National Healthcare Quality and Disparities Report
Latest available findings on quality of and access to health care
Data
- Data Infographics
- Data Visualizations
- Data Tools
- Data Innovations
- All-Payer Claims Database
- Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP)
- Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS)
- AHRQ Quality Indicator Tools for Data Analytics
- State Snapshots
- United States Health Information Knowledgebase (USHIK)
- Data Sources Available from AHRQ
Search All Research Studies
AHRQ Research Studies
Sign up: AHRQ Research Studies Email updates
Research Studies is a compilation of published research articles funded by AHRQ or authored by AHRQ researchers.
Results
1 to 1 of 1 Research Studies DisplayedSaulsberry L, Liao C, Huo D
Hypofractionated radiation therapy for breast cancer: financial risk and expenditures in the United States, 2008 to 2017.
This study examined the costs of hypofractionated whole breast irradiation (HF-WBI) compared with conventional whole breast irradiation (CF-WBI) and investigated the influences of patient characteristics and commercial insurance on HF-WBI use. This retrospective study used private employer-sponsored insurance claims to obtain a pooled cross-sectional evaluation of radiation therapy in patients with commercial insurance from 2008 to 2017. The study population included female patients with early-stage breast cancer treated with lumpectomy and whole breast irradiation. A total of 15,869 women received HF-WBI, and 59,328 CF-WBI. A higher proportion of college graduates and greater mixed racial composition was associated with increased HF-WBI use. Mean insurer-paid radiation therapy expenditures were significantly lower for HB-WBI versus CF-WBI (adjusted difference $6375). Mean patient out-of-pocket expenditures for HF-WBI was $139 less than for CF-WBI. Geographic variation existed across the United States with no consistent relationship between HF-WBI use and correspondent average cost differences.
AHRQ-funded; HS025806.
Citation: Saulsberry L, Liao C, Huo D .
Hypofractionated radiation therapy for breast cancer: financial risk and expenditures in the United States, 2008 to 2017.
Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 2022 Mar;112(3):654-62. doi: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2021.10.005..
Keywords: Cancer: Breast Cancer, Cancer, Healthcare Costs, Women