Unrestricted Payment Program for Cancer

Recruiting in Palo Alto (17 mi)

+1 other location

Overseen byVeena Shankaran, MD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Travel: May Be Covered

Time Reimbursement: Varies

Trial Phase: Academic

Waitlist Available

Sponsor: Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center

No Placebo Group

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?This clinical trial studies whether an unrestricted cash payment program can be used to improve financial and clinical outcomes in early-stage cancer patients with financial concerns. A cancer diagnosis can have poor financial outcomes, and the cost of cancer treatment can lead to high medical debt and financial hardships for the patient and family. Financial hardship during cancer treatment is associated with adverse outcomes including poorer quality of life, lower treatment compliance, more aggressive use of hospital-based care, and worse survival. Newly diagnosed cancer patients with financial concerns may avoid treatment entirely so that they can continue to work and maintain income, provide for their families, or pay rent. An unrestricted cash payment program provides patients with a preloaded cash card once monthly. The patients can choose what to use the card to pay for and may include items like food, rent, or utilities. This provides a period of guaranteed income for the patients and may prevent them from falling into poverty and improve financial and clinical outcomes.

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for early-stage cancer patients who are struggling financially. It aims to help those who might skip treatment to work or pay bills, like rent and food. To join, participants must be newly diagnosed with cancer and have financial concerns.

Inclusion Criteria

* Age \>= 18

* Ability to understand English

* Ability to understand and willingness to sign a written informed consent document. Legally authorized representatives may sign and give informed consent on behalf of study participants

+5 more

Participant Groups

The PAYMENT Trial is testing if giving cancer patients a cash card every month with no spending restrictions helps them financially and improves their health outcomes. The study involves interviews, reviewing medical records, support services, and surveys.

2Treatment groups

Experimental Treatment

Active Control

Group I: Arm A (high payment schedule)Experimental Treatment4 Interventions

Patients receive a $1000 preloaded cash card once monthly for 3 months.

Group II: Arm B (low payment schedule)Active Control4 Interventions

Patients receive a $100 preloaded cash card once monthly for 3 months.