Cost concerns of patients with cancer.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

Health care providers are accustomed to identifying populations for whom cost-related concerns may be a significant barrier, such as the poor, but few empiric data have been collected to substantiate such assumptions, particularly among insured patients.

Methods

Patients with cancer from academic and community hospitals completed a questionnaire that included closed-ended items concerning demographic variables, optimism, numeracy, and concerns about present and future medical costs. In addition, they answered open-ended questions regarding cost concerns and medical expenses.

Results

Nearly all (99%) participants were insured. In response to the closed-ended questions, 30.3% of patients reported concern about paying for their cancer treatment, 22.3% reported th

SUBMITTER: Stump TK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3770507 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature