Bill · S. 1031· Senate(119-S-1031)
Radiation Oncology Case Rate Value Based Program Act of 2025
A bill to amend Title XVIII of the Social Security Act to create a Radiation Oncology Case Rate Value Based Payment Program exempt from budget neutrality adjustment requirements, and to amend section 1128A of title XI of the Social Security Act to create a new statutory exception for the provision of free or discounted transportation for radiation oncology patients to receive radiation therapy services.
- Introduced
- 3/13/2025
- Last activity
- 3/13/2025 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
- Sponsored by
- Thomas Tillis
- Cosponsors
- - 4 - 2
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill establishes the Radiation Oncology Case Rate Value Based Payment Program (ROCR Program) to change how Medicare pays for radiation therapy. The program moves toward per-episode payments to provide more stable and unified payments for cancer treatments. It aims to improve care quality, encourage the use of new technology, and reduce disparities in access. The legislation also creates a specific add-on payment to help patients with transportation insecurity. Additionally, it establishes legal exceptions to allow providers to offer free or discounted transportation to patients.
Yes· 3 of 8
Does this make health care easier to get in general?+7
The bill improves access to radiation therapy by addressing transportation insecurity and aiming to reduce care disparities.
Would people over 65 be better off under this?+6
The bill benefits Medicare-eligible seniors by improving access to radiation oncology services.
Would retired people be better off under this?+6
The program enhances care stability and access for Medicare beneficiaries, many of whom are retirees.
The opposite
Would business owners be better off under this?-2
Providers may face payment reductions if they do not meet specific accreditation requirements.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Stable and Unified Payments: The ROCR Program seeks to create stable, unified payments for radiation therapy services (Section 3, subsection (a)(3)(A)).
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Increased Access and Reduced Disparities: The program aims to reduce disparities in care by increasing access to services close to where patients live (Section 3, subsection (a)(3)(B)).
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Improved Quality of Care: The program intends to enhance care quality through practice accreditation and shorter treatment courses (Section 3, subsection (a)(3)(C)).
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Technology Advancement: The program encourages the use of state-of-the-art technology to improve patient outcomes (Section 3, subsection (a)(3)(D)).
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Support for Transportation Needs: An add-on payment is provided to help patients access and complete treatments by addressing transportation insecurity (Section 3, subsection (g)(1)).
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Flexible Payment for Coinsurance: Providers may collect coinsurance in multiple installments under a payment plan (Section 3, subsection (e)(1)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Potential Payment Reductions for Providers: The ROCR Program includes a provision where payments may be reduced by 2.5 percent if a provider does not meet specific accreditation requirements (Section 3, subsection (h)(1)(B)).
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Budgetary Savings Adjustments: The Secretary is authorized to apply a savings adjustment to reduce payment rates to achieve Medicare savings (Section 3, subsection (d)(3)(B)).
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Mandatory Participation Requirements: Most radiation therapy providers and suppliers participating in Medicare will be required to participate in the ROCR Program (Section 3, subsection (f)(1)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Retirees+6Good For Seniors+6Good For Low Income Households+5Good For Rural Residents+4Good For Business Owners-2
- Healthcare
- Improves Healthcare Access+7Increases Medicare Funding+1
- Economy And Finance
- Reduces Government Spending+1
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Rural Development+1
- 9/17/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 7/16/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 4/28/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 7/15/2025
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 3/13/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in Senate
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Shelley CapitoRepublican · West Virginia
Christopher CoonsDemocrat · Delaware
Steve DainesRepublican · Montana
Roger MarshallRepublican · Kansas
Gary PetersDemocrat · Michigan
Dan SullivanRepublican · Alaska