The "Hypofractionation" Standard and the ROCR Act
The economic and operational model of radiation oncology has undergone its most significant shift in over a decade due to the implementation of the Radiation Oncology Case Rate (ROCR) Act on January 1, 2026.
Extreme Hypofractionation (SBRT): Landmark trials reaching fruition in 2026 have made Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT) the preferred standard for lung, prostate, and breast cancers. Treatments that once took 6–8 weeks (conventional fractionation) are now routinely completed in 1.5 weeks or even a single session.
The ROCR Reimbursement Shift: To align with these shorter treatment courses, 2026 Medicare and private payer policies have moved to a "Case Rate" payment model. This provides financial stability to clinics by paying a flat fee per diagnosis, incentivizing the use of advanced, shorter-course technologies like MR-LINAC and Proton Therapy.
Global Market Expansion: The radiation oncology market is projected to reach $13.87 billion in 2026. While North America leads in high-tech infrastructure, the Asia-Pacific region is the fastest-growing market, driven by the rapid build-out of particle therapy centers and the adoption of AI-driven planning to manage high patient volumes.