The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) is expressing concerns about a radiation oncology benefits management firm's new coverage policy for breast cancer treatment.
ASTRO is pressing eviCore of Bluffton, SC, not to move forward with the new policy, which it said mandates that "most breast and prostate cancer treatments use a shorter, hypofractionated radiation therapy regimen even if it runs counter to a physician's clinical recommendation."
This policy would hurt patients who are not candidates for short-course radiation therapy, including those with immunologic conditions and those who have previously undergone radiation therapy, according to ASTRO.
