A research letter published in JAMA Oncology examined trends in use of and spending for infused chemotherapy in the hospital outpatient department (HOPD) setting compared to the physician office setting from 2004 to 2014 among commercial insured patients. The study found the following:
- The rate of commercially insured patients receiving chemotherapy in HOPDs increased from 6 percent of infusions in 2004 to 43 percent of infusions in 2014.
- Spending at the drug level and day level was lower in offices than in HOPDs.
- Total reimbursement during the 6-month treatment episode was also significantly lower in offices
- Patients receiving care in physician offices were older than those receiving care in HOPDs and they had a statistically (but not clinically meaningful) lower comorbidity
Read the full article here.