ACCC Releases 2016 Patient Assistance and Reimbursement Guide

ROCKVILLE, Md. – The Association of Community Cancer Centers (ACCC) announces the release of the ACCC 2016 Patient Assistance and Reimbursement Guide. The user-friendly guide is designed to help cancer program staff quickly identify resources for patients who are struggling with the financial burdens that may come as an unwanted side effect of cancer.

According to ACCC’s 2015 survey of member cancer programs, 54 percent of respondents report seeing an increase in the number of underinsured patients in the past year, and 21 percent report an increase in the number of uninsured. Survey respondents say they are seeing increasing numbers of patients who need help with prescription drug expenses, co-pays, and co-insurance. In response, the overwhelming majority of survey respondents report having a financial advocate on staff to assist patients and their families with these issues. While resources exist to help, navigating the requirements, restrictions, and application processes for patient assistance programs can be daunting—for providers and patients alike.

“The ACCC Patient Assistance and Reimbursement Guide is a ‘must-have’ tool for thousands of cancer care providers nationwide to streamline their efforts to help patients and their families with these complex issues and, hopefully, lessen patient financial distress,” said ACCC President Steven L. D’Amato, BSPharm, BCOP.

The ACCC 2016 Patient Assistance and Reimbursement Guide—now in its sixth year—is a robust tool with information on pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical patient assistance programs, as well as reimbursement resources, in an easy-to-use format.

The 2016 edition of the Patient Assistance and Reimbursement Guide includes:

• Q&A interview with Yousuf Zafar, MD, MHS, Duke Cancer Institute, and clinical financial consultant Dan Sherman, MA, LPC, The Lacks Cancer Center, on the critical need to improve approaches to addressing financial toxicity
• Tips for optimizing co-pay assistance programs
• A list of pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical patient assistance programs
• Patient assistance flow charts for specific patient populations (uninsured, Medicare, Medicaid, self-pay, etc.)
• A drug-specific quick reference guide to patient assistance programs

The ACCC 2016 Patient Assistance and Reimbursement Guide is available in print and as a PDF with links directly to the patient assistance program websites, the forms patients and providers need, and more.

ACCC offers an array of tools, resources, and training for cancer program financial advocates through the ACCC Financial Advocacy Network. Learn more here.