Even with healthcare coverage, millions of Americans will not be able to afford oral chemotherapy treatments, according to research done by UNC assistant professor Stacie Dusetzina.
The analysis looked at out-of-pocket chemo treatments after Medicare Part D, one of the most celebrated parts of medicare reform, kicks in.
After looking at 3,344 fomularies, they found that in 2010, oral chemotherapy cost $8,100 a year. When Medicare Part D, also know as the doughnut hole, begins in 2020, that cost will drop to only $5,600.
The study found the recipients will pay more money out-of-pocket for chemotherapy treatment than the average medicare beneficiary spends on food each year.
Under the current system, a person on medicare will pay a $310 deductible and 25 percent of their total cost of prescription medication up to $2,960. After that they pay for all of their medication up to $4,700, at which point catastrophic coverage pays 95 percent of their medication.
In 2020, they will only be responsible for 25 percent of the medication after the initial $2,960.
The problem is some chemotherapy medication can cost $10,000 a month, so the aid would not reduce enough of the burden on lower-income families.
