All Financial Advocacy ACCCBuzz Articles

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Advocating for a Better Future: The Role of a Unique Network

April 15, 2024

Jordan Karwedsky, financial counselor at Green Bay Oncology and chairperson of the ACCC Financial Advocacy Network, discusses her plans for the network's future.

#AMCCBS: A Day on The Hill

February 29, 2024

To kick-off #AMCCBS, ACCC members traveled to Capitol Hill for the association’s first in-person Hill Day since 2019.

The Importance of Developing Health Equity Initiatives

February 07, 2024

Modern Healthcare's latest symposium on social drivers of health, gathered industry leaders to develop practical strategies for the promotion of health equity initiatives.

NCCN Patient Advocacy Summit: The Significance of Patient Navigation

By Chidi Ike
January 11, 2024

This is the second blog post is on the NCCN Patient Advocacy Summit: Navigating the Care Continuum from Screening Through Survivorship.

The Cost of Biomarker Testing: Moving from Support-based to Sustainable Solutions

December 12, 2023

ACCC, ACS CAN, and LUNGevity, launched a series of focus groups earlier this year aimed at making the case for increasing access to comprehensive genomic profiling for Medicaid beneficiaries.

#ACCCNOC: Financial Advocacy, Value-Based Care + Biomarker Testing

October 05, 2023

Key takeaways from day 1 of #ACCCNOC.

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Patient Navigation Services Promote Equitable Access to High-Quality Care

By Nicole Tapay, JD
September 21, 2023

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has recently proposed reimbursement for Principal Illness Navigation services under Medicare to help patients navigate treatment for serious illnesses such as cancer.

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Psychosocial Care in Oncology: Advocating for Policy Changes that Improve the Culture of Care

August 03, 2023

To explore the current state of psychosocial care in oncology, ACCC, with its partners, AOSW and APOS, with support from BeiGene—held a multistakeholder meeting, ACCC’s Call to Action: Delivery of Psychosocial Care in Oncology Summit.

ABC’s of Health Disparities

July 25, 2023

ACCC is working with multidisciplinary care teams to assess the impact of SDOH on equitable access to cancer care and clinical trials among minority populations.

Telehealth Improves Access + Affordability in Cancer Care

May 18, 2023

Telehealth can improve the experience of patients with cancer by facilitating access and reducing cost.

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The Psychosocial and Financial Aspects of Treating Myelofibrosis

April 11, 2023

ACCCBuzz spoke with Julie Huynh-Lu, PA-C—physician assistant in the Department of Leukemia at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center—to learn more about enhancing the care for patients with myelofibrosis by assessing and addressing their psychosocial and financial health.

Cancer's Economic Impact Among Adolescents and Young Adults

By Chidi Ike
April 04, 2023

The rising costs of anti-cancer treatment in the United States have placed adolescents and young adults with cancer at an increased risk for financial toxicity.

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ACCC Recognizes Social Work Month

March 30, 2023

In recognition of March as social work month, ACCCBuzz discusses the value of social workers as a member of the multidisciplinary cancer care team with Sarah Conning, MSW, LCSW, OSW-C, APHSW-C.

An Update on Healthcare Legislation at the State Level

By Christian G. Downs, MHA, JD
March 22, 2023

If you are looking for legislative action, look no further than your state's legislatures. Most—if not all—states have had issues relating to oncology care and healthcare in general come up during their 2023 sessions.

#AMCCBS: Clinical & Operational Updates in Oncology

March 09, 2023

Before opening the ACCC 49th Annual Meeting & Cancer Center Business Summit to its membership, ACCC held two pre-conference events on Wednesday, March 8. Learn more about what was discussed among invited speakers during these events.

ACCC Announces its 2023 Advocacy Agenda

March 07, 2023

For 2023, ACCC members have identified four core areas of focus (e.g., reimbursement, utilization management, provider-patient choice), among a larger set of issues and concerns, that the association will be supporting this year.

