Taking action
“ACS CAN is working every day to make clear to Congress and the administration the real and immediate challenges cancer patients and survivors face during this pandemic,” said Brooks-Coley.
With nearly 50 other professional and advocacy groups, ACS CAN has sent letters to congressional leadership and the Secretary of the Department of Health & Human Services asking them to make policy changes that would help patients.
The proposed action points include having insurers allow patients to use providers who are out of network if necessary; waiving site-specific precertification and prior authorization for cancer treatment; utilizing shared decision making between patients and providers in deciding whether to use home infusion without pressure from the insurer; allowing patients to obtain 90-day supplies of medication; increasing funding for state Medicaid programs and assistance for those who have lost employee-sponsored coverage; and improving telehealth services.
“We urge Congress and the administration to keep the needs of cancer patients and survivors in mind as they continue to address the public health crisis,” she said.
This article first appeared on Medscape.com.