Disparities in access to antineoplastic immunotherapy and outcomes by insurance status: A nationwide analysis.

Authors

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Saad Javaid

Wyckoff Heights Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY

Saad Javaid , Kelly Frasier , Vivian Li , Julia Vinagolu-Baur , Nataly Ortega Yaguachi , Evadne Rodriguez , Olivia Del Castillo , Raquel Batista , Kenlee Jonas , Laura Palma

Organizations

Wyckoff Heights Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY, Nuvance Health/Vassar Brothers Medical Center, Poughkeepsie, NY, Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, Erie, PA, State University of New York, Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY, University of Missouri-Columbia, School of Medicine, Columbia, MO, Dutchess Community College, Beacon, NY

Research Funding

No funding sources reported

Background: Immunotherapy has emerged as a pivotal component in the treatment of cancer, particularly owing to the progress made in targeted therapies. Our analysis aimed to quantify the disparities in access to immunotherapy and the associated outcomes. Methods: We used National Inpatient Sample data (2017-2020) to identify patients hospitalized with a primary diagnosis of antineoplastic immunotherapy, stratifying them by either Medicaid or private insurance. The aim was to determine disparities in the likelihood of immunotherapy across various demographic factors and differences in outcomes, such as mortality and healthcare resource utilization. Results: A total of 14,530 patients were hospitalized for antineoplastic immunotherapy, with 2,960 (20%) having Medicaid insurance and 7,760 (53%) having private insurance. Patients with Medicaid were younger than those with private insurance (17.22% vs 38.53%). Compared to Medicare, patients with private insurance were more likely to undergo immunotherapy (OR=2.65(2.31-3.04); p<0.001), while those with Medicaid had decreased odds (OR=0.75(0.61-0.92); p=0.007). Older patients were less likely to undergo immunotherapy than younger patients (36-45: OR=0.69(0.56-0.85), p=0.001; 46-64: OR=0.7(0.59-0.82), p<0.001; >65: OR=0.48(0.4-0.59), p<0.001). Compared to the White population, Hispanics (OR=1.3(1.12-1.51); p<0.001) and patients of other races (OR=3.33(2.86-3.88); p<0.001) had increased odds of undergoing immunotherapy, while Black patients had decreased odds (OR=0.43(0.35-0.53); p<0.001).The individuals with the highest median income were found to have the highest likelihood of undergoing immunotherapy (>$86,000, OR=2.23(1.92-2.59); p<0.001), followed by those in the less income groups ($65,000-$85,999: OR=1.6(1.38-1.86), p<0.001; $50,000-$64,999: OR=1.48(1.28-1.73), p<0.001). Patients in medium-sized (OR=1.27(1.03-1.55); p=0.022) and large (OR=3.49(2.93-4.15); p<0.001) hospitals were more likely to receive immunotherapy compared to those in small hospitals. Patients with Medicaid had a higher total hospitalization cost than those with private insurances (+$219,484(83,731-355,238); p=0.002). There was no observed difference in mortality rates among patients with Medicaid or private insurance who received immunotherapy (Medicaid: OR=0.86(0.1-6.98), p=0.88; Private: OR=0.67(0.11-3.96), p=0.66). Conclusions: The utilization of immunotherapy among Medicaid patients is found to be lower when compared to those with private insurance and Medicare. This disparity is also related to a higher overall cost of hospitalization in Medicaid patients. However, there was no difference in mortality between the different insurance types who received immunotherapy.

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Abstract Details

Meeting

2024 ASCO Annual Meeting

Session Type

Publication Only

Session Title

Publication Only: Care Delivery/Models of Care

Track

Care Delivery and Quality Care

Sub Track

Access to Care

Citation

J Clin Oncol 42, 2024 (suppl 16; abstr e13523)

DOI

10.1200/JCO.2024.42.16_suppl.e13523

Abstract #

e13523

Abstract Disclosures

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