After cancer diagnosis, out-of-pocket costs jump, study says
The study analyzed a sample of over 46,000 patients from the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) cancer registry, examining responses from 2008 to 2019. The sample consisted of both patients with and without cancer to provide a control group. Within the sample group, breast cancer was the most common form of cancer (74.1 percent), followed by colorectal (14.5 percent) and lung cancer (11.4 percent). On average, out-of-pocket costs rose by a cumulative total of $4,144.71.
'This difference, driven by the onset of cancer diagnosis and its associated treatment, underscores the financial burden of cancer care on patients with insurance who are not yet eligible for Medicare,' the authors write in the study.
Cost also increased with stage of diagnosis. Patients with Stage 0 cancer saw an average increase of $462.01 per month, while Stage 4 patients' costs rose an average of $719.97 per month. The authors note that late-stage disease usually is associated with more treatment and higher medical expenditures.
This study has implications for policy reform, the researchers argue. 'The variability in [out-of-pocket costs] based on cancer stage underscores the need for policies such as paid sick leave, that address both insurance continuity and financial assistance, especially for patients with more advanced cancer,' they write.
— Hannah Docter-Loeb
This article is part of The Post's 'Big Number' series, which takes a brief look at the statistical aspect of health issues. Additional information and relevant research are available through the hyperlinks.
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