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Patient Assistance Specialist To fight cancer successfully, patients and families must draw from their emotional, physical, spiritual and even financial reserves. The complexities of the business side of cancer care can be taxing and often create unexpected challenges. For this reason, FirstHealth supports two special programs designed to assist patients and families as they navigate cancer treatment. In early 2007, FirstHealth added a full-time oncology financial counselor to work one on one with patients. The counselor helps families understand the costs associated with treatments as well as details regarding their insurance coverage. The counselor also serves as a resource to answer questions and resolve any account-related issues. Likewise, a patient assistance specialist interacts with those patients who are receiving chemotherapy or infusion treatments. As appropriate, the patient assistance specialist connects patients to pharmaceutical companies or other related organizations that may be able to supplement insurance coverage of certain chemical treatments. By working in concert with families, these programs alleviate some of the stresses commonly associated with the cost of cancer care and treatment. |
