Late last month, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued an announcement that will have a significant impact on mesothelioma patients around the country. Under the Biden Administration’s Cancer Moonshot initiative, the two organizations are introducing a new model aimed at improving cancer care for Medicare patients and lowering overall costs.
Patient-Centric Model Offers Lowered Cancer Costs for Mesothelioma Patients
Malignant mesothelioma is an aggressive form of cancer that generally strikes its victims late in life. Many patients struggle to pay for the expensive specialized care, which is often only available in regional cancer centers and teaching hospitals. The Enhancing Oncology Model designed by the CMS Innovation Center will test how to improve health care providers’ ability to deliver care centered around patients, taking into account their unique needs in order to improve patient outcomes.
Included in the program’s targets are the types of inequities often faced by patients diagnosed with mesothelioma, who often face additional challenges based on their race, gender, region, and income. Speaking on behalf of the Biden Administration, HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra said, “We are delivering on President Biden’s call to action to mobilize every option to address cancer and creating a system of care that supports all patients and their families. We will continue to do all we can to make access to this care equitable and end cancer as we know it.”
Cancer Center Experience Leads to Better Mesothelioma Outcomes
There is significant evidence that patients who seek mesothelioma care at facilities that treat high numbers of cases have better outcomes than those treated at rural facilities without similar experience. The new program hopes to eliminate these disparities.
CMS Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure said, “The Enhancing Oncology Model will incentivize participating oncology practices – including those in rural and underserved areas – to improve the provision of high quality, coordinated care that addresses patients’ social needs and improves patient and caregiver support.”
Accessing mesothelioma care can be a challenge. For help accessing high quality care, contact the Patient Advocates at Mesothelioma.net today at 1-800-692-8608.
