​By: Ron DiGiaimo, MBA, FACHE, and Briauna Driggers

​The Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) determines how physicians are paid for their services and is essential in the healthcare reimbursement process. However, in the field of Radiation Oncology (RO), the current state of PFS has been facing consecutive years of significant challenges. 

​Navigating the complexities of radiation oncology billing is crucial for providers to ensure accurate payer contracting, claim submission, reimbursement, and compliance. This article delves into the distinctions between professional-only, technical-only, and global billing within the Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System (HOPPS) and the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) environments.

By: Briauna Driggers, Ron DiGiaimo, MBA, FACHE, Pamela Phipps, RN, BSN, CHONC, and Heather M. Nolting, RN, BSN, CHONC
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​Oncology nursing is a unique specialty within the nursing profession. It involves not only the care of patients with cancer but also the management of complex treatment protocols and emotional support for patients and their families. With an estimated five million nurse shortage by 2025, onboarding new nurses effectively is more crucial than ever. Two seasoned oncology nurses on the RCCS team, Pamela Phipps and Heather Nolting, sat down with RCCS CEO Ron DiGiaimo and Content Marketing Manager Briauna Driggers to discuss the nuances of oncology nursing and provide advice for new and upcoming nurses to be successful in this challenging and rewarding career.

​The financial stability of oncology practices has been a growing concern as physician reimbursement rates have steadily declined over the past couple of decades largely due to conversion factor reductions, amongst other things. On January 1, 2025, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) implemented a 2.8% reduction in physician payments, intensifying financial pressures on providers and raising broader concerns about workforce sustainability and patient access to care [1]. In late January, a bipartisan bill was introduced in Congress proposing a 6.6% payment increase, effective April through December 2025, aiming to offset the effects of the recent cut and stabilize physician reimbursement [2].

Osteoarthritis (OA) affects millions worldwide, leading to chronic pain, limited mobility, and decreased quality of life. While traditional treatments such as physical therapy, medications, and surgery remain common, radiation therapy (RT) is increasingly being adopted for the treatment of osteoarthritis (OA), providing promising relief of symptoms. Though not common in the United States, the concept of low-dose radiation to treat osteoarthritis has been around for decades. Incorporating RT for OA treatment in the United States presents new opportunities for patient care and introduces complexities in oncology billing practices. ​

​Small oncology practices face immense financial pressures to maintain state-of-the-art care facilities. These challenges, compounded by the necessity to keep up with cutting-edge medical technology and manage operational costs, make it essential for small oncology practices to find effective solutions across the revenue cycle. Partnering with an oncology billing company like RC Billing can help these practices navigate the demands of modern cancer care, ensuring they remain both clinically effective and economically viable.

​By: Ron DiGiaimo, MBA, FACHE, Cheryl Turner, EdD., R.T., (R)(T), and Briauna Driggers

​Immobilization devices are essential tools used in radiation therapy to ensure that radiation is delivered precisely to the targeted area while minimizing exposure to surrounding healthy tissues. This equipment plays a critical role in achieving effective and safe cancer treatment. 

Claim denials in radiation oncology are more than just a financial inconvenience — they're a drain on time, resources, and efficiency.

But did you know that up to 86% of denials are preventable? We've just released a white paper that digs into the most common causes of these denials and, more importantly, how to prevent them.

Download the white paper today to learn how your practice can recover lost revenue by addressing the root causes before they cost you more.
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