The Medicare Modernization Act and reimbursement for outpatient chemotherapy: do patients perceive changes in access to care?

摘要: BACKGROUND. The primary objectives were to measure and compare time initiation of chemotherapy for patients undergoing treatment either before or after the enactment Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, Modernization Act 2003 (MMA), location care MMA. METHODS. A Web-based survey was conducted a convenience sample with cancer. RESULTS. A total 1421 respondents completed survey, 684 in pre-MMA group 737 post-MMA group. Respondents aged ≥65 years both groups had median waiting 3.0 weeks (P = .74). Most received outpatient hospital infusion centers affiliated private practices (73% vs 62% group; P .02). However, multivariate analysis there no statistically significant difference between cohorts. CONCLUSIONS. Overall, findings do not support generalizations from anecdotal reports that have been affected by change reimbursement oncologists as result MMA. The may be confounded payments physicians concurrent Centers Medicaid Services cancer demonstration project because these delayed changes care. Moreover, research is needed examine effects legislation on vulnerable populations. Cancer 2007 © American Society.