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. 2023 May;19(5):e696-e705.
doi: 10.1200/OP.22.00665. Epub 2023 Mar 8.

Coverage and Cost-of-Care Links: Addressing Financial Toxicity Among Patients With Hematologic Cancer and Their Caregivers

Jean S Edward  1 , Laurie E McLouth  2 , Mary Kay Rayens  1 , Lori P Eisele  3 , Tani S Davis  4 , Gerhard Hildebrandt  5
Affiliations

Coverage and Cost-of-Care Links: Addressing Financial Toxicity Among Patients With Hematologic Cancer and Their Caregivers

Jean S Edward et al. JCO Oncol Pract. 2023 May.

Abstract

Purpose: This study examined the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effectiveness of an oncology financial navigation (OFN) intervention, Coverage and Cost-of-Care Links (CC Links), among patients with hematologic cancer and their caregivers who are at increased risk of experiencing financial toxicity (FT).

Methods: All patients who presented to the Division of Hematology and Bone and Marrow Transplant (BMT) at an National Cancer Institute-designated cancer center between April 2021 and January 2022 were screened for FT during inpatient and outpatient visits. Patients who screened positive for FT and met the inclusion criteria were recruited to participate in CC Links that provided financial navigation and assistance via a financial navigator. Caregivers of patients undergoing BMTs were also recruited to participate. Primary outcomes were defined as improvements in FT, distress, and physical and mental quality of life.

Results: Fifty-four patients and 32 caregivers completed the intervention and pre-/postintervention surveys. CC Links resulted in statistically significant decreases in the Comprehensive Score for FT for both patients (|t| = 2.42, P = .019) and caregivers (|t| = 2.43, P = .021) and total FT (|t| = 2.13, P = .041) and material conditions scores (|t| = 2.25, P = .031) for caregivers only. Only 27% of eligible patients participated in the study, whereas 100% of eligible caregivers participated. The majority of participants rated the intervention highly for acceptability (89%) and appropriateness (88%). An average of $2,500 (USD) in financial benefits was secured per participant via CC Links.

Conclusion: CC Links was effective in decreasing FT among patients with hematologic cancer and their caregivers while demonstrating high acceptability and appropriateness ratings.

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Conflict of interest statement

The following represents disclosure information provided by authors of this manuscript. All relationships are considered compensated unless otherwise noted. Relationships are self-held unless noted. I = Immediate Family Member, Inst = My Institution. Relationships may not relate to the subject matter of this manuscript. For more information about ASCO's conflict of interest policy, please refer to www.asco.org/rwc or ascopubs.org/op/authors/author-center.

Open Payments is a public database containing information reported by companies about payments made to US-licensed physicians (Open Payments).

Figures

FIG 1.
FIG 1.
Patient and caregiver participation in CC Links. BMT, bone and marrow transplant; CC links, coverage and cost-of-care links; COST, comprehensive score for financial toxicity; DT, distress thermometer; FT, financial hardship.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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