this work-in-progress will be discussed.
Learning objectives:
1. Understand examples of alternative payment models that have emerged in several areas of medicine, including oncology
2. Recognize the practical challenges of designing and implementing an APM in the field of radiation oncology
3. Appreciate the possible implications for medical physics in an APM-based system
Handouts
- 127-35720-425554-125554-564806082.pdf (B Dirksen)
- 127-35722-425554-127420.pdf (B Kavanagh)
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