Thanks to a generous grant from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), MOQC recently partnered with financial navigation expert Dan Sherman of the NaVectis Group to deliver intensive, full-day virtual training sessions aimed at improving financial navigation in oncology practices.
Over three separate sessions held in March, April, and May, 36 members from diverse MOQC practices engaged in hands-on learning designed to directly impact how they support patients facing the financial burdens of cancer care.
Each training cohort was carefully composed of 12 participants, with some attendees bringing limited or no prior experience in financial navigation. Despite that, their enthusiasm was unmistakable. As one participant said, “Holy cow, I learned so much and am so grateful for this class. I feel I have lots to review with patients to make sure they are getting the benefits they are entitled to.”
The sessions, led by Dan Sherman who has over 15 years of expertise, focused on guiding oncology patients through the complex financial maze of cancer care. He took a deep dive into critical areas, including Medicare, Medicaid, and Marketplace coverage options. Trainees learned how to reduce patient costs by tapping into insurance optimization opportunities and developing a systematic process to access and utilize external assistance programs, such as co-pay assistance and pharmaceutical patient assistance programs.
The training was shaped in large part by pre-session focus groups conducted with several MOQC practices. These focus groups helped tailor the curriculum to the real-world needs and challenges teams face. This collaborative approach led to learning sessions that resonated deeply with participants.
“I will be changing my free drug strategy and utilizing more foundations, as well as enrolling more people on Marketplace or Medicaid that I didn’t think would’ve qualified before,” one trainee shared.
Another remarked, “One key takeaway is the importance of understanding special enrollment periods tied to safety net programs, like Medicaid, Low Income Subsidy, and the 5-star plan rule. In the next six months, I’d like to implement this by proactively identifying patients who qualify for these programs and educating them on their year-round enrollment rights.”
Demand for the training far exceeded expectations, with approximately 70 applications received for just 36 available slots. This overwhelming response underscored the urgent need for structured financial navigation support in Michigan oncology practices. Thanks to the MDHHS grant, practices did not pay to participate, removing a key barrier to access.
In the coming weeks, MOQC will develop a set of materials to complement the training and extend its impact. These will include:
- A visual summary outlining the key gaps, challenges, and opportunities
- A one-sheet resource for patients and caregivers
- A short video aimed at either patients/caregivers or financial navigators, depending on the final content
A follow-up meeting is scheduled for September to bring all three cohorts together virtually. This final gathering will offer a space to reflect on the experience, share implementation successes and challenges, and identify any persistent gaps in knowledge or tools.
For many, the impact of this experience is already tangible. One participant shared, “I will be doing some more research and asking the person that handles our copay assistance program how we align with this information.” Another reflected, “I will be talking to our administration about how this information benefits both the patient and hospital. I will request further education for employees.”
Our trainer, Dan Sherman, reflected, “A big thank you to MOQC and MDHHS for allowing me the privilege of being involved with this project. I trust that many of my fellow Michiganders who have been diagnosed with cancer will now experience less financial distress. It was great to see the full engagement of all the participants in the training. Evidently, they care deeply about their patients and were highly vested in increasing their skill level in addressing the financial distress that so many cancer patients experience. I look forward to hearing from the participants in September regarding how the training has impacted their patients and practice.”
As financial strain continues to pose serious challenges for cancer patients across Michigan, this training marks a crucial step forward in building a more equitable, informed, and supportive care environment.