CANCER INSURANCE POLICIES IN JAPAN AND THE UNITED-STATES

Cancer care in the United States often results in financial hardship f or patients and their families, Standard health insurance covers most medical costs, but nonmedical costs (such as lost wages, deductibles, copayments, and travel to and from caregivers) are paid out of pocket. Over the course of treatment, these costs can become substantial. Ins urance companies have addressed the burden of these out-of-pocket cost s by offering supplemental cancer insurance policies that, upon diagno sis of cancer, pay cash benefits for items that usually require out-of -pocket expenditures and are distinct from reimbursements made by trad itional health insurance. Limitations associated with managed care hav e fostered increased consumer awareness and interest in the United Sta tes for cancer insurance and its ability to defray treatment expenditu res that usually require out-of-pocket payments, Marketing campaigns a re becoming more aggressive, and the number of cancer insurance polici es sold has been steadily rising. While cancer insurance is only recen tly gaining popularity in the United States, it has been a successful product in Japan for over twenty years. In Japan, approximately one-qu arter of the population own cancer insurance, and ten-year retention r ates are estimated at 75%, As a result, individuals are afforded good access to nonmedical cancer services, Understanding the factors that l ed to the success of cancer insurance in Japan may assist policymakers in evaluating cancer insurance policies as they become more prevalent in the United States.