ACCC Releases 2015 Patient Assistance and Reimbursement Guide

ROCKVILLE, Md. – The Association of Community Cancer Centers (ACCC) announces the release of the ACCC 2015 Patient Assistance and Reimbursement Guide. This easy-to-use guide is designed to help cancer program staff identify resources for patients who may be overwhelmed with the financial burdens of cancer care, particularly uninsured and underinsured patients.

Increasingly, there is recognition of the potential for "financial toxicity" as an unwanted side effect of cancer care. More and more cancer programs are responding by offering some type of financial advocacy services for patients. According to ACCC’s 2014 survey of member cancer programs, 90% of respondents report offering some type of financial assistance services for patients. Survey respondents say they are seeing increasing numbers of patients who need help with prescription drug expenses, co-pays, and co-insurance. While help exists, navigating the requirements, restrictions, and application processes for patient assistance programs can be daunting—for providers and patients alike.

“The last thing patients with cancer need to deal with is additional stress,” said ACCC President Becky DeKay. “ACCC is pleased to provide the Patient Assistance and Reimbursement Guide, an essential tool that thousands of cancer program staff access throughout the year in their efforts to assist patients with financial concerns, and hopefully reduce worries about how they will afford their care.”

ACCC’s 2015 Patient Assistance and Reimbursement Guide—now in its fifth year—is a robust tool that brings together information on pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical patient assistance programs, as well as reimbursement resources, in a user-friendly format.

The 2015 edition of the Patient Assistance and Reimbursement Guide includes:

• 7 steps for improving the patient experience with the chemotherapy process
• Patient assistance program flow chart tool to estimate patient responsibility of treatment costs
• Patient assistance program quick reference guide
• Sample letters, forms, and checklists.

"I use ACCC's Patient Assistance and Reimbursement Guide on a daily basis," said Ariel Foster, Patient Financial Advocate, Mountain States Tumor Institute. "There are about 12 financial advocates within our system, and we always share resources when trying to identify assistance for specific situations. Ninety percent of the time, the response is: ‘Have you looked in ACCC’s Guide?’"

ACCC's 2015 Patient Assistance and Reimbursement Guide is available in print and as a PDF with links directly to the patient assistance program websites, the forms patients and providers need, and more.

ACCC offers an array of tools, resources, and training for cancer program financial advocates through the Financial Advocacy Network. Learn more here.