Cost of patient follow-up after potentially curative colorectal cancer treatment.
OBJECTIVE
To estimate the cost of follow-up among colorectal cancer patients treated with curative intent based on the broad spectrum of surveillance strategies suggested in the literature.


METHODS
Economic analysis of the costs associated with 11 separate surveillance strategies. Charge data were obtained from the Part B Medicare Annual Data file and the Hospital Outpatient Bill file.


METHODS
Ambulatory care.


METHODS
Medicare-allowed charges and an actual-charge proxy for 5 years of follow-up after treatment for colorectal cancer patients on a nationwide basis.


RESULTS
Medicare-allowed charges varied widely for the 5 years of posttreatment follow-up from a low of $561 to a high of $16,492. When Medicare-allowed charges were converted to a proxy for actual charges using a conversion ratio of 1.62, the range was $910 to $26,717, a 28-fold difference in charges.


CONCLUSIONS
Charges vary extensively across follow-up strategies, with no indication that higher-cost strategies increase survival or quality of life.
Virgo
K S
KS
Department of Surgery, Saint Louis University Health Sciences Center, MO 63110-0250, USA.
Vernava
A M
AM
Longo
W E
WE
McKirgan
L W
LW
Johnson
F E
FE
D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000191:economics* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003266:Continuity of Patient Care / Q000191:economics*; D005251:Fees, Medical; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D017048:Health Care Costs; D006801:Humans; D006278:Medicare; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000191:economics*; D012008:Recurrence; D014481:United States