The American Healthcare Cost Crisis: Addressing Administrative Waste and More

March 02, 2023

Marty Makary, MD, MPH, discusses the American healthcare cost crisis, in his keynote address at the North Carolina Oncology Association and South Carolina Oncology Society annual joint conference.

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Oncology Care Models: Moving the Needle on Alternative Payment

January 19, 2023

The breakthroughs in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer in recent years has been accompanied by an increased interest in new avenues to pay for these lifesaving services—giving way to The Enhancing Oncology Model.

Patient Navigation: Taking Stock of the Past and Looking to the Future

By Chidi Ike
January 11, 2023

Dr. Harold P. Freeman channeled his experience growing up in a segregated society to implement the first patient navigation program in the United States.

Financial Measurement Streamlines Revenue Cycle Management

By Thea Sinclair
November 17, 2022

Learn how a thriving revenue cycle management process ensures well-timed revenue, steady collection, and healthy financial viability for a healthcare organization, while focusing on providing high-quality care to patients.

Providing Comprehensive Financial Advocacy Services in Rural America

November 15, 2022

Patients with cancer in rural areas have a substantial need for financial advocacy services, as they experience financial toxicity at a disproportionate rate.

Burnout in Oncology: Results from ACCC’s 2022 Mini Z Survey

By Barbara Schmidtman, PhD
November 08, 2022

Dr. Barbara Schmidtman highlights key findings from the 2022 ACCC Mini Z burnout survey, comparing results from the pre-pandemic 2019 to now.

Better Supporting Patients with HR+, HER2- Breast Cancer

November 02, 2022

ACCC has engaged experts through a vodcast series from CANCER BUZZ TV, focusing on specific issues regarding treatment adherence to oral therapies, treatment-related side effects, patient education, and financial barriers for patients with HR+, HER2- breast cancer.

The Multifaceted Role of an Oncology Pharmacist

By Chidi Ike
October 20, 2022

In recognition of American Pharmacists Month, ACCCBuzz spoke to Dr. Sarah Hudson-DiSalle at The James Cancer Hospital to learn more about her role on the cancer care team.

ACCC Recognizes Pharmacy Technician Day

October 18, 2022

In recognition of Pharmacy Technician Day today (October 18), ACCCBuzz spoke with Danielle Duy, CPhT, to learn more about her role on the multidisciplinary cancer care team.

#ACCCNOC: What Does the Future of Cancer Care Look Like?

October 13, 2022

The ACCC 39th National Oncology Conference opened with two pre-conferences, covering financial advocacy in oncology and the future of cancer care. Learn what care delivery may look like in 2040 and how ACCC is supporting cancer programs and practices through its Financial Advocacy Network.

Calculator and Stethoscope on Medical Bill_ACCCBuzz

New Report Shows Hospitals Bear Financial Toxicity Burden

By Chidi Ike
September 08, 2022

The past decade has seen a dramatic increase in the cost of healthcare in the United States, and as insurers pass an increasing portion of healthcare costs to patients, hospitals are left to bear the burden unpaid medical fees.

ACCC Forum Focuses on Technology Solutions to Mitigate Workforce Shortages

September 06, 2022

On August 18, ACCC President David R. Penberthy, MD, hosted his second Tech Talk, as 40 ACCC members came together to brainstorm technology solutions to mitigate oncology workforce shortages. Learn about the day’s discussion and the variety of artificial intelligence (AI)- and business intelligence (BI)-enabled platforms that are available to support your workforce.

Financial Advocacy Strategies to Maximize Charitable Patient Assistance

By Audrey Quartey
August 17, 2022

Around half of patients with cancer and survivors of cancer are dealing with financial toxicity, and one of the best ways to handle this is through financial navigation. For 18 years, the Patient Access Network (PAN) Foundation has helped patients pay their out-of-pocket treatment costs.

