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Insurance Disruptions & the Cost of COVID-19
... coverage disruptions are costly because cancer patients like Franklin who have already met their deductible and maximums near the beginning of the year must pay another deductible and reach their new maximum out-of-pocket amount when they start their new insurance plan. And this problem ... who has prostate cancer, already spent $3,000 on his cancer treatment when he lost his job in layoffs related to COVID-19. Starting a new plan cost him another $8,000 to pay his new deductible and out-of-pocket maximum. By the end of the year, Franklin will have spent almost 3 times more ... disruptions aren’t the only cost of COVID-19 for cancer patients. The pandemic has also resulted in delayed or canceled appointments, which can allow a patient’s cancer to grow, leading to higher treatment costs and worse health outcomes. ACS CAN Fights for Solutions ACS CAN is ...
Spikes in Cost Increase the Burden of Affording Cancer Care
... vulnerable to spikes in their health care costs because many expensive diagnostic tests and treatments are scheduled within a short period of time, so cancer patients spend their deductible and out-of-pocket maximum quickly. These costs can be difficult to manage over the course of a year, and most monthly budgets simply can’t afford these large bills. Over the two years that Carla is in treatment for stage III breast cancer, she experiences a spike in cost of over $8,000 in the first two months of each year. While she may be able to afford to spend this much on her care spread over the whole ...
Overall Cancer Costs are Rising
The Problem The U.S. spent approximately $183 billion on cancer-related health care in 2015. This represents a signification portion of the total health care spending in the U.S. And it is expected to keep growing. By 2030 cancer-related health care spending is expected to reach ... These high costs are paid by many people – individual cancer patients and their families, employers, insurance companies and taxpayers. ACS CAN Fights for Solutions ACS CAN wants to ensure that all individuals can afford the right health care services at the right time, no matter where ... policymakers must focus on ensuring affordable access to insurance coverage and health care services, and reducing the overall financial impact of cancer for patients and families. Policymakers can also limit costs of cancer by pursuing policies that promote cancer prevention and early ...
Some Insurance Plans Come with Higher Patient Costs
... helped individuals with pre-existing conditions like cancer access comprehensive health insurance and afford their care. But the law is at risk of being dismantled. The risks of losing ACA protections are clear when you look at current plans that do not have to play by ACA rules. Short-term limited duration plans often ... or other unwelcomed surprises like excluding coverage for a cancer diagnosis as a ‘pre-existing condition.’ For patients with cancer, this can lead to astronomical costs and difficulty affording care. Brian has Stage II lymphoma. When he has a plan that does not include ACA ...
High Deductible Health Plans Cause Extreme Spikes in Cost
The Problem Most patients experience spikes in their health care costs around the time of a cancer diagnosis as they pay their deductible and out-of-pocket maximum. For patients on high deductible plans, this spike can mean bills due for several thousands of dollars within one month. High deductibles often cause individuals to delay or forego care due to cost, which means it may take longer to get a cancer diagnosis and begin life-saving care. And the number of people enrolling in high deductible ...
Survivor Views: Surprise Billing and Prescription Cost and Coverage Survey Findings Summary
Overview: The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) established Survivor Views in January 2019. The project has established a cohort of 3,055 cancer patients and survivors diagnosed with and/or treated for cancer within the last five years who are willing to share their opinions ... In October 2019, Survivor Views conducted a cohort survey focused on their experiences accessing and paying for cancer care, including the cost of prescription drugs and their experiences receiving surprise bills. One thousand three hundred and ninety-two cohort members responded to ...
Quick Summary: Final Version of 2025 Budget Reconciliation Legislation
On July 3, 2025, Congress passed the final version of its 2025 budget reconciliation legislation . The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network strongly opposed the health changes included in ... eligibility for Medicaid coverage – this will cause many individuals to lose coverage not because they are unemployed, but because they can’t navigate the bureaucratic process to prove they are working or deserve an exemption. To be implemented by January 1, 2027. Some states may choose to implement earlier through waivers. Charging cost-sharing to Medicaid enrollees living just barely over the poverty line – which will force working families to choose between health care and ...
Survivor Views: Majority Less Likely to Get Recommended Screenings if Coverage is Lost
Overview The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) empowers advocates across the country to make their voices heard and influence evidence-based public policy change, as well as legislative and regulatory solutions that will reduce the cancer burden. As part of this effort, ACS CAN deploys surveys to better understand cancer patient and survivor experiences and perspectives, through our Survivor Views ... less likely to stay up to date with preventive care if the provision mandating 100% coverage was repealed, resulting in a patient out-of-pocket cost for these services. Fifty-three percent put the dollar amount that would present a barrier to accessing preventive services at less than $200. ...
Survivor Views: Open Enrollment
Overview The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) empowers advocates across the country to make their voices heard and influence evidence-based public policy change, as well as legislative and regulatory solutions that will reduce the cancer burden. As part of this effort, ACS CAN deploys surveys to better understand cancer patient and survivor experiences and perspectives, through our Survivor Views ... of at least $1,400 per individual or $2,800 per family. Majorities of those enrolled in high deductible plans say it was their only choice. Cost is considered the most important factor when it comes to comparing coverage options (43%), but the right mix of covered benefits is also ...
Factors Influencing Cancer Disparities
The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) believes everyone should have a fair and just opportunity to prevent, detect, treat, and survive cancer. No one should be disadvantaged in their fight against cancer because of income, race, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability status, or where they live. From preventive screening and early detection, through ... with cancer. Clinical trials are also a key part of research and enable the development of better drugs and treatments for cancer. However, cost is often a barrier to enrollment because trial participants are frequently responsible for non-medical costs such as transportation and ...