- A new study published in JAMA Internal Medicine found that the prices that private insurers agree to pay hospitals for cancer drugs are often at least double what the hospital paid to acquire the drugs. According to the study, the median price markups of 25 top-selling cancer therapies at 61 National Cancer Institute-designated cancer centers ranged 118 percent to 634 percent above the estimated acquisition cost. Prices varied widely between cancer centers and even between payers within the same center. The authors noted that the hospitals may be using profit from cancer drugs to subsidize other less lucrative lines of business, like research, development, or providing uncompensated care. (Study here)
April 19, 2022
Payers