Association of Freestanding Radiation Oncology Centers

I would like to take a moment of your time to explain why you, the radiation oncologist working in a freestanding center, should maintain your membership in this organization.

AFROC, the Association of Freestanding Radiation Oncology Centers, was formed twenty years ago to represent our needs. But, you may ask, is AFROC still needed today? Are not the “big two” organizations, ASTRO and ACRO, able to do the job? After all, they are much bigger and better staffed.

The truth is, I am an enthusiastic supporter of the “big two.” I continue to believe they are vital to the specialty. Nevertheless, the “big two” do not—and cannot by their very nature—fully represent the special needs of the freestanding community.

The reasons that the “big two” cannot fully represent us are these:

1. Freestanding centers are regulated and reimbursed by different     rules than hospital-based centers.

2. In many cities, freestanding centers are in direct competition with     hospital-based departments.

3. The majority of members of the “big two” are physicians who work     in hospital-based departments.

AFROC speaks directly to the officials at CMS (the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services) to explain our distinct viewpoint. You know our concerns—things like the physician-presence rules and the reimbursement rates—where we perceive that the hospitals may have an unfair advantage. The proof that AFROC is effective can be summed up in one person: Diane Millman. Ms. Millman, who has represented AFROC since its inception, has deeper understanding of reimbursement issues than anyone else I know. The officials at CMS know this and listen to her.

After all, competition is the lifeblood of our country’s economy. I truly believe that when there is a freestanding radiation oncology center and a hospital-based center competing for the same market, the real winner is the patient. Therefore, let us demand a level playing field. Competition will work best when hospitals and freestanding departments have similar incentives and restrictions.

So you, the radiation oncologist working in a freestanding center, need AFROC. And, of course, AFROC needs you. We need you to financially support the organization with your membership dues. We also need you to participate in the organization. Plan to attend AFROC’s 19th annual meeting in Washington, D.C., on May 13 and 14, 2007. It provides a unique opportunity to network with kindred physicians and to hear from the folks in Washington who affect our practices so profoundly.

More immediately, you can participate in AFROC by e-mailing your concerns to our executive director, Sheila Gell (sgell@ppsv.com). I look forward to hearing from all of you.

Sincerely,

David J. Rice, M.D.
drice@rtsx.com