AMA Physician Practice Information Survey recommends a 40% cut to RT services
February 12, 2025
The American Medical Association (AMA) released a report summarizing the findings of the Physician Practice Information Survey (PPIS). The PPIS is used to develop the practice expense component of medical services as part of the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS). Practice expense or “PE” represents 75% of the value of an average radiation oncology CPT Code.
The report bundles radiation oncology services into a broader radiology category which includes diagnostic radiology, interventional radiology and nuclear medicine. It should be noted that Medicare recognizes 64 medical specialties, and several other specialties were cross walked to other specialties as well.
Based on a data response rate of 6.8%, the analysis recommends a PE Per Hour rate of $176.91. This is an almost 40% reduction from the existing PE Per Hour rate of $291.30 which was finalized in 2010. Below is a chart that compares the PE data points:
| Expense Category | 2010 Physician Time Weighted Radiation Oncology PE/HR | 2010 Physician Time Weighted Radiation Oncology PE/HR | Difference |
| Direct PE per hour | $126.20 | $58.79 | -53% |
| Indirect PE per hour | $165.10 | $118.12 | -28% |
| Total PE per hour | $291.30 | $176.91 | -39% |
While disappointed in the survey results, ASTRO is not surprised given the survey tool’s broad format that did not allow for more detailed data collection that would have captured the significant expenses associated with radiation therapy treatment. Anticipating that the AMA PPIS survey tool could yield limited data, ASTRO contracted with an expert consultant on the development of a survey tool that will be used to collect data from radiation oncology practices, providing a more comprehensive analysis of radiation oncology practice expense. Radiation oncology practices interested in assisting with ASTRO’s PE data collection effort should contact Anne Hubbard, Director of Health Policy 703-839-7394.
