Cancer clinics closing around the country

[Guest guest]

Support crumbles for community cancer clinics By Greg Freiherr Dated August 9,

2010

" There was a time when a cancer diagnosis meant long commutes for patients in

small communities and rural America. The kind of care they needed was available

only at tertiary medical centers, typically in metropolitan areas. An expanded

network of community cancer clinics changed that, providing convenience and

comfort for many thousands of patients. A few years ago those centers were

treating four out of five U.S. cancer patients. But now this net of care

providers is collapsing under the weight of falling Medicare reimbursement.

" In the past three years, 166 community cancer clinics have closed in the U.S.

and it is getting worse, according to the Community Oncology Alliance, which

warns that the pace of closings has been increasing since January 2010. Since

the beginning of this year alone, 39 community cancer clinics in 15 states have

closed or are in the process of closing. If this trend continues, the number of

shuttered clinics could double by the end of this year.

" And this is only the most visible fallout. Cuts to Medicare reimbursement are

causing administrators at remaining community cancer facilities reduce staff and

services. Closures and cutbacks are forcing patients to seek treatment outside

their communities. But many cannot travel the distances required to get

treatment, according to oncologist Eagle, MD, newly elected COA president.

Underscoring the impact of these cuts is the fact that about half of all U.S.

cancer patients are covered by Medicare.

" Eagle estimates that Medicare cuts have affected more than 850 clinics in the

U.S. This number includes facilities that have closed their doors; are

struggling to pay bills; or have been acquired by hospitals or other entities.

Rural practices and those with higher proportions of Medicare and Medicaid

patients are particularly hard hit.

" Medicare payment for the administration of chemotherapy has been cut by 35%

since 2004, which is an effective cut of 47% when you factor in the increase in

the Medical Economic Index. Medicare is scheduled to make additional payment

cuts in each of the next three years. A study completed by Avalere Health shows

that Medicare covers only 57% of the cost of providing this critical component

of cancer care. Medicare is also cutting tests, such as PET and CT scans,

typically used to evaluate cancer patients.

" This could cause deeply seated problems that will plague healthcare in the U.S.

for years to come. The National Analysts research and consulting firm reports

that 20% of oncologists would discourage a medical student/resident from

pursuing a career in oncology while only 3% would have done so in 2003, prior to

the problems caused by year-over-year Medicare cuts. This will exacerbate an

anticipated shortage likely to be caused by the retirement of currently

practicing oncologists. By 2020, pundits estimate there will be a shortage of

4,080 oncologists.

“The government has to act now to stop Medicare cuts in order to preserve our

nation’s cancer care delivery system before it’s too late,” said Ted Okon, COA

executive director. “Unrealistic payment policies are pushing (our cancer care

delivery system) off a cliff.”

http://www.cancernetwork.com/news/display/article/10165/1636045?GUID=8DC59E1F-14\

27-4EFF-AC52-DD957B592019 & rememberme=1

FYI,

Lottie Duthu