Telemedicine in Oncology and Reimbursement Policy During COVID-19 and Beyond

Authors:
Sheetal M. Kircher Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University, Chicago;
Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago; and

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Mary Mulcahy Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University, Chicago;
Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago; and

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Aparna Kalyan Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University, Chicago;
Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago; and

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Christine B. Weldon Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago; and
Center for Business Models in Healthcare, Glencoe, Illinois.

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Julia R. Trosman Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago; and
Center for Business Models in Healthcare, Glencoe, Illinois.

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Al B. Benson III Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University, Chicago;
Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago; and

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Volume/Issue:
Volume 19: Issue 13
Online Publication Date:
30 Sep 2020
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.6004/jnccn.2020.7639
Restricted access

The first confirmed case of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the United States was reported on January 20, 2020. As of September 17, 2020, there were more than 6.6 million confirmed cases and 196,277 deaths. Limited data are available on outcomes of immunocompromised patients, but early published reports from China indicate that those with cancer have a 3.5 times higher risk of ICU admission, mechanical ventilation, or death than those without cancer. Because of the uncertain behavior of COVID-19, it has become imperative for practices to limit exposure to vulnerable patients. Telemedicine has been one of the cornerstones of caring for patients with cancer during the COVID-19 pandemic. This review provides an overview of reimbursement policy by public and private payers before and during the COVID-19 pandemic, describes implications in cancer care, and offers considerations for future reimbursement policy.

Submitted May 20, 2020; accepted for publication August 13, 2020.

Disclosures: The authors have disclosed that they have no financial interests, arrangements, or affiliations with the manufacturers of any products discussed in this article or their competitors.

Correspondence: Sheetal M. Kircher, MD, Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University, 676 North St. Clair, Suite 850, Chicago, IL 60611. Email: sheetal.kircher@nm.org
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Print ISSN:
1540-1405
Online ISSN:
1540-1413
Publisher:
National Comprehensive Cancer Network
Cover Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network
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Copyright:
Copyright © 2020 by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network 2020
Page Numbers:
7
Article Category:
Research Article
Received:
20 May 2020
Accepted:
13 Aug 2020
Print Publication Date:
01 Mar 2021
Online Publication Date:
30 Sep 2020

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