To go along with all of the planning in deciding just how to cover a balooning Boomer population, healthcare policy wonks and legislators now have to consider the future costs of cancer drugs into the mix. 

Medicare has quietly expanded its coverage for cancer drugs to include some treatments that haven’t gotten the Food and Drug Administration’s full seal of approval.

The change was announced last summer with little fanfare and took effect in the fall. It means that doctors and patients seeking Medicare reimbursement for certain novel treatments won’t have to negotiate with the billing department for payment. But it’s also certain to increase Medicare spending, since cancer medications often cost thousands of dollars a month.

Cancer and other high-profile illnesses of aging constantly receive press similar to this item. Isn’t it time for legislators and third parties to sit down and discuss coverage of aging HIV+ patients? Although sheer numbers may argue otherwise, one cannot deny the unforseen consequences patients in the latter population will have on the financing of chronic care. | LINK

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