Unlocking the Power of Clinical Trials in Cancer Care: Insights from PHM Experts

In a recent episode of "Healthcare on the Rocks: Employee Benefits with a Twist," Dr. Natalya Gertsik and Tommy Axford from Private Health Management (PHM) sat down with Brittany Hardaway and David Pittman from Springbuk to discuss the crucial role of clinical trials in cancer care. 

This conversation shed light on why employers struggle to contain cancer-related costs and how clinical trials can be a game-changer in both patient outcomes and cost management.

Below, you’ll find highlights and takeaways from their conversation. Ready to listen to the full episode? Click here.

The Challenge: Managing Cancer Costs for Employers

Cancer continues to be one of the top cost drivers for employers, as highlighted in Springbuk's Annual Employee Health Trends Report. Tommy Axford, Senior VP of Business Development and Strategic Partnerships at PHM, explains why employers find it challenging to contain these costs:

• Cancer is not a single disease but a complex group of diseases.
• There's no one-size-fits-all solution for managing cancer, unlike other conditions such as diabetes or musculoskeletal disorders.
• The consequences of any cancer-related decisions are life-altering for employees.

The Importance of Clinical Trials in Oncology

Dr. Natalya Gertsik, VP of Partnerships at PHM, emphasizes the critical role of clinical trials in cancer care through a compelling patient story. Peter, diagnosed with stage 2 esophageal cancer, was given only three months to live after exhausting standard treatment options. However, through PHM's intervention and enrollment in a clinical trial, Peter achieved complete remission and has been cancer-free for 12 years.

Clinical trials are vital because they:

• Provide access to cutting-edge treatments that can save lives.
• Offer hope when standard therapies fail.
• Contribute to medical advancements in cancer care.
• Can help offset the costs of specialty drugs for employers and plan sponsors.

Overcoming Barriers to Clinical Trial Access

Despite their importance, there are significant challenges in accessing clinical trials. These barriers include:

• Complex trial landscape with over 60,000 trials (20,000 in cancer alone).
• Specific and lengthy inclusion/exclusion criteria for trials.
• Limited provider knowledge and incentives to enroll patients in trials.
• Patient-related barriers such as financial constraints and skepticism.
• Institutional resource limitations.

PHM addresses these challenges by serving as an extension of the treating provider, identifying suitable trials, and facilitating the enrollment process for patients.

The Role of Clinical Trials in Cost Reduction

For employers, clinical trials can play a significant role in reducing healthcare costs:

• Trial sponsors (often pharmaceutical companies) cover the cost of treatments.
• Clinical trials can offset the high costs of specialty oncology medications, which average around $65,000.
• By sourcing appropriate trials, employers can achieve meaningful cost savings while providing access to cutting-edge treatments.

Ensuring Diverse Patient Access to Clinical Trials

PHM ensures that clinical trials are accessible to a diverse patient population by:

• Providing support to individuals regardless of their geographic location or socioeconomic background.
• Offering resources and information to help patients navigate and enroll in trials.
• Working alongside local community providers to increase awareness and access to clinical trials.

Key Takeaways for Employers

• Consider clinical trials as part of your healthcare strategy, even if they're not explicitly included in your plan design.
• Partner with organizations that can help navigate the complex landscape of clinical trials and cancer care.
• Focus on the 5% of your population that accounts for a significant portion of healthcare spend, particularly those with complex conditions like cancer.
• Look for comprehensive solutions that address all cancer types, as cancer is not a single disease.

By embracing clinical trials and partnering with expert organizations like PHM, employers can not only manage costs more effectively but also provide their employees with access to potentially life-saving treatments. This approach represents a win-win situation, improving both health outcomes and financial sustainability in the face of rising cancer care costs.

For more information on this topic, download PHM's white paper on clinical trials in cancer care at privatehealth.com/insights.

Listen to the full podcast episode here
Explore the PHM and Springbuk partnership here