Financial toxicity in clinical care today: a “menu without prices” 1

ustralia delivers health outcomes that rank demonstrate that public surgical waiting times for a well internationally, with per capita spending Ademonstrably less than that of the United States. Of concern, Australia’s out-of-pocket costs for health care are sixth highest among Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development countries, despite universal health insurance. These out-of-pocket expenses accounted for57%ofnon-governmenthealth expenditure in2011e12, or over 17% of all health care expenditure. Health care costs in Australia continue to risewell above the consumer price index. The net burden of costs are reported by clinicians to influence some decisions that patients make, with the potential for detrimental health outcomes for individuals and for Australia’s health as a whole.