2021 Diabetes and Cancer New Reports and Findings

As promised, Vital Incite has completed two new reports.  

• Cancer reports have allowed us to identify that skin, breast, prostate and colorectal are the top cancers identified in that order with 29% of cancers being skin related. Given that there are very good tests for early detection, education to create motivation for this testing is critical. That may include making sure skin testing is paid with no patient sharing.   Our research also showed that in 2021 spend increased for cancer care, but that was related to more cost per diagnosis.  Although we have seen improved contracted rates for oncology services,this Health Imaging article is also explaining that cancers are being identified in later stages due to delayed testing, which also is reflecting higher cost for care.

• Diabetes reports that now separate out Type 1 from Type 2 Diabetes have identified that 92% of diabetics are Type 2. This report has allowed us to realize that the cost per unit risk for pharmacy for diabetes has increased from $561 in 2018 to $729 in 2021, yet the percentage of members with controlled A1c levels has remained relatively constant at 49% in 2018 and 48% in 2021.