WASHINGTON – (Sept. 25, 2013) – The Cancer Support Community and a group of 18 partnering cancer and patient advocacy organizations launched today the Cancer Insurance Checklist, a new resource to help people with cancer, a history of cancer, or at risk for cancer choose insurance plans in the new state-based Health Insurance Marketplaces opening on October 1st.
The Cancer Insurance Checklist guides consumers to review the coverage within each insurance plan they are considering, including coverage for services provided by their health care team, where care is delivered, medications and various common cancer treatments and services they may need. The Checklist also provides a worksheet to help the consumer detail the costs associated with each plan. The Checklist is designed to be used while evaluating insurance plans and also when discussing them with a navigator or health care provider.
“When the Marketplaces open in October, we expect that hundreds of thousands of people touched by cancer will begin exploring their options for purchasing health insurance coverage,” said Kim Thiboldeaux, President and CEO of the Cancer Support Community. “It is important to ensure that people understand the coverage for cancer-related health services so that they can make educated decisions based on their health needs and their budgets.”
People with cancer concerns can download and print the Cancer Insurance Checklist free of charge by visiting CancerInsuranceChecklist.org. There, they will also find a comprehensive list of additional resources including a full glossary of terms relevant to insurance coverage decisions.
The Cancer Insurance Checklist was created through a partnership of the following organizations: The Assistance Fund, Association of Community Cancer Centers, Avalere Health, Cancer Support Community, Chronic Disease Fund, Cutaneous Lymphoma Foundation, International Myeloma Foundation, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Living Beyond Breast Cancer, Lung Cancer Alliance, Melanoma Research Foundation, Men’s Health Network, National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship, National Patient Advocate Foundation, Oncology Nursing Society, Ovarian Cancer National Alliance, Patient Advocate Foundation, Patient Services, Inc. and Prevent Cancer Foundation. Production costs for the Cancer Insurance Checklist were supported by a grant from Novartis Oncology.
“CSC is honored to work with such an esteemed group of our colleagues on this important project to deliver meaningful information to so many during this time of complex decision-making,” said Linda House, Executive Vice President, External Affairs for the Cancer Support Community. “In addition to the valuable resources offered by each organization, this combined effort ensures that we will reach even more people in need of support, education and tools to help navigate their cancer journey.”
About the Cancer Support Community
The mission of the Cancer Support Community (CSC) is to ensure that all people impacted by cancer are empowered by knowledge, strengthened by action, and sustained by community. In 2009, The Wellness Community and Gilda’s Club joined forces to become the Cancer Support Community. The combined organization, with more than 50 years of collective experience, provides the highest quality social and emotional support for people impacted by cancer through a network of over 50 licensed affiliates, more than 100 satellite locations and a vibrant online community, touching more than one million people each year.
Backed by evidence that the best cancer care includes social and emotional support, the Cancer Support Community offers these services free of charge to men, women and children with any type or stage of cancer and to their loved ones. As the largest, professionally led nonprofit network of cancer support worldwide, the Cancer Support Community delivers a comprehensive menu of personalized and essential services including support groups, educational workshops, exercise, art and nutrition classes and social activities for the entire family. In 2012, CSC delivered more than $40 million in free services to patients and families. The Cancer Support Community is advancing the innovations that are becoming the standard in complete cancer care. So that no one faces cancer alone.®
For more information, please visit www.cancersupportcommunity.org.