KCCI
By: Kayla James
Mission, an organization with more than 20 community clinics with physicians providing oncology care across Iowa.
DES MOINES, Iowa —Some Des Moines-metro area cancer patients and survivors say they’re experiencing higher costs for oncology care after the University of Iowa Health Care acquired an organization known for providing services.
In late 2024, UI Health Care acquired Mission. Mission is an organization with more than 20 community clinics with physicians providing oncology care located across Iowa.
For years, breast cancer survivor Theresa Agey received care from Mission.
“My cancer specifically was hormone-driven, so I now get a monthly injection,” said Theresa Agey. “Basically, it suppresses all of my hormones—so estrogen, progesterone—so that my cancer does return because that is what my cancer was feeding off of.”
Agey has been receiving the injection for seven years through Mission.
Until recently, Mission was partners with the John Stoddard Cancer Center at UnityPoint. Mission’s clinic inside the center is still being used, but once the lease is up in December Mission will move to a new space at 110 Court Avenue in downtown Des Moines.
Last month, UnityPoint opened its own Oncology and Hematology Clinic in the John Stoddard Cancer Center to replace the services Mission offers.
Agey says with Mission prior to UIHC acquiring it, her injection cost $1,200, and her insurance picked up everything except for a $20 co-pay.
However, starting in June, that changed.
“They are billing the drug itself at about $4,070, and then they are also charging $689 to administer it,” said Agey. “I’m left to pay $807.”
According to Mission’s website, June 2nd marked the start of bills coming from University of Iowa Health Care.
Agey says she made multiple calls to better understand the uptick, and when she finally received a response, she was told they are now billing as an outpatient hospital instead of an office visit.
Mission’s website shows the organization switched to a hospital-based bill to integrate with UI Health Care. The website notes that depending on someone’s insurance, it could lead to higher out-of-pocket costs.
The website also explains what a hospital-based bill means. It explains that patients are being treated as part of a hospital using both doctor care and hospital care. Doctor fees are described as services of a health care provider during a clinic visit or procedure, including the reading of test results. Hospitals are noted to include things like room, equipment, supplies, testing, nursing, etc., for a clinic visit or procedure performed in hospital space. The website says that includes things like tests, labs, and imaging.
“But I’m really not receiving either of those things when I go in to get this injection,” said Agey. “Besides a pair of gloves and a band-aid, there really isn’t any equipment that’s associated with it, so it’s injected straight out of the box, and that’s it. I don’t see a doctor.”
Agey now receives her treatment at The Iowa Clinic, which she says bills her insurance around $700.
“They are an office, though, so now I’m back to my $20 co-pay,” said Agey.
Agey tells KCCI she just wants to know why some places are allowed to charge that way.
“I can understand if I was actually at the hospital in Iowa City, but this is no different than just an office visit,” said Agey. “I don’t think this is just a problem with the University of Iowa. I think this is happening everywhere in our country as a whole, and I guess people just need to be aware of what they’re paying. I think mostly people need to know that there are other options.”
KCCI did reach out to University of Iowa Health Care and received the following statement:
Our teams have tremendous compassion and care for patients who are battling cancer. We work tirelessly every day to support our patients in every way possible. This includes working with them to better navigate their health care costs.
Billing is complex and is based on many factors. Each patient’s situation is unique and we are committed to helping patients understand their bills. We encourage patients to reach out to our Patient Financial Services team for personalized assistance with any billing questions at 319-384-2196 or 866-393-4605.
