Study Says Changes in Reimbursement May Improve Care for Peritoneal Mesothelioma Patients, According to Surviving Mesothelioma

Raleigh, NC (PRWEB) September 29, 2014

A team of surgical oncology researchers say hospitals make money when privately-insured mesothelioma patients experience complications after CRS/HIPEC treatment, but bundled payment systems could change that. Click here to read the full story on the Surviving Mesothelioma website.

Doctors at Emory University'sWinship Cancer Institute found that mesothelioma patients with private insurance made the hospital money, even if they had complications, while Medicare patients cost them much more.

"For private-insured patients, major complications were associated with increased cost and increased reimbursement, resulting in a net profit of $36,285, compared with a net loss of $54,274 in Medicare/Medicaid patients," writes lead author Dr. Malcolm Squires.

The study, published in the Annals of Surgical Oncology, says "bundled" payment systems, that reimburse more when patients have fewer complications, could incent hospitals to decrease costs and minimize complications.

"Patients with peritoneal mesothelioma should be able to trust that their providers are going to provide the very best care at the very best value, regardless of what kind of insurance they have," says Alex Strauss, Managing Editor of Surviving Mesothelioma. "This study suggests that pending healthcare changes are going to help ensure that is the case."

To read more about CRS/HIPEC treatment for peritoneal mesothelioma and its costs, see Optimal Mesothelioma Care: Is Reimbursement Structure a Disincentive? now available on the Surviving Mesothelioma website.

Squires, MH et al, "Association between hospital finances, payer mix, and complications after hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy: deficiencies in the current healthcare reimbursement system and future implications", September 24, 2014, Annals of Surgical Oncology, Epub ahead of print, http://www.annsurgoncol.org/journals/abstract.html?v=0&j=10434&i=0&a=4025_10.1245_s10434-014-4025-7&doi=

For nearly ten years, Surviving Mesothelioma has brought readers the most important and ground-breaking news on the causes, diagnosis and treatment of mesothelioma. All Surviving Mesothelioma news is gathered and reported directly from the peer-reviewed medical literature. Written for patients and their loved ones, Surviving Mesothelioma news helps families make more informed decisions.

Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/2014/09/prweb12203662.htm