Advocating in Oncology: The Importance of State-Based Grassroots

July 26, 2022

Dr. David Eagle shares why grassroot advocacy efforts are so important to furthering health equity and person-centered care in oncology, including how state-based efforts curbed harmful pharmacy benefit manager practices in New York.

How Does the EOM Compare to the OCM?

By Matt Devino, MPH
July 20, 2022

ACCC Director Cancer Care Delivery and Health Policy Matt Devino, MPH, lays out the four key differences between the OCM and EOM that interested applicants need to consider.

The Impact of Oncology Financial Advocacy: A Patient Story

July 14, 2022

Allen Beck and Rivka Beck were newly weds when Allen was diagnosed with myelodysplastic syndrome. A month before he was scheduled to complete a bone marrow transplant, he lost the insurance coverage provided by his university. Angie Santiago, CRCS, the manager of Oncology Financial Advocacy at Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center at the Thomas Jefferson University Health System in Philadelphia, Pa, made sure he was able to get the health insurance coverage he needed to complete his treatment.

VCU’s Medical-Legal Partnership Meets Oncology Patients’ Needs

July 07, 2022

The VCU Massey Cancer Center incorporated a legal service at their center because more work had to be done to address social determinants of health rooted in legal problems in order to offer comprehensive services that met the full gamut of its patients’ needs.

Leading in Oncology Through Change

By Barbara Schmidtman, PhD
June 30, 2022

Though managing and adapting to change can be two of the most stressful and intimidating elements of leadership, Dr. Schmidtman shares why leaders should embrace change just as their patients do.

2022 ACCC Hill Day: Members Meet with Congress

June 24, 2022

Advocating on behalf of their patients and programs, ACCC members from 14 states participated in Virtual Hill Day, speaking with Congress and their staff on key legislation asks regarding access to care, telehealth, prior authorizations, and more.

Medicare Ahead: Equity, Accountability, Sustainability

June 21, 2022

Looking to the future, CMS is seeking to leverage the agency’s strength to advance health equity; drive high-quality, person-centered care; and promote the affordability and sustainability of the Medicare Program.

Financial Advocates Discuss Challenges in Radiation Oncology

June 13, 2022

It is no surprise to financial advocates that accessing treatment cost assistance for radiation oncology patients is a major challenge. In response, ACCC’s Financial Advocacy Network held two small-group coffee chats to assist its members in identifying and addressing barriers to financial support for patients receiving radiation therapy.

ACCC Forms Alliance to Improve Cancer Care Continuum

June 08, 2022

ACCC has partnered with several of its oncology state societies to establish the Appalachian Community Cancer Alliance—a key effort to address disparities in cancer screening and care delivery in the region.

Leading Through Trust

By Barbara Schmidtman, PhD
May 31, 2022

The last time I wrote for ACCCBuzz, I shared that I would try to find nuggets of wisdom that were inspiring me in my work and day-to-day life in hope of inspiring you. One topic that keeps coming to my mind: building trust among our teams and colleagues.

Speaker Reflections: Attending ACCC’s Oncology Reimbursement Meetings

By Wendi Waugh, RT(R)(T), CMD, CTR
May 27, 2022

ACCC Board Member Wendi Waugh tells ACCCBuzz about her experience speaking at and attending the in-person Oncology Reimbursement Meetings this spring, covering topics from financial advocacy in oncology to formulary management and networking with colleagues to address workforce concerns at your cancer center.

Study Highlights Need for Medicare Advantage Prior Authorization Reform

By Matt Devino, MPH
May 24, 2022

ACCC is supporting the Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act of 2021, which would require Medicare Advantage plans to standardize and streamline prior authorization processes and increase the transparency of their requirements to prevent unnecessary denials and delays in patient care.

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NOLA + Pathways Partnership: Meeting Patients’ Needs Locally

May 11, 2022

The final post in a three-blog series, ACCCBuzz spoke to Megan Morava, PA-C, and Alexandra Greenawalt who share how one independent oncology practice and local community center are taking action to improve equitable cancer care delivery at the local level.

