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Dr Alan Balch Shares How PAF Helps Shoulder the Burden of Their Disease
The Patient Advocate Program (PAF) serves patients with chronic, life threatening or debilitating diseases by providing direct financial support as well as case management support. Alan Balch, PhD, chief executive officer, PAF, explained that PAF guides their members through insurance systems when issues of access or affordability arise for the individual.
The Patient Advocate Program (PAF) serves patients with chronic, life threatening or debilitating diseases by providing direct financial support as well as case management support. Alan Balch, PhD, chief executive officer, PAF, explained that PAF guides their members through insurance systems when issues of access or affordability arise for the individual.
“We average on behalf of the patient about 20 contacts per case with or on behalf of the patient so it’s a very intense engagement with the patient,” Dr. Balch said. “We work directly with them in the process; we don’t give them a list of resources and say ‘Go help yourself.’ We actually get on the phone with the insurance company and try to advocate on their behalf to navigate through prioritization issues or coverage denial issues.”
Dr. Balch said that PAF concentrates a majority of their work on cancer patients, as there is an acute need for insurance access and financial support; however, PAF provides guidance and support to 300 different disease areas.
Exploring Racial, Ethnic Disparities in Cancer Care Prior Authorization Decisions
October 24th 2024On this episode of Managed Care Cast, we're talking with the author of a study published in the October 2024 issue of The American Journal of Managed Care® that explored prior authorization decisions in cancer care by race and ethnicity for commercially insured patients.
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Community Investment, Engagement Are Essential to Fully Address Cardiovascular Health Disparities
November 19th 2024Community-based researchers can teach clinicians a lot about how to best approach underserved populations disproportionately impacted by cardiovascular health complications.
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Examining Low-Value Cancer Care Trends Amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic
April 25th 2024On this episode of Managed Care Cast, we're talking with the authors of a study published in the April 2024 issue of The American Journal of Managed Care® about their findings on the rates of low-value cancer care services throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
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