Cancer Res Treat.  2018 Oct;50(4):1074-1083. 10.4143/crt.2017.401.

Supporting Low-income Cancer Patients: Recommendations for the Public Financial Aid Program in the Republic of Korea

• Min HS
• Yang HK
• Park K

• KMID: 2424780
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4143/crt.2017.401

Abstract

PURPOSE
As the recent term of "financial toxicity" implies, cancer causes a treatment-related financial harm. Financial Aid Program for Cancer Patient (FAPCP) is a government's financial support for low-income patients in the Republic of Korea. This study aimed to describe FAPCP applicants' condition and to investigate factors influencing financial burden, which would provide the basis for implementing a strategy for FAPCP administration.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The telephone survey results from 2,700 FAPCP participants were analyzed, including demographic, socioeconomic, and disease characteristics and experiences associated with financial burden and the actions or measures to cope with them.
RESULTS
Overall, 87.6% experienced financial burden more than moderate degree, 39.2% got financial help/a loan, 17.8% disposed of their property, and 10.2% changed or stopped treatment owing to medical costs. Monthly household income was connected to financial burden, and the highest income group was associated with the lowest financial burden (odds ratio [OR], 0.21; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.11 to 0.38) and the lowest rate of changing/stopping care (OR, 0.23; 95% CI, 0.05 to 1.00). Parents of childhood cancer patients got financial help/a loan (OR, 2.24; 95% CI, 1.03 to 4.88) and disposed of their property (OR, 3.18; 95% CI, 1.40 to 7.22) more frequently, and Medical Aids applicants showed the highest rate of changing/stopping care (OR, 3.01; 95% CI, 1.89 to 4.78).
CONCLUSION
FAPCP targets low income groups; however, financial burden and the consequent actions taken still exist disproportionately, depending on the income of the applicants. FAPCP should focus on more vulnerable groups including Medical Aid applicants and parents of childhood cancer patients, by increasing funds and expanding their support coverage.

Keyword

Neoplasms; Patients; Health Care Cost; Financial Support; Public assistance

MeSH Terms

Family Characteristics
Financial Management
Financial Support
Health Care Costs
Humans
Parents
Public Assistance
Republic of Korea*
Telephone

Reference

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