Development of a “Cancer Treatment Cost Estimation System”

Abstract

As medical costs of cancer treatment can be a large burden on cancer patients and treatment fees may spiral to unexpected amounts, the Patient Support Center receives many consultations requests regarding medical costs. Based on the current medical system, most hospitals dealing with cancer patients utilize the Diagnosis Procedure Combination (DPC), which allows a relatively uniform nationwide fee schedule for the same disease or treatment.

In this study, using selected data from past DPC comprehensive fees for specific inpatient treatments, we calculated the approximate average hospitalization costs based on the type of cancer, treatment plans, and duration of hospital stay. Using this database, we constructed a“Cancer Treatment Cost Estimation System”, which allows hospital staff to instantly calculate treatment fees according to the location of a cancer, treatment plans (surgery, radiology, and/or chemotherapy), and duration of hospital stay from any computer within the hospital.

Additionally, by accessing the hospital homepage, these estimates are also accessible from locations outside of the hospital. This system provides useful information for hospital personnel involved in cancer patient care.