Volume and distribution of radiotherapy performed by dermatologists from 2016 to 2021: A national Medicare trend analysis

To the Editor: Growing availability of superficial radiotherapy (SRT) devices and introduction of electronic brachytherapy (eBT) have prompted utilization of these modalities by dermatologists for nonmelanoma skin cancer. Each modality involves application of photon radiation to the skin in the outpatient setting over 5 to 12 (SRT) or 8 to 10 (eBT) fractionated sessions.1 We aimed to characterize eBT/SRT utilization and cost trends by dermatologists since 2016 given recent transition of several nonsuperficial radiotherapy services to the Outpatient Prospective Payment System, restrictions in billable services alongside eBT/SRT,2,3 and a final payment amount increase for SRT delivery in 2021.
Source: Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology - Category: Dermatology Authors: Tags: Research letter Source Type: research