Oncology-reimbursements

[jointman]

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Hey guys,


Has anybody in here heard that chemo reimbursements have decreased? Is there a possibility that these will go up in the next ten years. I am considering this field and this news hit me as a major bummer. Damn insurance companies! I wonder how much of a salary difference it would really make?

 

[doc05]

no way will reimbursements go up. you'll be lucky if they keep up with inflation (which they haven't).

 

[liverotcod]

It's government reimbursements via Medicare that have been decreased to match oncologists' actual expense for chemo medications. This used to be a huge cash cow for oncs, this is a correction. Nevertheless, not so fun if you're a heme/onc.

http://www.aishealth.com/ManagedCare/GenBus/MCWInsurersEyeChanges.html

 

[evade]

Hey guys,


Has anybody in here heard that chemo reimbursements have decreased? Is there a possibility that these will go up in the next ten years. I am considering this field and this news hit me as a major bummer. Damn insurance companies! I wonder how much of a salary difference it would really make?

No matter what field you go into, insurance reimbursements will be a huge problem. They're not going to go up any time soon, in fact, oncology has been one of the few specialties that's remained financially solvent, thanks to higher than average reimbursements. Surgery of all kinds will probably continue to do better than other fields, with plastic surgery and bariatric surgery being by FAR the most lucrative, thanks to out-of-pocket payments since most insurance companies don't reimburse for these treatments.

In the end, though, you just gotta do what you love. Me, I'm looking to go into genetics. It's one of the least-known and worst-paying specialties, but I love it. Anyone who's looking to choose a specialty based on salary is likely in medicine for the wrong reasons.