Jordan Johnson: Medicare Advantage Patients Receive Older Tech and Face Increased Costs
Jordan Johnson, Founding Partner of Bridge Oncology and Founder of The Healthcare Hub, shared a post on LinkedIn:
“Medicare Advantage isn’t lowering radiation oncology costs – despite aggressive prior authorization requirements.
A new study in JAMA Network Open adds to growing evidence that radiation oncology patients in Medicare Advantage plans face higher spending, longer treatment durations, and reduced access to advanced technology – all while providers navigate the heaviest prior authorization burden in medicine.
In a review of over 30,000 radiotherapy episodes:
MA patients spent more: $8,677 vs. $8,393 (Traditional Medicare)
Received older tech: Less stereotactic and proton therapy
Endured longer treatment episodes – a trend across all cancer types and modalities
This reinforces what Bridge Oncology is seeing across departments and systems: utilization controls are not always translating to value, especially when care quality and access are impacted. At Bridge Oncology, we help departments and physicians:
- Uncover data blind spots
- Align treatment pathways with evidence-based care
- Ensure prior auth strategy doesn’t compromise patient access
- Demonstrate how delivery inefficiencies directly affect cost and care quality
This research validates the importance of transparency, data-driven strategy, and a clinical lens when navigating payer pressures. Radiation oncology can’t afford a one-size-fits-all approach to cost control.
We’re proud to partner with programs that want more than just compliance – they want clarity, outcomes, and a path forward.”
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