The Ethical and Practical Issues of Guiding Uninsured Patients with Skin Cancer to Resources that Alleviate Financial Burden.

Abstract

A skin cancer diagnosis imposes not only a psychosocial burden but also significant financial stress due to treatment costs. This stress can intensify dramatically for patients who suddenly lose health insurance coverage, especially considering that uninsured patients are more likely to experience late-stage melanoma diagnoses and face a higher overall incidence of skin cancer than the general population. Dermatology clinics and physicians serving uninsured and vulnerable populations should be equipped with resources and strategies to ensure these patients receive adequate and timely care. We explore the ethical and actual challenges uninsured patients encounter in accessing dermatologic care for skin cancer and offer practical solutions to address and mitigate these barriers.