Academic Literature

Reforming the Payment System for Medical Oncology

Infusion of chemotherapy has long been a profit center for medical oncologists. Here are various approaches to cancer drug payment reform, and their strengths and weaknesses.
Originally published on 07/17/2013 in JAMA Viewpoint

Infusion of chemotherapy has long been a profit center for medical oncologists.

Under the current system, oncologists purchase cancer drugs at one price, then bill insurers at a higher price after they administer the drugs. However, the profits available to oncologists from this practice have been under serious pressure from the pharmaceutical industry and insurers.

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