Wiki Radiation Therapy

[jenp2005]

Can anyone tell me the CMS guidelines and where I can find the information for whether a Radiation Oncologists needs to be in the building when Radiation is given. We have a Cancer Center in a rural setting and the Radiation Oncologist is in the office three days a week but treatment is given five days a week. There is also a Medical Oncologist that is in the building five days a week. Does the Medical Oncologist provide enough coverage to continue treating patients five days a week?
Thanks,

 

[teblizzy]

For 2014 the non-enforcement of the direct supervision requirements was removed. As of 1/1/14 even rural designated clinics and Critical Access Hospitals (CAH) must adhere to the direct supervision requirements. CMS has also detailed the need for the supervising physician to be trained in the specialty for which they are providing supervision. The Medicare Benefit Policy Manual Ch. 6 Sec 20.5 gives good condensed info. Otherwise the HOPPS Final Rule for 2010 has a lot of detail and the one for 2014 will have info about rural and CAH designations.

Teri Bedard, BA, RT(R)(T), CPC