Northeast Business Group on Health (NEBGH) today released “Delivering Value in Cancer Care: The Employer Perspective,” a comprehensive guide to help HR and benefits leaders assess and develop cancer-friendly care and benefit programs that offer high value to employees and families.
American Cancer Society estimates the total cost of cancer in health care expenses and lost productivity is more than $180 billion a year. Cancer is also relatively common, with an estimated 1.76 million new cancer cases predicted to be diagnosed in the U.S. in 2019. Some new treatments have price tags that exceed $1 million, and with more effective treatments a reality, cancer survivorship creates additional care needs and costs.
“Cancer is a complex and expensive disease that impacts all aspects of a patient’s life, not just their health,” said Candice Sherman, CEO of NEBGH. “For a growing number of employers, ensuring that employees and families receive high quality cancer care and maximizing the value of spending on care are top priorities. Unfortunately, while these priorities are clear, the roadmap to achieving them is not. That’s one reason why we developed this employer guide.”
The Guide, Delivering Value in Cancer Care: The Employer Perspective, is the culmination of a nine-month initiative that included interviews with national employers, health plans and care providers; a survey of 75 employers across the U.S.; and a roundtable discussion with employers, stakeholders and experts on cancer in the workplace issues.
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