Sitting in a healthcare provider’s office and hearing a cancer diagnosis can be frightening, upsetting, and overwhelming. Even for someone who feels prepared to hear unwelcome news, this kind of serious diagnosis can be shocking and difficult to process.

Cancer is a complex health condition, and every person’s experience with it is different, which makes it even more difficult to navigate. The journey can often feel like it is too much, not just for the patient, but for their entire support network.

This is why Premera Blue Cross works to support our members with people, resources, and programs that can address the unique needs patients have following a cancer diagnosis, and provides help for members’ families, caregivers, and medical teams.

An advocate in your corner

One way that Premera provides personalized, one-on-one support to help members navigate complex medical conditions like cancer is through the Personal Health Support program.

Through this program, members can access a team of care managers including registered nurses, mental health professionals, dietitians, and other healthcare providers at no added cost to them.

This support team can help members and their families with:

• Coordinating treatments, including post-discharge care
• Overcoming barriers that keep members from getting care
• Connecting members to behavioral health care
• Providing community resources to address the member’s needs

Each care manager on the team is there to listen and support as the members’ single point of contact for all their healthcare needs. Members who would benefit from a care manager are proactively identified by Premera through claims data and can also be referred to the program by their healthcare provider.

And because we know that complex health problems do not operate on a set schedule, neither does the Personal Health Support program, which has extended hours including evenings, weekends, and 24/7 on-call access.

People who care, supported by the power of technology

Premera also offers members access to digital platforms that provide additional wraparound support for both clinical and non-clinical needs as they navigate their cancer care.

The Wellframe app connects members with their Premera care manager through a secure digital chat. It allows for easy two-way secure chat communication between care teams and members and delivers curated content with additional education and information for members. Wellframe also offers a 45-day support program for all cancer diagnoses, plus more specific modules for members living with breast, lung, and prostate cancer diagnoses.

Dedicated access to oncology support

To further support our members as they navigate a challenging diagnosis, Premera also offers customers access to a new Cancer Support program powered by the oncology navigation platform Thyme Care. This program offers additional around-the-clock access to an oncology-specific care team for cancer diagnoses.

Through the Cancer Support program powered by Thyme Care, members and their caregivers can receive tailored education and support on their cancer journey, from guidance that enables early detection and diagnosis, through treatment, and survivorship or end of life. This program works together with a member’s oncologist to help members and their families navigate care more effectively. It also offers guidance on how members can access other resources during their cancer treatment, including financial support, help with food and transportation costs, and connection with community groups.

These benefits vary by a member’s plan, but eligible members can participate in these programs at no cost to them. If you have a Premera Blue Cross health plan through your employer, please review your benefits booklet or check with your HR manager to determine if your plan includes these services. If you have an individual plan, contact customer service at the number on the back of your ID card to learn more.

A holistic approach to supporting members

Rachel Andrew, director of clinical programs at Premera Blue Cross, leads the team of care managers who work with members everyday as they navigate difficult diagnoses including cancer.

“A member’s healthcare team is at the center of their cancer journey, and there is so much more that goes into navigating a cancer diagnosis,” said Rachel. “At Premera, we are offering a holistic approach to supporting our members. We have people who care deeply about helping and robust programs, so our members and their caregivers have the assistance and support for they need on their cancer journey.”

“Our approach at Premera brings together tools, expertise, and resources to support our members’ whole health. We are here to help our members, every step of the way, so they can focus on what is most important – healing.”

For more information on cancer screenings and resources available to members diagnosed with cancer, visit the Cancer Care Essentials page.