Cancer care has long been a major expense for employers, but recent data shows it is becoming the top cost driver for many organizations. Karen van Caulil, PhD, president and CEO of the Florida Alliance for Healthcare Value, addressed this issue during the Community Oncology Alliance Payer Exchange & Innovation Summit in Orlando on September 15.
Employers look beyond cost to support staff
Van Caulil noted that employers care deeply about their workforce beyond the balance sheet. They focus on the patient experience, the quality of care, and timely access to treatment. Better outcomes often mean workers can return to their jobs sooner, which benefits both the employee and the employer. Employers must stay informed about emerging therapies to ensure their plan members receive the best possible standard of care.
However, the cost of cancer has been rising for decades. Van Caulil mentioned that when she joined the organization 15 years ago, cancer was already the top cost driver. Today, she sees more diagnoses occurring at younger ages and in later stages, meaning a larger portion of the workforce is affected. Despite these financial pressures, the priority remains on supporting the health and return-to-work goals of employees.
To address these challenges, employers are looking at innovative solutions that improve access to screening, prevention, and treatment. One focus area is advanced primary care. This model offers longer appointment times, allowing providers to build trust with patients. It also integrates mental health services and social workers, which can help work through the complex cancer journey.
Health equity is another critical factor. Van Caulil cited a quote from the summit: “Innovation isn’t innovation at all unless all patients can have access to it.” Currently, access often depends on personal connections or “backdoor” methods. Employers are urged to analyze their data by demographics to identify disparities in screening rates and care access. Barriers may include geographic location, culture, or language.
Advanced primary care models also address these gaps by providing full support. They help ensure that patients receive timely screenings for conditions like colon cancer and HPV. By catching these issues early, employers can reduce the severity of future cases and lower long-term costs.
Read Also: Alcohol Abuse Tops Trauma-Related Heart Risk
Another area of focus is return-to-work support. Van Caulil emphasized that many patients want and need to work during their treatment. Employers can help by offering accommodations such as on-site labs, hydration stations, or remote work options. After treatment, ongoing surveillance is essential to prevent recurrence, and community oncologists play a key role in these follow-up visits.
Strategies for Supporting Employees Through Treatment and Return to Work
Employers can make accommodations such as on-site labs or hydration stations. They can also allow remote work for part of the time. After treatment ends, ongoing surveillance is essential to prevent recurrence.
Streamlining care through technology
Technology offers tools to reduce administrative burdens. Artificial intelligence can handle tasks like prior authorizations. These duties often consume a lot of staff time. Providers could then focus more on patient care. Van Caulil believes this streamlining would benefit families. It would allow doctors to spend more time with patients.
Customized strategies are essential for success. No single plan works for every employer. Workforces vary in size and location. Some employees work in one city. Others are spread across states or nations. Employers must recognize these differences. A one-size-fits-all approach creates problems.
Collaboration improves patient outcomes
Building strong partnerships is key. Coalitions can connect employers with key partners. These partners include health plans, pharmacy benefit managers, and health systems. By working together, these groups can create specific solutions. They can meet the unique needs of local patients. This collaborative effort supports long-term survivorship.