Local Action Improves Access to Key Oncology Services

April 28, 2022

The second post in a three-blog series, ACCCBuzz shares how Carolina Blood and Cancer Care Associates' NOLA initiative is addressing access to care, clinical trials, biomarker testing, and more.

Tips for Assisting Uninsured Patients with Treatment Costs

March 24, 2022

Jeanie Troy, a financial navigator at Lake Region Healthcare in the Cancer Care and Research Center, discusses how to help uninsured patients access their anti-cancer treatment if they are not eligible for Medicare or Medicaid.

Recap: ACCC’s 48th Annual Meeting and Cancer Center Business Summit, Part 2

March 15, 2022

After convening its members, sponsors, and industry partners in Washington, DC, for the first time since the dawn of COVID-19, ACCC Buzz shares a glimpse of the activities and insights the final day at ACCC’s 48th Annual Meeting and Cancer Center Business Summit.

ACCC Updates Financial Advocacy Services Guidelines

February 28, 2022

In response to the ever-changing landscape of healthcare and financial advocacy, the ACCC Financial Advocacy Network is collaborating this year with its partners to update ACCC’s Financial Advocacy Services Guidelines.

The Year in Review: ACCC Financial Advocacy Network

January 18, 2022

The new year brings with it new goals and plans for ACCC’s Financial Advocacy Network. But before talking about the innovations to come in 2022, let’s look back at the accomplishments of 2021.

Spotlight on Financial Advocates

December 16, 2021

As we approach the end of 2021, ACCCBuzz is recognizing the individuals who have been featured in our Financial Advocate Spotlights and the incredible stories they have shared with us.

Offering Free Patient Services Can Be Rewarding and Compliant

By Rachel Marquez, MPH
December 09, 2021

Because transportation disruptions can result in missed appointments, treatment delays, and potentially adverse health outcomes, we must help ensure that our patients have access to safe and reliable means of transportation.

Oncology Staff Share Staffing, Morale Concerns

November 10, 2021

Discussions about staffing shortages, burnout, and heavy workloads have taken center stage during recent meetings with ACCC members. Learn what financial advocates and others are experiencing in their cancer program or practice and leadership are doing or plan to do to rebuild morale and team connections.

Preparing for Open Enrollment

By Jordan Karwedsky
October 25, 2021

While we talk to patients about insurance coverage and answer their related questions throughout the year, the health insurance Marketplace and Medicare open enrollment seasons provide the best opportunity to educate patients about their insurance options.

ACCC Unveils New Tool for Financial Advocates

September 28, 2021

To help cancer programs and practices establish and maintain robust financial navigation programs, ACCC's Financial Advocacy Network recently developed the “Ready, Set, Go! Financial Advocacy Playbook” for all members of the cancer care team—particularly those who provide any level of financial advocacy services.

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ACCC Recognizes Prostate Cancer Awareness Month

September 14, 2021

ACCC has long highlighted the racial and ethnic disparities that exist in oncology and hematology care delivery to advocate for true health equity for all patients with cancer. Through various programs, ACCC helps teach members of the multidisciplinary cancer care team how they can help patients overcome barriers and disparities in various treatment settings.

Despite Setbacks, Biosimilars Market Share Continues to Increase

By Matt Devino, MPH
September 10, 2021

With total spending on U.S. cancer care projected to rise 34 percent from 2015-2030 to $245 billion, biosimilars can play a role in helping reduce those costs. Learn how Biden’s executive order on promoting competition in the American economy will require the FDA's biosimilars approval framework to be clearer and easier to follow.

Legislation Aims to Ease Patient Access to Oral Oncolytics

By Matt Devino, MPH
August 10, 2021

The enormous out-of-pocket cost difference between well-covered traditional chemotherapies and often-uncovered oral oncolytics can result in levels of financial toxicity from which many patients struggle to return. To address this issue, the U.S. House of Representatives has this year reintroduced the Cancer Parity Act, which seeks to resolve unequal cost-sharing for oral oncolytics.

