Study finds payer-negotiated prices not clinically significant for surgical outcomes in common cancers

Research examined payer-negotiated prices for surgical oncology services at NCI-designated cancer centers and their impact on clinical outcomes. Prices varied greatly within and between centers, but the effect on morbidity and mortality was statistically significant, yet clinically negligible across colon, lung, and pancreas cancer cohorts. Higher prices were not linked to better clinical quality. Overall, payer-negotiated prices were not found to significantly impact surgical outcomes for common cancers.