What are the Main Factors that Determine the Cost of Cancer Treatment?

Cancer Treatment Costs: Key Factors That Influence Pricing

The determinants of the cost of cancer treatment are diverse, clinical, and administrative. Understanding these factors is crucial for patients and caregivers to plan, minimize the cost burden, and attain timely access to necessary care.

In this regard, the most crucial determinants are cancer type, treatment modality, duration of treatment, hospital, geography, additional care requirements, health insurance status, and follow-up treatment.

Keep reading this guide for comprehensive insight and make an informed decision.

How Does the Cancer Type Affect Treatment Costs?

The type of cancer directly impacts the cost of treatment because some cancers need more sophisticated and costly treatment:

• Cancers such as leukaemia, pancreatic cancer, and brain cancer need extended treatment protocols, hence increasing patient costs.
• The cost can be based on the location of the cancer and the complexity of the surgery.
• Early-stage cancers are treated with localized treatments, while advanced-stage cancers demand systemic treatments, hence high overall costs.
• The anatomical location and extent of the tumour may necessitate complex surgical interventions, affecting overall expenses.

What are the Different Cancer Treatment Modalities and Their Fees?

Based on the method used for cancer treatment, the fees will tend to vary:

• Operating Costs

Operating costs vary substantially based on procedure complexity, the surgeon's qualifications, and the hospital's facilities.

• Prices of Medicines

Prices of medicines vary depending on drug types (brand or generic) and treatment time. Additionally, newer treatments, such as immunotherapy and bone marrow transplantation, often require additional medication, which can substantially increase costs.

• Chemoradiotherapy

Newer biological drugs and immunomodulatory agents, as well as more tolerated and effective radiation therapy schemes, have reduced treatment toxicity in oncology patients. However, chemoradiotherapy may consist of more than one cycle of treatment, leading to increased per-cycle expenses.

How Does Hospital and Geographic Location Affect the Cost of Cancer Treatment?

Cancer treatment costs can vary significantly depending on the type of facility and geographic location:

• Public Hospitals

Public/government hospitals typically offer lower-cost or even free services subsidized by the government.

• Private Hospitals

Private hospitals tend to offer quicker access to high-tech treatments but at a higher financial cost.

• Location

Metropolitan areas will have major cancer centres that can provide competitive charges and state-of-the-art facilities. However, the treatment costs will be higher in Tier 1 cities like Mumbai, Chennai, and Bangalore than in Tier 2 cities like Lucknow, Jaipur, Surat, etc.  

Furthermore, people travelling from rural areas to the cities for cancer treatment will have to bear additional costs for travel and accommodations.

What is the Contribution of Supportive and Palliative Care to the Total Cancer Treatment Costs?

Supportive and palliative care are significant but underappreciated expenses of cancer treatment. Many patients also require psychological and nutritional care, adding to total expenses.

Furthermore, managing infections and terminal care can be expensive and ongoing in the late stages of advanced illness, emphasizing the importance of comprehensive financial planning.

In What Ways Can Health Insurance Coverage Help with Financing Cancer Treatment?

The cost of cancer treatment is less of a financial burden when there is health insurance coverage. Here’s why:

• Routine Treatments

Routine treatments can be covered under comprehensive coverage, but not always for off-label treatments unless deemed essential.

• Cashless Treatments

Health insurance companies usually have a broad range of network hospitals where policyholders can opt for cashless treatment. This negates the financial burden on the patient’s end to gather funds, enabling them to focus on recovery.

• Patient Assistance Programs

Pharmaceutical companies also run Patient Assistance Programs (PAPs) that provide financial support to eligible patients, helping lower out-of-pocket costs.

What Follow-up Treatment and Rehabilitation is Required Following Cancer Treatment?

Follow-up for cancer survivors is necessary and will have additional expenses over and beyond initial treatment charges. Periodic check tests are necessary to detect early occurrences of potential recurrences, leading to long-term economic considerations.

What is the Role of Star Health in Cancer Care Insurance?

Star Health and Allied Insurance offers cancer care insurance plans that alleviate the financial burden on patients:

• Lump Sum at Diagnosis

Immediate financial aid helps begin treatment without delay, enabling patients to initiate medical care without financial hesitation. Such plans typically provide benefits such as a lump sum payment at the time of diagnosis, hospitalization, and chemotherapy benefits for the patients.

• Unique Cover

Cancer health insurance plans provide coverage to individuals already diagnosed with cancer and facilitate financial relief for both cancer and non-cancer treatments. Also, individuals can get a sum insured up to ₹10 Lakh, ensuring that all their medical care requirements are met.  

• No Prior Medical Screening Required

Individuals do not need to appear for any pre-medical tests to avail of such plans. What’s more, for each claim-free year, they can get a cumulative bonus of up to 5% of the sum insured, subject to a maximum of 50% of the total coverage amount.  

Cancer treatment costs in India can vary widely, influenced by several crucial factors. Understanding these can help patients and their families plan better financially and make informed decisions.

If you are looking for a health insurance plan that provides comprehensive coverage, cashless hospitalization, and coverage for both cancerous and non-cancerous conditions, the Star Cancer Care Platinum Insurance Policy can be your go-to.

Call us now for further details!