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Cancer, chronic conditions, and comorbidities often lead to polypharmacy. What is it, and what should oncology navigators know about helping their patients manage it?

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)CY24 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Proposed Rule is a rich service showing the hard-earned respect and gratitude that every navigator has earned in carrying forth a holistic approach to patient-centered care for decades.

Fox Chase Cancer Center (FCCC) in collaboration with AONN+ conducted a pilot study to evaluate patient efficacy, provider feedback, and implementation of CAPE Lung using an implementation science framework in diverse cancer settings.

What a year it has been since launching the “Oncology Navigation Standards of Professional Practice” published by the Professional Oncology Navigation Task Force (PONT) in March 2022. These standards were developed by PONT to provide clinical oncology nurse navigators, social work navigators, and patient navigators with clear information regarding best practices in professional care.

To set the stage: it had been a successful 7 months of figuring out my new role as an oncology patient financial advocate. Things were clicking, processes and workflows were making sense, and, most importantly, I was helping patients with cancer.

Treating cancer is not cheap, and navigating the complex world of health insurance and financial assistance can be incredibly daunting for patients facing cancer diagnoses. By assisting patients in optimizing their insurance coverage and finding external assistance programs, financial navigators can help to alleviate the financial burden of treatment; as a result, they have undoubtedly become a central component to the delivery of quality cancer care.

Specialty pharmacies and prior authorizations are unavoidable aspects of oncology care that often pose challenges for both patients and providers. However, standardization plays a crucial role in simplifying these complex processes, allowing for improved efficiency and optimal patient care, according to Jason Zimmerman, RN, OCN.

AONN+ members announced the relaunch of the completely revamped AONN+ website at the 2023 AONN+ Midyear Conference in Orlando. Features of the newly designed platform were discussed at a celebratory lunch session (complete with pink flamingo stilt walkers!), all designed with an emphasis on connecting, sharing knowledge, and staying updated within the oncology navigation community.