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Access to Health Care

ACS CAN advocates for policies that provide access to treatments and services people with cancer need for their care - including those who may be newly diagnosed, in active treatment and cancer survivors.

Access to Health Care Resources:

ACS CAN Comments on Medicare Part B proposed rule

May 9, 2016

ACS CAN filed extensive comments expressing deep concern with the proposed Medicare Part B Drug Payment Model and noting that in its proposed form the Part B Drug Model Model failed to protect cancer patients' access to life-saving medications.

Cancer Drug Coverage in Health Insurance Marketplace Plans (2014)

March 1, 2014

This analysis examines two issues of particular interest to the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) and its members: the extent of coverage and cost-sharing for cancer drugs, and whether information on the coverage of cancer drugs can be readily obtained, compared, and understood by patients.

Lifeline: Why cancer patients depend on Medicare for critical coverage

January 1, 2013

This analysis examines two issues of particular interest to the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) and its members: the extent of coverage and cost-sharing for cancer drugs, and whether information on the coverage of cancer drugs can be readily obtained, compared, and understood by patients.

Spending to Survive: Cancer Patients Confront Holes in the Health Insurance System

January 30, 2009

This report highlights the severe challenges cancer patient may face in paying for life-saving care even when they have private health insurance.

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Private Health Insurance Resources:

ACS CAN Comments on Association Health Plan proposed rule

February 21, 2024

More than 2 million Americans will be diagnosed with cancer this year and more than 18 million Americans living today have a history of cancer. Having comprehensive and affordable health insurance coverage is a key determinant for surviving cancer.

ACS CAN Comments on 2025 Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters Rule

January 9, 2024

More than 1.9 million Americans will be diagnosed with cancer this year and more than 18 million Americans living today have a history of cancer.[1] For these individuals finding the right doctor is one of the most important factors in t

ACS CAN comments on Right of Conscience Proposed Rule

June 21, 2023

Every person regardless of their race, color, national origin, gender identiy, sexual orientation, age or disability deserves to be given equal access to timely, quality, comprehensive health care without discrimination.

Post Braidwood Coverage of USPSTF Recommendations

April 25, 2023

On Thursday, March 30, 2023, Judge O’Connor released a final opinion on remedies in Braidwood Management vs.

Survivor Views: Open Enrollment

February 16, 2023

Cancer patients and survivors must balance reducing their health care costs with ensuring they have comprehensive coverage of services, treatments, and care providers.

ACS CAN Comments re: Virginia 1332 Reinsurance Waiver

February 25, 2022

ACS CAN Comments re: 2023 Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters

January 27, 2022

ACS CAN submitted comments regarding marketplace insurance plans and requirements for plan year 2023. 

ACS CAN comments re: Agent and Broker Disclosures

October 14, 2021

High Deductible Health Plans, Health Savings Accounts and Cancer Patients

November 10, 2020

High deductible health plans (HDHPs) and health savings accounts (HSAs) are becoming more common in employer-sponsored insurance and the individual and small group markets.  These types of plans have risks and features must be implemented carefully so they do not harm cancer patients, survivors or those at risk for cancer.

Medicare Resources:

The Medicare Appeals Process: Reforms Needed to Ensure Beneficiary Access

November 17, 2020

The incidence of cancer increases with age and thus the Medicare program is vitally important to millions of Americans who are undergoing active cancer treatment, are cancer survivors or who have not yet developed cancer.

ACS CAN Comments on CMS Proposed Radiation Oncology Demonstration Project

September 16, 2019

ACS CAN Comments to Seema Verma, Administrator, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services

ACS CAN Comments on Medicare Part C and D Rule

January 25, 2019

ACS CAN submitted comments on the Medicare Part C and D Rule.

ACS CAN Comments on Medicare IPI Model

December 21, 2018

Approximately 1.7 million new cancer cases are expected to be diagnosed in 2018. Age is one of the most important risk factors for cancer, with one half of cancer cases occurring in people over the age of 65.

ACS CAN Comments on Medicare Part B proposed rule

May 9, 2016

ACS CAN filed extensive comments expressing deep concern with the proposed Medicare Part B Drug Payment Model and noting that in its proposed form the Part B Drug Model Model failed to protect cancer patients' access to life-saving medications.

Lifeline: Why cancer patients depend on Medicare for critical coverage

January 1, 2013

This analysis examines two issues of particular interest to the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) and its members: the extent of coverage and cost-sharing for cancer drugs, and whether information on the coverage of cancer drugs can be readily obtained, compared, and understood by patients.

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Costs and Barriers to Care Resources:

Dependent Insurance Coverage is Critical for Young Adult Cancer Patients & Survivors

January 10, 2017

The health care law has several provisions that help prevent individuals from experiencing gaps in health insurance coverage, including the requirement that private health insurance plans allow dependents to remain on their parents’ insurance until age 26.  This provision is important for keeping survivors of childhood and young adult cancer insured, and helps to ensure young adults receive preventive services and screenings.  This provision is a crucial patient protection that must be a part of a health care system that works for cancer patients and survivors.

Cancer Patients Need Access to Comprehensive Health Insurance

January 10, 2017

Consumers need access to health insurance policies that cover a full range of evidence-based health care services – including prevention and primary care – necessary to maintain health, avoid disease, overcome acute illness and live with chronic disease.  Any health care system that works for cancer patients must have standards ensuring that enrollees have access to comprehensive health insurance.

Bans on Lifetime and Annual Cost Caps Protect Cancer Patients

January 9, 2017

Current federal requirements prohibit most insurance plans from limiting both the lifetime and annual dollar value of benefits.  This ban is one of several important patient protections that must be part of any health care system that works for cancer patients.

 

 

ACS CAN comments on 2015 Edition EHR Standards and Certification Criteria Proposed Rule

August 10, 2016

ACS CAN comments on 2015 Edition EHR Standards and Certification Criteria Proposed Rule

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Medicaid Resources:

ACS CAN Comments re: TN 1115 Medicaid Waiver

September 9, 2021

ACS CAN submitted comments opposing Tennessee's proposal to fund its Medicaid program through a block grant and implement a closed formulary.

ACS CAN Comments to CMS re: OK 1115 Waiver

April 20, 2021

ACS CAN comments supporting Medicaid expansion in Oklahoma, but opposing their proposal to rescind retroactive eligibility

Medicaid Section 1115 Research and Demonstration Waivers

January 10, 2020

An increasing number of states are seeking greater flexibility in administering their Medicaid programs. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) give states the opportunity to test innovative or alternative approaches to providing health care coverage to their Medicaid populations through Section 1115 Research and Demonstration Waivers (otherwise known as "1115 waivers"). States must demonstrate that their waivers promote the objectives of the Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Programs (CHIP) and CMS must use general criteria to determine whether the objectives of the Medicaid/CHIP programs are met.

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