Impact of functional disability on health-care use and medical costs among cancer survivors

Background: Cancer survivors with a disability are among the most vulnerable in health status and financial hardship, but no prior research has systematically examined how disability modifies health-care use and costs. This study examined the association between functional disability among cancer survivors and their health-care utilization and medical costs. Methods: We generated nationally representative estimates using the 2015-2019 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey. Outcomes included use of 6 service types (inpatient, outpatient, office-based physician, office-based nonphysician, emergency department, and prescription) and medical costs of aggregate services and by each of 6 service types. The primary independent variable was a categorical variable for the total number of functional disabilities. We employed multivariable generalized linear models and 2-part models, adjusting for sociodemographics and health conditions and accounting for survey design. Results: Among cancer survivors (n = 9359; weighted n = 21046285), 38.8% reported at least 1 disability. Compared with individuals without a disability, cancer survivors with 4 or more disabilities experienced longer hospital stays (adjusted average marginal effect = 1.14 days, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.55 to 1.73), more visits to an office-based physician (average marginal effect = 1.43 visits, 95% CI = 0.51 to 2.35), and a greater number of prescriptions (average marginal effect = 12.1 prescriptions, 95% CI = 9.27 to 15.0). Their total (average marginal effect = $9537, 95% CI = $5713 to $13361) and out-of-pocket (average marginal effect = $639, 95% CI = $79 to $1199) medical costs for aggregate services were statistically significantly higher. By type, disability in independent living was most strongly associated with greater costs for aggregate services. Conclusions: Cancer survivors with a disability experienced greater health-care use and higher costs. Cancer survivorship planning for health care and financial stability should consider the patients' disability profile.