Cost of care for early- and late-stage oral and pharyngeal cancer in the California Medicaid population

Abstract

Background: This study documents the direct medical costs associated with treating oral and pharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) as early- or late-stage disease according to the current standard of care.

Methods: This retrospective analysis of California Medicaid claims data calculated direct payments for patients diagnosed with OSCC. Patients were defined as being treated for early- or late-stage disease based on treatment modality. Regression determined significant predictors of year-1 cost of care following diagnosis.

Results: Median year-1 cost of care following initial diagnosis was $25,319 for the 229 patients identified. Regression results determined that treatment modality and medical comorbidities were significant in predicting costs (p < .05). Costs for patients treated as having early-stage OSCC were approximately 36% less than for those treated as having late-stage disease (p = .002).

Conclusion: Treatment for OSCC is a significant cost from Medicaid's perspective, and these data suggest early detection may ease its economic burden.