Preventing financial hardship from cancer
The financial burden that can result from cancer treatment is a widespread problem that not only affects quality of life\u2014it can also affect care and outcomes for patients. \n\nBut 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.\n\nRobin Yabroff, PhD\u2014Senior Scientific Director of Health Services Research at the American Cancer Society\u2014is leading the way in research into why and how financial problems affect cancer patients and survivors. \n\n4:33 \u2013 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 \n\n6:50 \u2013 On different categories of financial hardship: material, psychological and coping. \n\n9:29 \u2013 Is financial hardship a common concern for cancer patients? \n\n12:00 \u2013 An age group of cancer patients that tends to be more impacted by financial hardship\n\n15:33 \u2013 How health insurers have been shifting cost to patients with higher deductibles, co-payments, and co-insurance\n\n18:30 \u2013 The cumulative financial burden of patients: \u201cThey 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\u2026\u201d\n\n20:14 \u2013 How consistent findings on financial hardship are, regardless of patient population, time since diagnosis, type of financial hardship, etc. \n\n23:38 \u2013 Where she sees the greatest potential for impact\n\n28:17 \u2013 On what\u2019s next and how her team\u2019s findings have a real-world impact. For example, recent findings were included in an amicus brief to the Supreme Court in a pending case\n\n32:16 \u2013 Resources that the American Cancer Society provides to help cancer survivors\n\n32:53 \u2013 Advice she has for cancer patients, survivors, and caregivers