Atrium Health Levin Cancer's Financial Toxicity Board Improves Patient Outcomes

Atrium Health Levine Cancer Institute developed a Financial Toxicity Tumor Board in 2019 to address the financial distress that cancer patients experience, which often impacts treatment outcomes and overall patient well-being. This board operates similarly to a traditional multidisciplinary tumor board but focuses specifically on financial challenges, bringing together clinical, supportive, and administrative stakeholders to mitigate financial burdens. The Financial Toxicity Tumor Board includes a referral system for patients, families, and healthcare providers, as well as a Patient Assistance Program that reviews treatment plans for eligibility for free medications and co-pay assistance, with support from pharmacy technicians.

Over five years, the board has facilitated patient access to grants from various nonprofits and foundations, aided in navigating and overturning denied health insurance claims, and successfully coordinated support for patients facing job loss and subsequent insurance challenges.

A notable feature of the board's approach is its ability to identify systemic financial challenges faced by groups of patients and proactively create workgroups to prevent crises before they arise. The study, published in the Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, concludes that such focused institutional interventions can significantly reduce out-of-pocket expenses and financial toxicity in cancer care. This model offers a scalable framework for cancer centers aiming to enhance financial navigation and support, which may improve treatment adherence and patient outcomes through reduced financial stress.