New hope for Medicare patients with cancer

Out-of-pocket costs can be a huge burden for Medicare patients with cancer.

The average Medicare cancer patient spends $8,115 a year out-of-pocket for care, which is 23.7 percent of their income, according to a recent John Hopkins study.

Some paid as much as 63 percent of their income for cancer care. Research shows hospitalizations accounted for a large share of the costs.

While the burden was heaviest for those with no additional insurance coverage, consumers with gap policies and employer insurance still faced high bills.

“The health shock can be followed by financial toxicity,” an author, Lauren Hersch Nicholas, said in a John Hopkins news release. “In many cases, doctors can bring you back to health, but it can be tremendously expensive and a lot of treatments are given without a discussion of the costs or the financial consequences.”

Cancer treatments contribute more to health care costs in the United States than treatment for any other disease, according to the study.

However, a new program from Johns Hopkins Hospital has been highly effective with reducing costs.

Johns Hopkins created an urgent care facility specifically for cancer patients. The facility is one of about a half dozen like it nationwide.

“The urgent care center’s patients don’t just get better, more efficient care,” Sharon Krumm, director of nursing administration told the Baltimore Sun. “Avoiding hospitalizations is significantly lowering costs for patients and reducing the burden on the health care system.”

Patients were able to call ahead and set appointments during regular business hours. They could also call for medical advice.

Another option is an online messaging system, which would allow patients to communicate directly with their doctors, suggested Lindsay Conway, managing director of The Advisory Board Co., which provides research and consulting to hospitals.

How have you been affected by rising health care costs? Have you found ways to save money while still getting high-quality care? Share your story with Voices for Affordable Health.