SPOTLIGHT: A NEW WAY TO PAY
Health insurer UnitedHealthcare today is expected to release details of
a one-year pilot program to study a new payment method for cancer
treatments. The program aims to encourage physicians to follow standard
treatment regimens, instead of choosing individualized or unproven
tactics, which can include costly drug combinations. 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, and
physicians will receive a case management fee. The participating
practices will select the course of treatment for each patient. United's
move comes as the federal health reform law has further pressured
providers to scale back spending. However, critics contend the new
program is a step toward denying patients additional care or the latest
treatments, or rationing of care at the end of life.
Please access the attached hyperlink for an important electronic communications disclaimer: http://www.lse.ac.uk/collections/planningAndCorporatePolicy/legalandComplianceTeam/legal/disclaimer.htm
|