Dr Jennifer Malin on the Patient as the Payer in Oncology

The move to have patients shoulder greater share of their cost of care is particularly challenging in cancer care, according to Jennifer Malin, MD, medical director for oncology at Anthem.

Coming up with the several thousand dollars that is needed can be overwhelming for patients, and if they are on the bronze plan on the health insurance exchange, then they might need to come up with something like $6000, she explained.

"It's overwhelming when you have a major illnes that's going to be so costly," Dr Malin said.