Evaluation of delivery costs for external beam radiation therapy and brachytherapy for locally advanced cervical cancer using time-driven activity-based costing

Time-driven activity-based costing methodology was applied to calculate the delivery costs of definitive radiation therapy for locally advanced cervical cancer. Brachytherapy was more costly and consumed more attending radiation oncologist time than external beam radiation therapy. Comparison of the delivery costs and physician time requirements to current reimbursement revealed a financial disincentive against brachytherapy, which should be studied as a potential contributor to the reported national poor compliance rates for cervical cancer brachytherapy.

http://ift.tt/2h4t08m