JAMA Network Open: Cross-State Travel for Cancer Care and Implications for Telehealth Reciprocity

JAMA Network Open: Cross-State Travel for Cancer Care and Implications for Telehealth Reciprocity

In this cross-sectional study Medicare beneficiaries with cancer, approximately 7 percent of cancer care was delivered across state lines. Compared with urban-residing patients, isolated rural-residing patients were approximately two times more likely to cross state lines for surgical procedures, three times more likely to cross state lines for radiation therapy services, and almost four times more likely to cross state lines for chemotherapy services. The findings suggest that as telehealth use is integrated into care pathways for patients with cancer, policy in this realm should be aligned with practice. Additional coverage can be found in MedPage Today.