Impact of Increasing Out-of-Pocket Costs for Insured Cancer Patients

May 17, 2009 Health plans are increasingly shifting costs to plan members to share the burden of rising health care costs. A survey of the published literature and conference presentations was conducted to examine the contributors and burden of out-of-pocket costs (OPCs) for persons with diagnosed cancer. This review indicates that the OPCs for cancer patients covered by health plans are increasing and becoming a financial burden that may be exacerbated by a concomitant loss of income. Furthermore, caregivers also acquire certain costs in the care of patients, such as loss of income or prospects for career advancement. The trend toward cost shifting may also have a negative impact on patient care. Further study of this issue is warranted and should include a complete analysis of all patient costs to gauge the full impact on the quality of medical care. Health plans need to evaluate whether pursuing cost-shifting strategies is in the best interests of both patients and health plans over the long term. (Drug Benefit Trends. 2009;21:145-153)