CANCER: United Healthcare Launches Pilot To Test New Payments for Treatment
Health insurer UnitedHealthcare on Wednesday is expected to release details of a one-year pilot program to study a new payment method for cancer treatments, the New York Times reports. The program aims to encourage physicians to follow standard treatment regimens, instead of choosing individualized or unproven tactics, which can include costly drug combinations, according to the Times (Abelson, New York Times, 10/19). According to Kaiser Health News, the program — which currently involves five oncology practices in five states — is the first by a private insurer to examine “bundling” for cancer treatment. Under the program, UHC will make a one-time payment for each patient’s complete course of cancer treatment for common cancers, such as those affecting the lungs, breasts and colon. Physicians also will receive a case management fee. The participating practices will select the course of treatment for each patient (Appleby, Kaiser Health News, 10/20).
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