Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) appears to be managed differently depending on the setting, resulting in costs variances, researchers concluded after conducting a recent study involving >1,000 individuals. Participants had newly-diagnosed AML and received standard induction chemotherapy. Investigators looked at AML treatment episode setting, duration, and costs for privately-insured (n=459) and Medicare (n=563) beneficiaries. Among the results:

• Average induction therapy costs were ~$145,000 for privately-insured and ~$86,000 for Medicare beneficiaries.
• Median inpatient duration was 1 month for both groups.
• After induction, 64% of privately-insured patients had ≥1 consolidation cycle, vs 53% of Medicare beneficiaries.
• Three-fourths of consolidation cycles in privately-insured patients took place in an inpatient setting, vs ~two-thirds of such cycles among Medicare beneficiaries.
• Average inpatient consolidation cycle costs were ~$28,000, and ~$29,000, respectively.
• Median inpatient cycle duration was 6 days in both groups.
• Average outpatient consolidation costs were ~$11,000 and ~$6000, respectively.
• Median outpatient cycle duration was 5 days in both groups.