Dr Debra Patt Discusses Community Oncology Practices

As community oncology clinics affiliate with hospital systems to become hospital outpatient departments, the cost of care increases substantially, according to Debra Patt, MD, from Texas Oncology, a community-based practice.

One of the reasons this care is more expensive is because hospitals traditional contract for higher rates, which can translate into increased copays for patients.

“What we’ve learned is that with any intervention, compliance with any therapeutic intervention can diminish when the out-of-pocket costs increase,” Dr Patt said.