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A proposal for the deinstitutionalization of patients
Health Care Management Review
|January 1, 1983
Summary
Outpatient cancer care saves insurers money but costs patients more. Reimbursing nonmedical expenses could remove financial barriers to receiving care outside the hospital.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Health Economics
- Healthcare Policy
Background:
- Outpatient cancer treatment is increasingly common and often medically appropriate.
- This shift offers significant cost savings for insurance providers.
- However, it leads to higher out-of-pocket expenses for patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the financial implications of outpatient cancer treatment for patients and insurers.
- To identify policy changes that could mitigate patient financial burden.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of healthcare cost data related to cancer patient treatment settings.
- Review of insurance reimbursement policies for medical and nonmedical expenses.
Main Results:
- Outpatient care significantly reduces overall healthcare system costs borne by insurers.
- Patients face substantial increases in nonmedical out-of-pocket costs (e.g., travel, lodging, lost wages).
Conclusions:
- Current insurance models incentivize deinstitutionalization for cost savings but create financial hardship for patients.
- Expanding reimbursement to include nonmedical out-of-pocket costs could eliminate this disincentive and improve patient access to appropriate care.