Step Therapy in Cancer Care: A Patient’s Perspective
Published Date:
In The Philadelphia Inquirer, Paul O’Hara shares his experience navigating insurer-imposed step therapy while living with chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML). Before covering the treatment his oncologist prescribed, his insurer required him to try and fail on other medications.
O’Hara describes how his oncology team helped him access treatment through a drug company program. He argues that physicians should determine cancer treatment and calls for support of the Safe Step Act to provide timely exceptions when step therapy is medically inappropriate.
For oncology professionals working through coverage barriers, his account brings the patient perspective into the conversation about treatment access and step therapy reform.
For more on step therapy barriers and NCODA’s advocacy efforts, visit our Step Edits Hub.