PCN115 - The Analysis of Inpatients Cost of Breast Cancer in China, 2011

Abstract

To analyze the inpatients direct medical costs and reimbursement rate of breast cancer based on national claimed database for urban employees and compare on the cost of different types of treatment. Mechanical sampling was used to collect data on inpatients costs of breast cancer in 3 cities (Beijing, Shanghai and Chengdu) in China in 2011. 314 patients were screened into this study from national claimed database of urban employees. Statistics analysis and descriptive analysis were used to find out direct medical costs and reimbursement rate of patients hospitalized with breast cancer in different treatment type. The mean hospitalization expense of all inpatient with breast cancer was USD 2,154 per patient (66% of the expense was covered by public payer), while drug expense was USD 1,197 (82% covered by public payer). The mean cost per patient was CNY 19,554 (USD 3,154) for surgery patients (49 patients) and CNY 10,588 (USD 1,708) for non-surgery patients (265 patients), the mean reimbursement rate was 60% and 70%, drug-to-total expense ratio was 41% and 69% and mean length of hospital stay was 20 days and 9 days for surgery patients and non-surgery patients identically. The overall reimbursement rate of medical services was only 46%, much lower comparing with reimbursement rate of drug (82%), causing even higher OOP burden of surgery patients who usually needs more medical services (mean expense on medical services per surgery patient and non surgery patient was USD 1,875 and USD 536). Among women in China, breast cancer is the most common and the leading cause of death from all cancers, which brings heavy burden to patients and families. Surgery patients suffered higher OOP burden because of relatively lower reimbursement rate on medical services and longer hospital stay. The government needs to gradually raise the reimbursement rate and introduce more commercial health insurance products to cover on patient financial burden.