A Comparison of Skin Cancer Screening and Treatment Costs at a Massachusetts Cancer Center, 2008 versus 2013

Publication date: Available online 3 July 2018

Source: Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology

Author(s): Frederick C. Morgan, Juanita Duran, Belen Fraile, Pritesh S. Karia, Jennifer Y. Lin, Patrick A. Ott, Emily Stamell Ruiz, David M. Wang, Yichen Zhang, Chrysalyne D. Schmults

Abstract

Background

Temporal analyses of skin cancer costs are needed to examine how expenditure differences between diagnoses are changing.

Objective

To tabulate the costs of skin cancer-related care (SCRC), including both screening and treatment, at an academic cancer center at two time points.

Methods

Cost data (insurance and patient payments) at an academic cancer center from 2008 and 2013 were queried for International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision (ICD-9) codes pertaining to skin cancer. Screening costs were separated from treatment costs through associated Current Procedure Terminology (CPT) codes.

Results

The total annual cost of SCRC increased by 64%, the number of patients receiving SCRC increased by 45%, and the mean cost per patient treated increased by 13%. Screening accounted for 17% and 16% of total annual costs in 2008 and 2013, respectively. The mean cost per melanoma patient increased by 84%, which was the largest increase among skin cancer diagnoses. In 2013, the few melanoma patients treated with ipilimumab (n=48, 4% of melanoma patients) accounted for 42% of melanoma treatment costs and 20% of SCRC costs.

Limitations

Prescription costs were unavailable

Conclusion

Melanoma costs increased due to the introduction of ipilimumab. Ongoing studies are needed to monitor SCRC cost-effectiveness at a national level.