News & Events News Patients Forgo Costly Cancer Care
December 31, 2007 Physicians Avert Cut to Medicare Payments January 9, 2008 Study Estimates 27,000 Deaths Resulted from Lack of Health Insurance in 2007 January 17, 2008 NPAF Urges Action on Expanded Access Read All |
Patients Forgo Costly Cancer Care |
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Cancer patients who are already battling for their lives, are now being faced with the dilemma of paying for their expensive medications. Experts say that one in eight people with advanced cancer turned down recommended care because of the cost (Thomson Reuters). Not only as the prices of medication and treatment rise, insurance companies are requiring the patients to be responsible for more of the cost. Many plans now require patients to pay for 20% of their health care. This can be a profound burden on patients who are required to take drugs such as Erbitux, which costs $10,000 a month. According to a report done in September by the Center for Studying Health System Change, nearly 20% of Americans have problems paying their medical bills. In turn, some patients who resort to charities to aid cancer patients are also straining to meet the demands of the patients. This forces these patients who struggle with the costs to decide to pay for medication or forgo the treatment to care for their family.
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