Cancer care, all in one place: Quantum Health offers new oncology benefit

With cancer cases on the rise, and their associated costs now the top driver of healthcare spend for employers, finding affordable and accessible care options has become a top priority. It's not just an act of kindness, but a wise business decision, too. 

Healthcare navigation and care coordination platform Quantum Health is supporting their three million members with their new Premier Oncology solution. The platform allows members to access all of their employer healthcare offerings in one place, easing the patient experience and potentially lowering costs associated with unnecessary benefit utilization. 

"When you think about your typical oncology journey, you're going to tap into 20 or 30 different benefits," says Dan Shur, Quantum Health's chief product officer. "Other solutions manage pieces of the journey; we can use our expertise to help people knit this all together in a curated pathway and make things work behind the scenes." 

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The American Cancer Institute estimates that approximately two million people will be diagnosed with cancer in the U.S. this year alone. For employees, the physical, emotional and financial burden that accompanies cancer can dramatically affect their quality of life, including the ability to function at work. Patients should only need to focus on getting better, rather than navigating a web of providers and payments, Shur says.

"We understand the power of peace of mind, and it gives us inspiration to say to a member, 'You're dealing with something very complex,'" he says. "[They can] focus on their health, family and mental health needs, while we take care of the administrative pieces."     

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Quantum Health's broad spectrum of solutions includes a specially-trained team that closely monitors all health information that comes through the platform. All medical professionals on a member's care team can communicate as necessary for an improved outcome. 

While beneficial for those working through a cancer diagnosis now, Quantum's platform also promotes early detection, and can take a proactive approach even before a diagnosis is confirmed. A care team is composed of an individual oncology nurse who becomes their "quarterback" for as long as they are in need of treatment, Shur says. Patients will work with their nurse one-on-one, and family members can ask questions, too.  

"You get a team that is your constant as you go through this journey," says Shur. "The navigation is like an invisible hand that's making sure all parts have necessary information, all authorizations are in place and all referrals have been made."

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To alleviate financial strain, Quantum partnered with Carrum Health's Centers of Excellence to offer all-inclusive "care bundles," covering facility charges, physician fees and the cost of drugs. Combining all of these elements allows patients and their caregivers to feel confident that all of their questions, concerns and areas of care are covered quickly and efficiently. 

For employers, it offers an ROI that doesn't come at the expense of the patient experience or the clinical outcome, says Shur.

"The things that are always present with someone going through a cancer journey are fear and uncertainty, and to have a team that you're familiar with is incredibly powerful," says Shur.