Preventing financial hardship from cancer

TheoryLab

The financial burden that can result from cancer treatment is a widespread problem that not only affects quality of life—it can also affect care and outcomes for patients. But many of the things that lead to financial hardship can be changed, like health insurance coverage and communication with providers about anticipated costs of care. Robin Yabroff, PhD—Senior Scientific Director of Health Services Research at the American Cancer Society—is leading the way in research into why and how financial problems affect cancer patients and survivors. 4:33 – On how expensive it is to go through cancer treatment, the variation in cost for different types of cancer, and financial challenges that are unique to cancer survivors 6:50 – On different categories of financial hardship: material, psychological and coping. 9:29 – Is financial hardship a common concern for cancer patients? 12:00 – An age group of cancer patients that tends to be more impacted by financial hardship 15:33 – How health insurers have been shifting cost to patients with higher deductibles, co-payments, and co-insurance 18:30 – The cumulative financial burden of patients: “They might not be experiencing financial hardship within the first month or two of treatment, but by 12 months after cancer treatment has started, a recent study showed 75% of cancer survivors reported things like having to refinance their house, taking out major debt, or having a change in income of at least 20 percent…” 20:14 – How consistent findings on financial hardship are, regardless of patient population, time since diagnosis, type of financial hardship, etc. 23:38 – Where she sees the greatest potential for impact 28:17 – On what’s next and how her team’s findings have a real-world impact. For example, recent findings were included in an amicus brief to the Supreme Court in a pending case 32:16 – Resources that the American Cancer Society provides to help cancer survivors 32:53 – Advice she has for cancer patients, survivors, and caregivers