Dr. Moshe Chasky Authors Letter to the Editor on Site Neutral Payments, Hospital Anti-Competitive Behavior

Dr. Moshe Chasky, a hematologist-oncologist at Alliance Cancer Specialists, authored a letter to the editor (LTE) published in The Washington Post on July 27, 2024. The LTE focuses on the payment disparity between hospital-affiliated providers and independent providers and how this is driving consolidation and incentivizing hospitals to engage in anti-competitive tactics. His LTE follows another op-ed, titled, “Medicare’s crazy payment system is creating monopolies in health care,” which called on Congress to pass site neutral payment reforms.

“These payment differentials incentivize hospitals to acquire independent practices to boost their revenue,” writes Dr. Chasky. “The differentials also drive health systems to further expand their market share through anti-competitive tactics. After my practice refused an acquisition attempt from a large health system, my oncology privileges were revoked — leaving me unable to provide care to my own cancer patients when they were admitted to the hospital. Restricting trusted care teams leaves patients confused, frustrated and in the dark. This trend is bad news for everyone — except hospitals.”

The LTE calls on Congress to pass The Lower Costs, More Transparency Act, which would reduce incentives for hospital-based consolidation.

This LTE is part of The Network’s ongoing efforts to raise awareness of site-of-service payment differentials and anti-competitive behavior from hospitals.