Tremendous advances are made every day in the fight against cancer, but many promising treatments are costly, placing patients under enormous financial pressure. The challenges of increasing premiums, deductibles, and copayments affect many, with up to 61% of cancer patients facing difficulties in their care.1
Patients in Alabama Have a Choice in Cancer Care
Today, many independent oncology practices offer cancer care services equal or better to those provided by hospital outpatient departments, but at a much lower cost.2,3 According to data collected by the Community Oncology Alliance, cancer treatment can cost up to 50% less in an independent practice compared to a hospital outpatient department.4
Hospital outpatient departments frequently come with extra costs, including administration coverage and facility fees, which are billed to patients on top of their care. As a result, patients often face higher-than-anticipated hospital bills. The amount of these fees can vary significantly based on the provider, the services received, and the patient’s insurance coverage.
Several studies over the years have shown the value of independent oncology practices:
- Pancreatic Cancer: A 2022 study found that chemotherapy for metastatic pancreatic cancer was 41% cheaper at independent cancer centers compared to hospitals with patients showing equal or better outcomes than patients receiving the same regimen in a hospital setting.5
- Infused Oncology Drugs: A 2020 study revealed that hospitals charge significantly more for common cancer drugs—up to 428% more for certain drug treatments.6
- Check-Point Inhibitors: A study tracking patients receiving a check-point inhibitor for three years reported that moving patients from hospitals to community-based offices saved over $71,000 per patient annually.7
- 340B Drug Pricing Program: Even with program participation, hospitals markup outpatient infusion drugs for privately insured patients over six times more than independent practices.8
Radiation: Lower Costs, Same Impact
Radiation treatment follows the same trend. In 2022, a study referencing 16,818 insured patients found that radiation therapy costs were significantly lower in physician office settings than in hospitals. Same-day visits were 61.6% less expensive, and total treatment costs were 57.1% lower.9
Beyond the Cost of Cancer
While managing costs is important, the heart of healthcare lies in patient well-being and outcomes. Independent cancer centers offer a high level of expertise and compassionate care that can have profound impacts on the patient experience:
- Personalized Care: Independent cancer centers offer a level of attention and support that hospitals often cannot match.
- Reduced ER Visits: Patients that receive treatment from independent centers are 29% less likely to need emergency care post-chemotherapy—a testament to the thorough, attentive support they receive from their practice care team.
- Focus: Unlike hospitals, independent cancer centers are dedicated to cancer care, ensuring that every decision, every treatment, and every staff member is focused on one goal: beating cancer.
For access to cost-effective treatment, advanced technologies, and care from a staff patients know and trust, independent cancer centers are the right choice.
Southern Cancer Center is an independent practice with multiple locations in Alabama, including Mobile, Daphne, Foley and Huntsville. To learn more about our team and how we can help you with treatment and supportive care services, please contact us at (251) 625-6896 for patients along the Gulf Coast and (256) 265-1822 for patients in Huntsville.
SOURCES :
1. https://www.fight-cancer.org/releases/survey-majority-cancer-patients-struggle-afford-cancer-care
4. Value Of Community Oncology | Community Oncology Alliance
5. Costs by Site of Service for Commercially-Insured Patients with Metast | CEOR
6. Location, Location, Location: Cost Differences for Oncology Medicines Based on Site of Treatment
7. Cost differential of costly cancer therapies by site of care. | Journal of Clinical Oncology
8. Infusion Drug Mark-Ups Higher at Safety Net Hospitals | MedPage Today 9. Defining the Cost Variation by Site-of-Care for Radiotherapy: A Claims-Based Analysis – International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology, Physics
