Health Policy Fellowship
As the leading organization in radiation oncology, ASTRO advocates on behalf of radiation oncologists in today’s rapidly evolving health care environment. ASTRO is an active and engaged participant on several health policy fronts, including radiation oncology code development and valuation, coding guidance, payer engagement and payment reform. The purpose of the Health Policy Fellowship is to support ASTRO members who are interested in becoming future ASTRO health policy leaders by gaining a deeper understanding of these issues and providing subject matter expertise on ASTRO’s health policy initiatives.
Program
The ASTRO Health Policy Fellowship is a year-long program designed to provide exposure to ASTRO’s health policy reimbursement and coding activities and to develop the next generation of ASTRO health policy leaders, who will be expected to remain highly active and engaged in the ongoing health policy activities of the Society.
Specifically, ASTRO Health Policy Fellows will:
- Develop competency and leadership in the creation, revision and valuation of radiation oncology CPT codes through the AMA CPT and RUC processes.
- Observe and develop the capacity to participate in AMA CPT Editorial Panel and RUC meetings.
- Develop a high-level understanding of radiation oncology coding and coding guidance, including updating ASTRO’s Coding Resource.
- Understand and learn to strategize on Medicare and third-party payer reimbursement and coverage issues, including the physician fee schedule and hospital outpatient payment rules.
- Gain knowledge about ASTRO’s Payment Reform Workgroup activities and help innovate on the implementation of new models.
Upon completion of the Health Policy Fellowship Program, candidates will be able to demonstrate their competency in the various health policy issues, and specifically the CPT/RUC processes. Additionally, upon completion of the Health Policy Fellowship Program, candidates will be asked to complete an evaluation of the program.
Qualifications:
- Must be a Board-certified Radiation Oncologist or Medical Physicist.
- Must have at least five years of practice experience.
- Must be an ASTRO member.
Selection Criteria
- Involvement in ASTRO’s Health Policy Code Utilization and Application Subcommittee (CUAC), Payer Relations Subcommittee (PRC), and/or Code Development and Valuation Subcommittee (CDVC).
- Background and/or experience in radiation oncology coding and/or reimbursement issues.
- Statement of interest.
- Honors and recognitions in the field of radiation oncology.
- Strong interpersonal and presentation skills, and the ability to work collaboratively.
- Ability and support to commit significant time to attend meetings and conference calls.
Key Dates
- September 13, 2024: Application Submission Deadline
- September 29 – October 2: ASTRO Annual Meeting
- HP Fellow Orientation (date TBD)
- December 7, 2024: ASTRO Virtual Coding and Coverage Seminar
- January 15-18, 2025: RUC Meeting
- February 6-8, 2025: CPT Meeting