Using Medicaid to Help Uninsured Patients Afford Their Care

July 27, 2021

ACCC worked with members of the ACCC Financial Advocacy Network to provide guidance on how to help patients access much-need financial assistance regardless of their insurance status. Here, a financial navigator at Kettering Cancer Care in Kettering, Ohio, discusses how to help patients afford their cancer care if they are uninsured or underinsured and if they are eligible to participate in their state’s Medicaid program.

Mobile App Eases Patient Cost-of-Care Conversations

June 29, 2021

Financial toxicity in oncology is a long-standing issue for patients with cancer. As increasing costs related to cancer care put financial strain on patients, so too do the indirect costs of a cancer diagnosis and treatment—travel, childcare, and other daily living needs. Learn how 2021 ACCC Innovator Award winner Dr. Lauren Hamel at Wayne State University School of Medicine; Karmanos Cancer Institute has set out to address current trends in treatment-related cost discussions between patients and their care team members through a mobile app to make these conversations a vital part of patients’ treatment plans.

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Tips for Helping Relieve Patients of Financial Burden

June 25, 2021

Knowing what co-pay assistance each patient needs and where to find it—often in short order—is key to successfully securing funding and ultimately enabling access to necessary treatment. These four key steps can help financial advocates obtain patients co-pay, premium, or travel assistance from independent patient foundations.

New Louisiana Law Bans White Bagging

By Matt Devino, MPH
June 17, 2021

On June 1, 2021, the Governor of Louisiana signed legislation that banned “white bagging” in the state, ensuring that health insurers cannot refuse to pay for approved physician-administered drugs and related services to covered patients. It is the first such law in the United States.

ACCC Virtual Hill Day Brings Together Members, Lawmakers

June 04, 2021

“For me, this experience was excellent, and I felt prepared with the preparation ACCC offered,” said Jared Kast, RT(T), MHA. The successful ACCC Virtual Hill Day—held May 12, 2021—brought together ACCC members and state lawmakers. Learn more about what issues were discussed and members' experiences in this new virtual format.

Extending Telehealth Beyond the Pandemic

By Olalekan Ajayi, PharmD, MBA
May 17, 2021

Many patients with cancer now enjoy the invaluable benefits and flexibilities that telehealth makes possible. Patients have more convenient access to appointments, increased support from family caregivers who can attend virtual visits, and more time to focus on their work and families. Olalekan Ajayi, PharmD, MBA explains how the Telehealth Modernization Act can make this expanded healthcare access available beyond the pandemic.

Telehealth Legislation at Forefront of ACCC Virtual Hill Day

April 21, 2021

This year's ACCC 2021 Virtual Hill Day, which will take place May 12, will offer ACCC members a new way to experience advocacy trainings, legislative briefings, and Congressional meetings from the comfort of their home or office. This year, ACCC's legislative priorities will focus on the Telehealth Modernization Act and the Safe Step Act of 2021.

Helping Financial Advocates Track Patient Assistance & Preauthorizations

April 15, 2021

The interactive and virtual ACCC Financial Advocacy Network Town Hall: Tips for Tracking Impact, held March 23, 2021, featured financial navigation experts sharing tips and tools to address patient financial need. The town hall is now available on demand.

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What Does the American Rescue Plan Mean for Health Care Coverage?

By Timothy S. Jost, emeritus professor, Washington and Lee University School of Law
March 19, 2021

The $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan (ARP) is a comprehensive attempt to address the problems raised by the COVID-19 pandemic and the accompanying economic disruption. This post examines COBRA and marketplace subsidy provisions, which are expected to extend insurance coverage to millions of Americans.

