Abstract:
The practice of interventional oncology (IO) embodies all the qualities that one would expect to find in a modern, value-based healthcare system. A dynamic, cutting-edge specialty like IO uses highly-targeted, minimally-invasive, image-guided techniques to deliver cost-effective, personalised medicine for cancer patients. Unfortunately, the technical and clinical sophistication of IO is not matched by the reimbursement models and funding arrangements in Australia to fully support this critical component of patient care. Differences between state and federal funding lead to inequity of access to \'standard of care\' interventions for patients across public and private hospitals. IO procedures are poorly represented in the Medicare Benefits Schedule and often inadequately funded to cover the true costs of providing care. Complex private health fund reimbursements and inconsistent rebates for prostheses and essential equipment result in inconsistent access to important services and widely variable out-of-pocket costs for patients. IO techniques must be supported by fair, consistent and equitable funding arrangements at all levels to allow for integrated contemporary patient care; only then will the full clinical and economic benefits of IO be realised.
摘要:
介入肿瘤学(IO)的实践体现了人们期望在现代,基于价值的医疗保健系统。一个动态的,尖端专业,如IO使用高度针对性,微创,图像引导技术,以提供具有成本效益的,癌症患者的个性化医疗。不幸的是,IO的技术和临床复杂性与澳大利亚的报销模式和资金安排无法完全支持患者护理的这一关键组成部分。州和联邦资金之间的差异导致公立和私立医院患者获得“护理标准”干预措施的不平等。IO程序在Medicare福利计划中的代表性较差,并且通常没有足够的资金来支付提供护理的真正费用。复杂的私人卫生基金报销以及假肢和基本设备的回扣不一致,导致患者获得重要服务的机会不一致,自付费用变化很大。IO技术必须得到公平的支持,在所有各级进行一致和公平的资金安排,以实现现代综合患者护理;只有这样,IO的全部临床和经济效益才能实现。