Insurance-based Disparities in Gastro-Entero-Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumor Patients

J Health Care Poor Underserved. 2021;32(3):1199-1207. doi: 10.1353/hpu.2021.0126.ABSTRACTIn the United States, uninsurance remains a major barrier in accessing health care for many citizens and residents. Studies have shown that uninsured patients with many cancers and chronic diseases have worse survival than insured patients. A recent study similarly showed that uninsured patients with gastro-entero-pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (GEP-NETs) have significantly shortened survival. While GEP-NETs are indolent tumors with generally favorable prognosis, comprehensive care involves years of surveillance, imaging, and treatment following resection, all of which carry a large financial burden. In this commentary, we expand on these findings as they relate to insurance-based disparities as well as management and policy implications.PMID:34421025 | DOI:10.1353/hpu.2021.0126
Source: Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved - Category: International Medicine & Public Health Authors: Source Type: research