To help those at-risk or living
with cancer manage and treat their complex
condition, CIGNA HealthCare has announced
a new CIGNA HealthCare Oncology Condition
Management Program, which will provide
prevention, wellness and condition management
assistance for members. According to the
Institutes of Medicine (IOM), approximately
half of all men and one-third of women will
develop cancer in their lifetime. Advances
in detection and treatment have greatly improved
chances of recovery and survival, but even
after overcoming the illness, cancer survivors
must often manage potentially lifelong consequences
and risks associated with their illness.
"Cancer is a complex condition
that can significantly impact a member and
his or her family physically, emotionally
and financially," said Jeff Kang, MD,
chief medical officer, CIGNA HealthCare. "Our
goals are to both help prevent cancer and
help members living with cancer – no
matter what stage of recovery or treatment
they are in – to survive or improve
their quality of life while managing their
condition."
The new program, which will
be available for plans that take effect beginning
January 1, 2007, aims to support cancer victims
and survivors through prevention, diagnosis,
treatment and recovery. The program will
provide access to specialized nurses, health
educators and behavioral health experts equipped
to assist members and their families with
preventive care, understanding treatment
options, coordination of care and lifestyle
issues affected by their condition.
Members who are diagnosed with
cancer will be enrolled in CIGNA's specialty
case management program to work with a nurse
case manager, who can help explain treatment
options recommended by providers and coordinate
care among different providers. Members will
undergo a comprehensive screening to develop
a personalized plan, and they will have access
to web-based tools to help them effectively
manage their care.
The costs of cancer care are
significant. According to the National Cancer
Institute, direct medical costs for cancer
care in 2004 totaled more than $72 billion.
When considering the impact of indirect costs,
such as lost productivity due to illness
or premature death, the total economic burden
reached $190 billion in 2004.
The CIGNA HealthCare Oncology
Condition Management Program will offer members
support to help diagnose potential cancerous
conditions early and prevent the development
of the disease. CIGNA HealthCare nurses and
health educators will actively remind at-risk
members overdue for recommended screenings
to schedule appropriate tests. They will
also provide counsel and support to help
at-risk members adopt healthier lifestyles.
According to the Centers for
Disease Control (CDC), the number of new
cancer cases can be reduced and many cancer
deaths prevented by adopting healthier lifestyles
and by making cancer screening, information
and referral services available and accessible.
For example, periodic screening tests for
breast, cervical and colorectal cancers can
reduce the number of deaths from these diseases
by finding them early, when they are most
treatable. In some cases, screening tests
can detect treatable precancerous conditions,
and therefore prevent the development of
cancer.
The program will also address
the needs of members who have recently completed
treatment or have ongoing maintenance treatment
and medication needs. Specialized health
educators will work with members to help
them learn more about medically indicated
health screenings, managing potential side
effects and needed lifestyle changes.
The nurse case managers will
assist members and their families in coping
with the emotional impact of their condition,
including helping them receive family counseling,
organizing and preparing for treatment and
end-of-life planning, as needed.
The CIGNA HealthCare Oncology
Condition Management Program will draw upon
data and resources available through CIGNA
HealthCare and CIGNA business units specializing
in behavioral health, pharmacy management
and disability management. With the integration
of information from all these health-related
areas, CIGNA HealthCare clinicians will be
able to understand the full scope of a member's
condition and care to coordinate the appropriate
resources from many health disciplines for
the member.
