Ambitious program will improve navigation services through patients’ cancer journeys
Washington, D.C. (March 28, 2024) – The Alliance of Community Health Plans (ACHP) and three ACHP member executives joined a small roundtable yesterday hosted by First Lady Jill Biden to discuss the Biden Cancer Moonshot initiative and commitments to supporting patients and caregivers throughout the cancer journey. ACHP was glad to commit to providing member companies and their provider partners coding and billing information on cancer care navigation and – importantly – to educate its member companies on the impact of patient navigation services on improving patient care, reducing health care disparities and supporting the communities they serve.
“When you have someone who knows the system by your side every step of the way, it changes everything,” remarked Dr. Biden. “But for too long, these services weren’t available to many Americans. That’s because the proper billing codes didn’t exist. And this meant that insurers couldn’t pay for patient navigation services, so most medical practices couldn’t provide them.”
“We at the Alliance of Community Health Plans know that by collaborating closely with clinicians, patients and others in the community we can – and will – beat this devastating illness,” said Ceci Connolly, ACHP President and CEO, during her remarks at the White House. “Cancer patients and their families are faced with endless physical and emotional challenges during their cancer journey. The payer-provider partnership eliminates the hassle, allowing patients and their families to focus on what matters most: beating cancer. We look forward to working with First Lady Biden, our members and the Cancer Moonshot to advance efforts to end cancer as we know it.”
ACHP members HAP, Priority Health and Select Health also made pledge commitments supporting the initiative. “A cancer diagnosis triggers several emotions for patients, including fear, loss and a sense of feeling overwhelmed,” said Praveen Thadani, President and CEO of Priority Health. “Navigators are a positive first step to offer much-needed support for cancer patients, caregivers and families during such a complex journey and will reduce inequities driven by social determinants.”
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About ACHP
The Alliance of Community Health Plans (ACHP) represents the nation’s top-performing nonprofit health companies, which serve tens of millions of Americans across nearly 40 states and D.C. ACHP member plans collaborate with providers on high-quality coverage and care — leading the industry in practical reforms, including MA for Tomorrow, our vision for the future of Medicare Advantage.
ACHP is the voice of a unique payer-provider partnership model advancing proven solutions that deliver better value for patients, employers and taxpayers. Contact us for case studies and data about member innovations and results.
