FinThrive Chargemaster and Claims Data Study

This white paper presents a study conducted by the FinThrive Data Insights team, focusing on colorectal cancer staging at the time of treatment initiation, particularly in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. The study aims to analyze the impact of delayed screenings on the stage of colon cancer at diagnosis, utilizing chargemaster and claims data from 2023 and 2024. The research identifies a significant increase in Stage IV colon cancer diagnoses in the post-COVID cohort compared to pre-COVID periods, alongside a notable decline in early-stage diagnoses. The findings suggest that the pandemic has adversely affected screening rates, with an estimated 85% decrease in colorectal cancer screenings during the early months of COVID-19. The paper outlines the methodology for analyzing treatment initiation stages and emphasizes the need for further investigation into the factors contributing to these trends, including patient demographics and healthcare resource allocation during the pandemic.