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Financial Advocacy

The Association of Cancer Care Centers (ACCC) is committed to building the confidence of oncology financial advocates, connecting them with much-needed solutions to improve the patient experience. Through the Financial Advocacy Network’s tools and resources, ACCC empowers cancer programs and practices to proactively integrate financial health into the oncology care continuum and help patients gain access to high-quality care for a better quality of life.

For more information on this project, please contact the ACCC Provider Education department.

Featured Programs

These guidelines were created using a collaborative, consensus-based process to promote and guide the implementation of critical financial advocacy services in cancer programs and practices across the nation.

Whether you are an experienced financial advocate or new to the field, the ACCC Financial Advocacy Boot Camp prepares you to help your patients and your program address the growing issue of financial toxicity.

Designed to equip financial advocates with the essential skills necessary to help patients alleviate financial challenges, this course will guide you through practical scenarios and case studies to enhance your understanding and ability to assist patients with various insurance coverage types.

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.

ACCC is developing an educational program that will foster discussions on how to ease provider burden and ensure the best quality care for the patient when dealing with the utilization management technique known as prior authorization.

Learn the fundamentals of biomarker and diagnostic testing as it relates to financial navigation. Gain confidence in your ability to guide patients through the complex insurance process, practice clear communication strategies, and access helpful financial resources.

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.

Access the most up-to-date anti-cancer medication assistance and reimbursement programs that are available to help alleviate the financial burden of cancer treatment. Search for applicable Oncology-Related Products and Companies and apply optional Coverage and Assistance Type filters to streamline your results.

The Financial Advocacy Network Community is a private forum for ACCC members to ask questions, share resources and experiences, and offer support for delivering financial advocacy services to your patients. You will need to login to your ACCC member account in order to access this benefit.

Featured Publications

Financial-Advocacy-Network-Resources-200x253 Financial Advocacy Network Resources
Download an overview of the workflow needed to create a new financial advocacy program or to assess an existing program. Use this tool to explore financial navigation resources to assess opportunities, build a business case/gain operational buy-in, and train staff. Download

Financial Advocacy Services Guidelines
Download

Financial-Advocacy-Network-2023-Census-Survey-Results-250x315 Financial Advocacy Network 2023 Census Survey
Access

Value of Financial Advocacy
Download

PAG-2021-200x269 Patient Assistance and Reimbursement Guide
Access

Improving-the-Prior-Authorization-Process-200x269 Improving the Prior Authorization Process
Download

Fighting Financial Toxicity
Download

FAN-2019-2020-Census-Survey-100x134 Financial Advocacy Network 2019-2020 Census Survey
Download

Making-Case-for-Hiring-Financial-Navigator-100x130 Making the Business Case for Hiring a Financial Navigator
Download

On-Demand Webinars

Supplying Security: How Food Pantries Empower Patients with Cancer
Explore the impact of food insecurity on patients with cancer in this 1-hour, on-demand webinar. Panelists offer tips to create a sustainable food pantry program within a cancer center, ensuring patients and caregivers can readily access nutritious meals. Walk away with strategies to engage community partnerships and volunteers.

Cultivating Care: Growing Sustainable Financial Advocacy Programs to Better Serve Patients

For people living with cancer, the financial challenges of treatment can create significant burdens across the continuum of care. In this webinar, Dr. Margaret Liang will explore some of the drivers and sources of financial toxicity for patients and shed light on the Association of Cancer Care Centers Financial Advocacy Services Guidelines, an evidence-based framework developed by experts and patient advocates to prevent, detect, and mitigate financial hardship during cancer care. Learn how the guidelines, which include an assessment tool that identifies program gaps and opportunities, offer cancer care centers a customizable pathway to expand their capacity to equitably serve patients with cancer.
Utilizing Biomarkers in Cancer Care: Who Has It, Who Needs It, and How To Access It

In this final webinar, hear from our experts Jordan Karwedsky, Financial Counselor, Green Bay Oncology, Wendi Waugh, BS, RT(R)(T), CMD, CRT, Administrative Director of SOMC Cancer Services & Ambulatory Infusion, Southern Ohio Medical Center, and Dr. Michael R. Gieske, Director of Lung Cancer Screening. Join us as we discuss prior authorization challenges in biomarker testing, importance of providing access to biomarker testing for underserved populations, how biomarkers are shaping the future of medicine, as well as what can be done at the policy level to allow for more access.
Putting "Necessity" in Medical Necessity: How To Ensure You Are Maximizing Reimbursement

In the fifth webinar, we will hear from Angie Santiago, CRCS, Manager of Oncology Financial Advocacy, Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center at the Thomas Jefferson University Health System, and Chair of ACCC’s Financial Advocacy Network, and Sarah Shaw, Oncology Program Manager at St. Luke’s Cancer Institute in Boise, ID. Join us as we discuss importance of medical necessity in oncology and how clear denial data can help maximize reimbursement.

More Financial Advocacy Webinars

Cancer Buzz Podcasts

Disparities in Accessing Care for AML Patients: Challenges and Solutions – [Mini Podcast] Ep 145 Mar 25, 2024

In this episode, CANCER BUZZ speaks with Linda Hayward, patient financial advocate at the University of Maryland, Kaufman Cancer Center at Upper Chesapeake Health, about the challenges of treatment and strategies to address disparities in access and care for patients with acute myeloid leukemia.
LIVE from AMCCBS: Financial Advocacy Resources — [MINI PODCAST] Mar 11, 2024

Live this week from the ACCC 50th Annual Meeting and Cancer Center Business Summit (AMCCBS), CANCER BUZZ interviews Wendi Waugh, ACCC financial navigation committee member, about resources for financial advocacy.
NOC Preview: Financial Advocacy Guidelines to Mitigate Financial Toxicity - [MINI PODCAST] Oct 10, 2023

Hear Dr. Margaret Liang, of Cedars-Sinai Cancer Center, Los Angeles, talk about ACCC’s Financial Advocacy Network (FAN) and the Financial Advocacy Services guidelines to help cancer programs address the growing issue of financial toxicity.

More Financial Advocacy Podcasts

From Oncology Issues

Issues
Nicole Tapay, JD

Tapay discusses recent trends, federal regulatory actions, and federal legislation regarding prior authorization in this Issues column.
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.
Compliance: 2022 Hospital Regulatory Update
Teri Bedard, BA, RT(R)(T), CPC

The Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System (HOPPS) for calendar year 2022.

More Financial Advocacy Journal Articles

From the ACCCBuzz Blog

National Minority Health Month: Addressing Racial Disparities in Oncology
April 03, 2025
Despite advances in cancer treatment and early detection, significant disparities in cancer care persist across racial and ethnic lines in the United States. At ACCC, we recognize that achieving health equity in oncology requires intentional, sustained, and systemic efforts.
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.
Advocating for a Better Future: The Role of a Unique Network
April 15, 2024
Jordan Karwedsky, financial counselor at Green Bay Oncology and chairperson of the ACCC Financial Advocacy Network, discusses her plans for the network's future.