Are Clinical Trials Costing Too Much?

[Guest guest]

September 24, 2008 - Members of Medicare's Health Maintenance

Organization (HMO) plans might not be able to participate in cancer clinical

trials because the federal health insurance does not adequately cover patients'

costs, according to a new study presented at the American Society for

Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology (ASTRO) 50th Annual Meeting, in Boston,

Massachusetts.

" Out-of-pocket payment [required by Medicare's HMO plans] is a

financial barrier to participation, " said Chyongchiou Lin, PhD, lead author of

the study and associate professor of health economics at the University of

Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, in Pennsylvania. She called for a re-examination of

Medicare's policies. Under Medicare's HMO plans, which cover people 65 years

and older, patients are required to pay both a deductible and 20% of all

allowable costs, Dr. Lin explained to reporters at a press briefing.

The researchers evaluated the monthly out-of-pocket costs of 4

clinical trials offered to cancer patients at the university's cancer centers.

The monthly costs ranged from $112.80 to $3082.80, which included treatment and

drug charges, she said. It is devastating enough to get a diagnosis of cancer.

That impact is likely to be compounded if you cannot participate in a clinical

trial for financial reasons.

Medicare's HMO payment policy contributes to the underrepresentation

of older Americans in clinical trials. " Two thirds of cancer patients are age 65

or older, with 60% of new cancers and 70% of cancer-related deaths occurring in

this age group. In the new study, the percentage of patients insured by

Medicare HMOs increased annually.

Medicare fee-for-service plans fully reimburse the costs for all

services included in the clinical research protocol. In effect, access to

state-of-the-art care is limited for some of society's most vulnerable members.

American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology (ASTRO) 50th

Annual Meeting: Abstract 1055. Presented September 23, 2008.

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/581020?sssdmh=dm1.388157 & src=nlconfnews & spon\

=7 & uac=

Thought some of you might have a personal interest in this article

from Medscape.

Blessings,

Lottie