Medical Cost of Cancer Care for Privately Insured Children in Chile

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Oncology
• Health Economics
• Public Health Policy

Background:

• Childhood cancer treatment incurs substantial global financial burdens for families.
• Medical care for pediatric cancer patients is complex and resource-intensive.
• Understanding the economic impact is crucial for developing supportive policies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To estimate the medical costs and out-of-pocket spending for childhood cancer care.
• To analyze cost variations based on patient demographics, cancer type, and services utilized.
• To assess the financial burden on families with privately insured children in Chile.

Main Methods:

• Utilized administrative records of privately insured children under 18 in Chile (2007-2018).
• Analyzed a sample of 3853 observations, examining total costs and out-of-pocket expenses.
• Disaggregated costs by patient characteristics, cancer type, and healthcare service.

Main Results:

• Average annual medical costs for childhood cancer were $32,287 in 2018, higher for younger children.
• Inpatient hospital care constituted the majority of costs across all cancer types.
• Total costs rose 20% and out-of-pocket expenses increased 29% in real terms from 2007-2018.

Conclusions:

• Private insurance beneficiaries face significant economic challenges due to pediatric cancer treatment costs.
• Reducing hospitalizations and implementing maximum out-of-pocket payment caps can mitigate financial strain.
• System-wide reforms are needed to prevent catastrophic expenditures for families managing childhood cancer.