A recent study highlights some key trends in cancer treatment cost. The total medical cost of cancer has nearly doubled in the last 20 years, a trend that mirrors trends in aggregate health spending. The distribution of cancer-related treatment costs has also changed, with a larger share of costs paid by Medicaid. But even with these changes, the burden of cancer treatment is far from over. These trends, coupled with the high percentage of outpatient cancer care provided by Medicaid, suggest that the burden of paying for cancer treatment continues to rise.
Physical therapy
If you are in need of physical therapy as part of your cancer treatment, it’s important to keep in mind the cost involved. Cancer treatments can lead to physical problems, including reduced bone density, shortness of breath, and difficulty walking. However, physical therapy can help patients avoid these problems and maximize their quality of life. Physical therapists can help cancer patients develop specialized treatment plans and can help them recover from their disease.
The cost of cancer treatment is not only driven by direct medical costs, but also by indirect costs, including loss of job, disability pension, and absenteeism. Many patients face significant financial strain, affecting their quality of life, adherence to treatments, and survival. Unfortunately, many cancer survivors face financial hardship during treatment, and the financial burden exacerbates their conditions. While these programs can improve the quality of life of cancer patients, they may have very low or no impact on the cost of care.
Mental health therapy
The cost of mental health therapy for cancer patients is much higher than for those without cancer. A recent study found that cancer patients with mental health disorders incur an average of 113% higher costs than those without any mental health disorders. On average, these patients spent $235,337 a year on medical care. This means that it is more expensive for patients with depression to receive mental health therapy than for those without any mental health disorders.
Many health insurance plans cover counseling costs. However, some may require a co-payment. Mental health counselors have higher training, so they may charge more than a licensed social worker or clinical psychologist. Private practice counseling usually costs more than group therapy. In addition, group counseling is less expensive than one-on-one counseling, and most cancer support groups are free. The cost of a single counseling session will depend on the counselor’s location.
Prescription drug costs
The cost of prescription drugs for cancer treatment has escalated rapidly, exceeding inflation rates. This has resulted in harm to patients, many of whom delay or even skip treatments because of cost. Missed doses of cancer drugs can lead to hospitalization and downstream spending. This article explores ways to reduce cancer drug costs. To make the most of this article, please read Part 2 of this article. Part 2 of this article will discuss the role of VA PBMs in controlling costs.
Currently, cancer drug prices are based on Medicare reimbursement rates and the year of approval for each drug. You can download a power point slide showing the average cost of a cancer drug, with information including generic and brand names, FDA approval date, and monthly costs in 2014 dollars or actual dollars. The slides also explain how the price is calculated. It’s important to understand cancer drug prices before making a treatment decision.
Outpatient hospitalization related costs
Among the most expensive medical conditions, breast cancer is the most expensive. The disease not only affects women but also places a high burden on the social health insurance system. Costs for the disease show an irrational pattern, with patients relying on expensive inpatient services to get treatment. Promoting outpatient care, which is less invasive and more affordable, could reduce both costs and resource use.
Cancer-related expenditures by type were examined for patients with different cancer types. The most expensive was lung cancer, followed by colorectal cancer, testis cancer, and stomach cancer. Cancer type and age were significant determinants of cost per admission. Also, payment types influenced total expenditure. The mean for inpatient permissions was higher for Free Medical Service (FMS) patients than for others. The lowest mean outpatient hospitalization-related expenditures were found among those on the Poverty Relief Program.