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What Are the Cost Drivers for These Cancer Types?
J Med Econ; ePub 2017 Jul 3; Sagar, et al
Certain costs related to 3 types of cancer do not appear to be adequately accounted for, according to a study involving >9,700 individuals. Investigators looked at claims data of participants diagnosed with breast, lung, or colorectal cancer after initial chemotherapy during 2014 and 2015. They quantified the impact of key cost factors during the first 6 months of illness. Among the results:
- Costs for all 3 cancer types were driven by metastasis, facility provider affiliation, episode risk group risk score, and radiation.
- Costs for breast cancer were also driven by younger age and human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 oncogene overexpression-directed therapy.
- Costs for colorectal cancer were also driven by younger age and female gender.
- Metastasis was linked with 50% more hospital admissions and increased hospital length of stay in all 3 cancer types.
- Chemotherapy and supportive drug therapies accounted for most (48%) of the total cost.
Sagar B, Lin Y, Castel L. Cost drivers for breast, lung, and colorectal cancer care in a commercially insured population over a 6-month episode: An economic analysis from a health plan perspective. [Published online ahead of print July 3, 2017]. J Med Econ. doi:10.1080/13696998.2017.1339353.