Home / Health / Cancer Patients Face Huge Out-of-Pocket Costs
Cancer Patients Face Huge Out-of-Pocket Costs
13 Nov
Summary
- Patients paid nearly 30% of total cancer treatment expenses.
- Deductions from cancer claims rose by 58% in three years.
- Early-stage cancer detection increased significantly over three years.
An analysis of over 8,000 cancer insurance claims reveals that patients are shouldering nearly 30% of their treatment costs, amounting to Rs 23.2 crore out of a total Rs 78 crore. This financial burden is exacerbated by a 58% increase in deductions from cancer-related claims over the past three years.
While more than one in five patients faced expenses exceeding Rs 5 lakh, the report highlights that higher treatment costs often correlate with a greater number of insurance claims filed. Intensive treatments carried a median cost of Rs 7.6 lakh, significantly higher than less intensive care.
Encouragingly, the detection of cancer in its in-situ, or stage 0, stage has increased by over 72% in three years. This rise in early detection is attributed to increased awareness and better screening access, potentially leading to improved outcomes and reduced financial strain.
However, insurance payout rates for certain cancers remain low, with some drugs and treatments not being fully covered due to policy limitations or being considered experimental. This gap means that despite advancements in cancer care, insurance policies are struggling to keep pace, leaving patients vulnerable to substantial out-of-pocket expenses.
