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Breast Cancer Research and Treatment
Published in: Breast Cancer Research and Treatment 1/2018

01-01-2018 | Epidemiology

Healthcare utilization, Medicare spending, and sources of patient distress identified during implementation of a lay navigation program for older patients with breast cancer

Authors: Gabrielle B. Rocque, Courtney P. Williams, Meredith I. Jones, Kelly M. Kenzik, Grant R. Williams, Andres Azuero, Bradford E. Jackson, Karina I. Halilova, Karen Meneses, Richard A. Taylor, Ed Partridge, Maria Pisu, Elizabeth A. Kvale

Published in: Breast Cancer Research and Treatment | Issue 1/2018

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Abstract

Purpose

Despite benefits for patients, sustainability of breast cancer navigation programs is challenging due to the lack of reimbursement for navigators. This analysis describes distress reported by breast cancer patients to navigators and the impact of navigation on healthcare utilization for older adults with breast cancer.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective cohort study of Medicare administrative claims data and patient-reported distress assessments. The primary outcome was Medicare spending per beneficiary per quarter. Secondary outcomes included (1) the number of hospitalizations or ER visits in each quarter; (2) distress levels; and (3) causes of distress reported by patients to their navigators. A subset analysis was conducted for stage I/II/III versus stage IV patients.

Results

776 navigated and 776 control patients were included in the analysis. The average age at diagnosis was 74 years; 13% of the subjects were African American; 95% of patients had stage I–III. Medicare spending declined faster for the navigated group than the matched comparison group by $528 per quarter per patient (95% CL −$667, −$388). Stage I/II/III navigated patients showed a statistically significant decline in Medicare spending, ER visits, and hospitalizations over time compared to the matched comparison group. No differences were observed for stage IV patients. Eighteen percent of patients reported moderate distress. Informational and physical distress were more common in late stage than in early-stage breast cancer.

Conclusions

Lay navigation reduced healthcare utilization in older adults with breast cancer, with the greatest impact observed in early-stage breast cancer patients.
Appendix
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Metadata
Title
Healthcare utilization, Medicare spending, and sources of patient distress identified during implementation of a lay navigation program for older patients with breast cancer
Authors
Gabrielle B. Rocque
Courtney P. Williams
Meredith I. Jones
Kelly M. Kenzik
Grant R. Williams
Andres Azuero
Bradford E. Jackson
Karina I. Halilova
Karen Meneses
Richard A. Taylor
Ed Partridge
Maria Pisu
Elizabeth A. Kvale
Publication date
01-01-2018
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Breast Cancer Research and Treatment / Issue 1/2018
Print ISSN: 0167-6806
Electronic ISSN: 1573-7217
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10549-017-4498-8

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