What the private sector does not know about purchasing oncology services.

Abstract

Oncology, as a medical specialty, is usually purchased as part of a comprehensive health care plan offered by a health care network or carrier and is given the same weight in purchasing decisions as all other specialties. Individual practitioners and care facilities generally meet contemporary availability and quality standards. More detailed information generally is not sought and may be difficult to communicate to participants. The cost of network care is the most consistent and easy variable to obtain. Providing health plan participants with contemporary treatment information in any specialty area requires consistent information flow and presumes the ability to communicate this information to participants. Providing credible information regarding prevention protocols, success rates for treatment modalities, remission data, and support therapies will help better educate private sector purchasers. More can be done to highlight clinical research and present this information in readily understandable terms. More detailed information could have an impact on the future design of network-based health care plans and could assist participants in selecting among several networks. Quality of life issues would be supported by comprehensive information leading to personal life-style decisions. Private purchasers need to work with oncologic professionals, care networks, and health carriers to develop more precise information regarding oncologic care specifically and to become better educated regarding each area of specialty care in general. Information, once available, must be available to participants in terms that are easy to understand.