Site Search

Share

X

Search Results

Out-of-Pocket Spending Limits Are Crucial for Cancer Patients & Survivors

Many patients with complex diseases like cancer find it difficult to afford their treatments – even when they have health insurance.  Current law establishes a limit on what most private insurance plans can require enrollees to pay in out-of-pocket costs. [1]   These limits protect patients from extremely high costs and are essential to any health care system that works for cancer patients and survivors. What is a Maximum Out-of-Pocket Limit (MOOP)? Out-of-pocket costs are the costs enrollees ...

Cancer in Medicare: An American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network Chartbook

... Program Basics Medicare Beneficiary Characteristics Cancer Screening and Prevention in the Medicare Program Medicare Expenditures for Cancer Care Improvements in Medicare Still Needed Policy Recommendations   Introduction The risk of cancer increases with age, i   and having health insurance coverage is strongly associated with survival following a cancer diagnosis. ii   Cancer is the leading cause of death among ... be diagnosed with cancer. v   Over 1 million of those diagnosed are age 65 or older and rely on the Medicare program as their primary source of health care coverage. vi   Cancer incidence rates also vary substantially across the U.S. (see map). Figure 1: Incidence Rates for United States ...

The Availability of Junk Plans Harm Cancer Patients

Access to affordable, comprehensive health care coverage, which Affordable Care Act (ACA) coverage standards help to ensure, is crucial for cancer patients and survivors. Unfortunately, ... because, while marketed as cheaper insurance options, the plans fail to offer comprehensive benefits – often excluding coverage of essential health benefits such as emergency services, preventive and wellness services, and prescription drugs – and engage in medical underwriting to deny ...

The Costs of Cancer in the Hispanic/Latino Community

As a leading cause of death and disease in the United States (U.S.), cancer takes a huge toll on the health of patients and survivors, and it also has a great impact on their finances. The costs of cancer do not impact all patients equally. Evidence consistently shows that certain factors – like race/ethnicity, health insurance status, income and where a person lives – impact cancer diagnosis, treatment, survival and financial hardship experienced by ... counterparts to be uninsured and experience serious financial hardship. Overall, Hispanic cancer survivors have more than double the health care expenditures as Hispanic individuals who have not been diagnosed with cancer. 1 And it is estimated that the economy loses $8.8 billion ...

Federal Advocacy to Eliminate Disparities in Cancer

... screening, and treatment, not all individuals benefit equally from this important progress. This fact sheet provides an overview of current health disparities in cancer care and a snapshot of ACS CAN federal advocacy activities to eliminate these disparities and achieve health equity. Federal Advocacy to Eliminate Disparities in Cancer ...

Insurance Disruptions & the Cost of COVID-19

The Problem The upheaval to the U.S. economy caused by the pandemic has resulted in many Americans losing their jobs and their employer-provided health insurance. Mid-year coverage disruptions are costly because cancer patients like Franklin who have already met their deductible and maximums ... 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 on his health care than he would if he’d been able to stay on his employer’s plan.  Insurance disruptions aren’t the only cost of COVID-19 for cancer ...

Cancer in American Indian and Alaska Native Communities

... Indian and/or Alaska Native (AI/AN), representing roughly 3% of the U.S. population. Historical inequities such as limited access to quality care have likely contributed to AI/AN people having the highest cancer incidence and mortality of any racial or ethnic group, for cancers of the colorectum, kidney, liver, lung, stomach, and cervix. To address these disparities, AI/AN communities continue to advocate for improved health care, self governance, and equitable treatment. Find out more. Cancer in American Indian and Alaska Native Communities ...

Addressing Cancer Disparities in LGBTQ+ Communities

A critical factor for eliminating disparities and ensuring health equity is the guarantee that all people have access to quality, affordable health care. Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer/Questioning (LGBTQ+) people face a unique and increased cancer burden, disproportionately ...

Survivor Views: Cancer & Medical Debt

... the latest survey explores cancer patients’ and survivors’ experiences and concerns with medical debt associated with the cost of cancer care. The web-based survey was conducted among 1,218 patients and survivors nationwide diagnosed with or treated for cancer in the last seven ... patients and survivors regardless of insurance coverage and across income levels: 99% of cancer patients and survivors in this survey have health care coverage and 56% report household income above the US median. Women are more likely than men to report medical debt (57% vs. 36%), and ... possible. Eighty-four percent say their experience with medical debt has led them to support legislation that would make major changes to the health care system.                         Most say their cancer-related medical debt was accumulated during active treatment (78%), ...

Some Insurance Plans Come with Higher Patient Costs

  The Problem The Affordable Care Act (ACA) has 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 ...

Type

Priority Issue

State

Policy Issue

Judicial Advocacy