A Cancer Diagnosis, Job Loss, and Financial Burden

At the time of their prostate cancer diagnosis, eighty percent of patients said that they needed more help than what they’d received from their doctor. Our new patient support program, ZERO360, aims to fill that need.

Launched in late 2016 in partnership with the Patient Advocate Foundation, ZERO360 is a comprehensive patient support program that provides free, confidential expertise to help guide patients through their cancer journeys. Each patient receives one-on-one support from a case manager dedicated to helping him navigate his journey.

Recently, our case managers assisted a 56-year-old Stage IV prostate cancer patient who’d lost his job shortly after diagnosis. After moving in with his daughter, he had unpaid bills, no income, and no savings.

That’s where ZERO360 came in. His dedicated case manager assisted him with applying for Social Security Disability Income (SSDI) and food stamps, and helped him sort out his Medicaid application so he could receive retroactive coverage for his unpaid medical bills. The work the case manager did on his behalf relieved the patient of worry about unpaid bills and helped him focus on his health.

After helping him with his health insurance and SSDI needs, the case manager turned her attention to his prescription and nutritional needs. When the patient was again hospitalized, the case manager provided continued support via conference calls to ensure that all paperwork was moving forward. At the end of his experience with ZERO360, the patient was enrolled in SSDI and Medicaid programs, had retroactive health coverage, had his 12 prescriptions covered, and his food stamps application filed.

On average, 69% of patients enrolled in ZERO360 need insurance and financial assistance. Most of these patients are over the age of 55, and about 45% of them have Stave IV disease. This vital assistance to men battling prostate cancer allows them to focus on their health and fighting their cancer.

For some, that means consistent access to prescribed treatments and therapies, help making treatment decisions, and a better understanding of their coverage options. For others, it’s help accessing financial resources to pay for treatment, and support for other needs patients encounter from diagnosis to survivorship. No matter where you are in your prostate cancer journey, ZERO360 can help you navigate it.

Visit our website to learn more.