PAYMENT AND COVERAGE ISSUES AFFECTING MEDICAL ONCOLOGY

Medical oncologists continue to face significant issues in obtaining f ull payment for and coverage of their services by third-party payers. A number of issues raised by the Medicare fee schedule have, however, been at least partially resolved in a favorable manner. There continue to be problems in coverage of off-label drug uses and services associ ated with clinical trials. The impending reform of the health care sys tem may improve the situation or it may give rise to further difficult ies.