The ROCR Act Continues to Gain Steam

The bipartisan Radiation Oncology Case Rate (ROCR) Value-Based Program Act of 2025 aims to modernize Medicare reimbursement for radiation therapy by shifting from a fee-for-service model to a bundled, episode-based payment structure. Introduced by a bipartisan group of lawmakers in March 2025, the bill is designed to improve patient access, especially for rural and underserved communities, while ensuring care remains high-quality and evidence-based. Radiation oncology has faced a 23% Medicare reimbursement decline over the past decade, threatening financial stability and patient access — a trend the ROCR Act seeks to reverse. The new model attempts to encourage the use of shorter, more effective regimens and align payments with quality, not volume. It also emphasizes practice accreditation, patient safety, and equitable access to innovative care. Supporters note that the legislation is projected to save Medicare $200 million over ten years without compromising outcomes. Leaders from both the government and the American Society for Radiation Oncology have endorsed the bill as the best solution for stabilizing payment and improving cancer care delivery nationwide.