Financial Advocacy & Patient Assistance Resources

The New Mexico Society of Clinical Oncology (NMSCO) is committed to providing physicians and their patients with the tools they need to navigate the complexities of paying for cancer treatment. Below is a library of resources provided by NMSCO and the Association of Community Cancer Centers (ACCC) to help the multidisciplinary cancer team integrate financial health practices and help patients gain access to high-quality care.

In January 2022, ACCC upgraded its Patient Assistance & Reimbursement Guide print publication to a searchable, digital format!

You can now find the most up-to-date information on oncology assistance and reimbursement programs by searching for a prescribed product or company name, then further streamline your search by applying coverage and assistance-type filters.

Access details on all available financial assistance and reimbursement program benefits, application information, and eligibility criteria. Listings include direct links to external websites and company phone numbers and will be updated in real-time, so you’ll always have access to the latest information and external program links.

The digital Guide links directly to the ICD-10 codes website and the Library of NCCN Compendia for current indications. These resources were identified by ACCC members as the most up-to-date and authoritative source for this information.

ACCC Digital Patient Assistance & Reimbursement Guide

Financial Advocacy Playbook

The ACCC Financial Advocacy Network brought together experts in financial advocacy to create this Playbook—a comprehensive tool to support onboarding and continuous learning for staff who deliver financial advocacy services. In it you will find the basics of financial advocacy, including common terminology and definitions, and details on benefits verification, financial distress screening, prior authorizations, insurance education and optimization, and how to secure available financial assistance options for qualifying patients..
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Financial Advocacy Toolkit

ACCC, its members, and partners have collected new and updated resources to help you develop, implement, and continue to deliver effective financial advocacy services in your cancer program or practice. These resources include guides and tools for building financial advocacy programs, communicating with patients, screening for financial distress, optimizing insurance coverage, performing prior authorizations, handling denials and appeals, and so much more.
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Financial Advocacy Bootcamp

The ACCC Financial Advocacy Boot Camp offers powerful training to boost Your financial navigation services. Two sets of dynamic online courses offer the tools your staff needs to help patients pay for treatment—while maximizing reimbursement at your program. Free registration is a benefit of IOS membership.
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Patient Assistance Brochure

Dealing with a cancer diagnosis is stressful enough without having to worry about how to pay for treatment. This patient-facing brochure provides your patients with easily digestible information for exploring financial assistance programs through drug manufacturers and nonprofit organizations.
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Financial Advocacy Services Guidelines

The ACCC Financial Advocacy Services Guidelines address the critical need for early intervention by financial advocates to mitigate the financial burden of cancer. Whether your program is already providing financial advocacy services or is just in the planning stages, these guidelines offer the structure and support needed to advance your work.
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FROM THE ACCCBUZZ BLOG

A Powerful Practice: In-House Pantries Combat Food Insecurity for Patients With Cancer
Jessica Ridge
August 28, 2024
While 10% of households in the US report food insecurity, it's estimated that that between 17% and 55% of patients diagnosed with cancer are affected. Many cancer institutions and programs have taken it upon themselves to decrease the burden of patient food insecurity by initiating their own food pantries, with setups ranging from compact, utility-closet–based versions that include personal care products to larger-footprint, open-plan spaces designed to approximate a shopping experience.
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.
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.

Publications

Fighting Financial Toxicity
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Making-Case-for-Hiring-Financial-Navigator-100x130 Making the Business Case for Hiring a Financial Navigator
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From Oncology Issues

How Do You DISCO?
Lauren M. Hamel, et al.

Leveraging the Discussions of Cost App to reduce financial toxicity and improve treatment cost communication.
Compliance: 2022 Oncology Coding Update
Teri Bedard, BA, RT(R)(T), CPC

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and the American Medical Association's (AMA's) finalized coding updates for calendar year 2022.
Compliance: 2022 Physician and Freestanding Facilities Update
Teri Bedard, BA, RT(R)(T), CPC

The Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) for calendar year 2022.