New Administration Opens ACA Marketplace for Special Enrollment Period

By Kristin Marie Ferguson, DNP, RN, OCN
February 16, 2021

On February 15, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services opened healthcare.gov for a special enrollment period that runs through May 15. “By opening the health insurance marketplace, President Biden is providing our patients with options they did not have available to them before,” says Lori Schneider, chair of ACCC’s Financial Advocacy Network and oncology operations manager at Green Bay Oncology. “It is imperative that all cancer centers review and discuss these options with their patients to help prevent financial toxicity.”

The Best (and Worst) of 2020

December 30, 2020

CMS Enters 2021

December 21, 2020

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Access Free Webinars from ACCC’s Financial Advocacy Network Virtual Summit

November 24, 2020

Navigating in a New Era: Crisis and Opportunity

October 28, 2020

Navigators are problem solvers. ... We're filling in gaps where we’re needed, helping with screening, implementing cleaning protocols, and helping staff transition to virtual work.

Reframing Financial Navigation During COVID-19

September 28, 2020

Pills spilled onto medicare card and money

Financial Advocacy During a Pandemic

August 21, 2020

Recent Layoffs Portend Higher Uninsured Rate

July 07, 2020

Curated COVID-19 Resources for Financial Advocacy

June 18, 2020

Puzzle pieces with money and capitol on them

Pandemic Puts Financial Squeeze on Patients

May 28, 2020

CMS Interim Final Rule 2 COVID-19 Response: Telehealth

May 08, 2020

COVID-19: What Cancer Patients Need to Know

March 24, 2020

Waste Not, Want Not

March 18, 2020

Advocacy in Action: Anna’s Story

March 02, 2020

Enhancing Patient Care by Promoting Health Literacy

February 20, 2020

ACCC Policy Update, Part 2

February 13, 2020

The Evolving Role of the Financial Navigator

February 06, 2020

World Cancer Day: Together We Are Stronger

February 04, 2020

ACCC’s Landmark Cancer Community Survey Turns 10

January 28, 2020

How Targeted Therapies are Affecting the Cancer Care Team: A Conversation With Dr. Firas El Chaer

January 21, 2020

Oncology Experts Explore Strategies for Navigating Step Therapy

December 02, 2019

ACCC Pre-Conference Affirms Growing Role of the Financial Navigator

October 31, 2019

ACCC Debuts CANCER BUZZ Podcast

August 06, 2019

Post-Learning Lab: A Focus on Metrics, Data, and Common Ground

August 01, 2019

Learning Labs: Assessing & Improving Financial Advocacy Services

July 29, 2019

Post-Learning Lab: Broader Stakeholder Engagement, Proactive Steps

July 18, 2019

Learning Lab Focuses on Better Integration of Patient Financial Advocacy Services

July 15, 2019

Healthcare Costs Are High, But Even Higher for Cancer Survivors

July 01, 2019

Proactive Precertification Pays Off

June 03, 2019

Technology’s Role in Streamlining Financial Advocacy

May 06, 2019

Speak Out—ACCC Capitol Hill Day 2019

Blair Burnett, Senior Policy Analyst, ACCC
January 14, 2019

What Just Happened? 2018!

Amanda Patton, ACCC Communications
December 31, 2018

Financial Advocates: Sharing Insights & Strategies

By Joseph Kim, MD, MPH, MBA
October 05, 2016

Financial Advocacy Services - A Patient's Perspective

By ACCC Communications
June 23, 2016

Snapshot of a Case-Based Financial Advocacy Network Workshop

By Joseph Kim, MD, MPH, MBA
June 15, 2016

Financial Advocates: Helping to Close the Gap

Amanda Patton, ACCC Communications
May 17, 2016

Financial Advocates: Working to Curb the Economic Impact of Cancer

By Amanda Patton, ACCC Communications
February 16, 2016

Calculator, stethscope, and financial statement

Lessening the Financial Side Effects of Care

By Amanda Patton, Manager, Communications, ACCC
February 03, 2014

No one would argue with the fact that stresses related to the financial burden of the cost of cancer treatment are the last thing cancer patients and their families need.

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