Horizon Blue Cross Blue
Shield of New Jersey and Regional Cancer Care Associates (RCCA) launched a
nurse navigators pilot program to make sure cancer patients receive
comprehensive care after their treatment through an oncology medical home.
The program will allow
nurses to follow cancer patients after they leave the oncologist's office,
serve as a resource to address their needs and conditions, and help them access
community services. Nurse navigators will communicate with patients through
telephone, emails and texts.
"Instead of
reacting to adverse conditions that can arise between cancer treatments, such
as dangerously low hemoglobin counts that trigger ER visits and hospital
admissions, we're taking a proactive, coordinated approach to care," says
Allen Karp, senior vice president of healthcare management at Horizon.
Terrill Jordan, RCCA
president and CEO, adds that the program exemplifies RCCA's comprehensive
approach to caring for the patients. "By working more collaboratively with
Horizon, we are empowering our physicians and their clinical staff to follow
the progress of our patients beyond the four walls of our local clinics,"
he says.
Horizon and RCCA
estimate that about 2,000 Horizon patients will join the program, which is
planned to run for three years.
To evaluate the
success of the program, Horizon has developed metrics by which it will measure
whether it improves quality and outcomes, provides a better patient experience
and lowers costs. If the program is successful, Horizon plans to expand it to
other oncology practices.
The program started in
November last year and has garnered positive reactions from patients, RCCA
leadership and physicians. "As we get feedback, we can definitely make
tweaks," Karp says. "Both companies have the ability...to modify it
as the pilot matures."
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