21st Century Oncology Provided More Than $30 Million in Free Cancer Care Services to Patients in Need Last Year; More than $100 Million in Past Five Years

FORT MYERS, Fla., May 4, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- 21^st Century Oncology, the world's leading provider of integrated cancer care services, announced today that it delivered more than $30 million in uncompensated care in 2014, and more than $100 million in the past five years. With a network of 145 community-based offices in the U.S., 21^st Century Oncology is a steadfast safety net for low-income Americans battling cancer, yet unable to afford oftentimes life-saving treatment due to inadequate insurance or inability to pay. The charity care also helps middle-class Americans who find themselves in financial stress due to the unpredictability of cancer care and the associated costs for specialized care. 

"Our mission at 21^st Century Oncology is two-fold," said 21^st Century Oncology's co-founder and CEO Daniel E. Dosoretz, M.D., F.A.C.R., F.A.C.R.O. "We want to provide high quality, state-of-the-art integrated cancer care services to those battling cancer.  However, we also want to ensure that every person has access to the same level of indispensable treatment – regardless of income.  That has been our mission from day one and we have stayed true to it."

Recent studies, including one from the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), have illuminated that low-income Americans diagnosed with cancer - such as those enrolled in Medicaid - "often receive lower-quality care and are more likely to be diagnosed at later stages of their disease than patients with private insurance."  21^st Century Oncology hopes to combat such trends and make meaningful strides toward treatment equity.

"Cancer care costs are not predictable and individuals and families can find themselves facing significant financial stress, which I can tell you, as a physician, should not be an added pressure or distraction for those going through such an emotional experience," added Dosoretz.  "Data also shows that more than 60 percent of bankruptcy filings among Americans involve medical debt.  We are sensitive and sympathetic to these unfortunate realities and therefore try to do our part to help ease the financial and emotional burdens our patients sometimes face during treatment.  It is the right thing to do."

21^st Century Oncology serves patients with the most appropriate state-of-the-art radiation therapy modality based on clinical need despite their ability to pay. In 2014 alone, 21^st Century Oncology was able to assist approximately 17,000 patients in need who either had Medicaid – which covers less than cost of care and significantly less than Medicare – or were covered by private insurance, but were unable to qualify for other financial assistance or pay for full courses of radiation therapy treatments.   In instances where patients are in need of cancer drugs related to their care, staff of 21^st Century Oncology work closely with patients to identify local, state and/or national sources (both private and public) who can provide chemo co-pay and deductible assistance to acquire those medications.

"Cancer is an indiscriminate disease, so we strive to be equally indiscriminate with patients populations we serve," said Dr. Dosoretz.  "Following a cancer diagnosis, finances are the last thing that patients should have to worry about.  Therefore, we at 21^st Century Oncology are committed to easing some of the stress that patients experience throughout their deeply personal care journeys.  We will absolutely continue to expand our efforts to benefit traditionally underserved patient populations we serve in the years to come."

For more information about our services, visit www.21stCenturyOncology.com.

About 21^st Century Oncology

21^st Century Oncology is the largest global, physician led provider of Integrated Cancer Care services. The company offers a comprehensive range of cancer treatment services, focused on delivering academic quality, cost-effective patient care in personal and convenient settings. As of March 31, 2015, the company operated 182 treatment centers, including 147 centers located in 17 states and 35 centers located in six countries in Latin America. The company holds market-leading positions in most of its domestic local markets and abroad.

SOURCE 21st Century Oncology