Protecting Cancer Care
/
Historically, cancer care has been protected from many of the insurance issues that have beset other diseases. The life threatening nature of cancer was recognized by physicians, patients, and payers alike, and the barriers to obtaining payments from insurers were minimal. Over the past decade, however, this situation has changed. Policies dictated by insurers have begun to erode the protection that formerly characterized coverage of cancer treatment. This trend is manifested by reduced patient access to high quality cancer care and a lack of transparency regarding the recommended treatments.