Cancer organizations see big uptick in health insurance marketplace usage by decade's end

WASHINGTON — Next year, 7 million people will be using health insurance marketplaces, and that figure will nearly quadruple in five years, according to a coalition of cancer-focused organizations.

Patient Services Inc., which includes 18 partnering cancer and patient advocacy organizations, announced Wednesday the launch of the Cancer Insurance Checklist, designed to help people with cancer, a history of the disease or those at risk of getting it, choose insurance plans in the state-based health insurance marketplaces, which will open on Oct. 1.

According to PSI, by the end of the decade, 27 million people will be in health insurance marketplaces, and PSI said the checklist would empower thousands of people whose lives have been influenced by cancer amid the implementation of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. The checklist guides consumers to review the coverage within each insurance plan they are considering, including coverage for services provided by their healthcare team, where care is delivered, medications and various common cancer treatments and services they may need.

Get connected and follow us on LinkedIn for the most in-depth coverage of drug store news. Join the conversation.