Matria Oncology Program Care Managers: The Heart of the Process

Each patient is assigned a Care Manager who can be contacted 24 hours a day, seven days a week, via a toll-free number. Responsible for coordinating the patient's ongoing care, our Care Managers are nurses, specializing in oncology, with an average of ten years of experience. They work collaboratively to:

• Identify the most comfortable and cost-effective setting for all treatments and procedures, with no negative impact on efficacy.
• Help patients understand their health plan's benefits.
• Provide emotional support.
• Recommend covered services, such as home health care, when appropriate.
• Recommend local tumor-specific patient support groups. 
• Educate regarding diagnosis and symptom management.

We believe that educated and empowered patients improve their care and outcomes. To help them do so, our Care Managers discuss treatment options with patients and their families, answer questions and provide appropriate educational materials.

One such resource available to all patients who have access to the internet and their loved ones is www.cancerpage.com. A free service of the Matria Healthcare Oncology Program, cancerpage.com offers easy to understand, medically sound educational materials about the many types of cancer, treatment options, and side-effects management. 

In addition, throughout the course of treatment, Matria Care Management remains in periodic contact with patients and their families to:

• Check progress of the case.
• Update the patient's electronic case file.
• Ensure that patients and providers are adhering to the treatment plan.
• Monitor treatment compliance with the Matria Oncology Clinical Treatment Guidelines.
• Facilitate communication with physicians.

To improve communication and patient oversight, our Care Managers report to the patient's primary care physician as appropriate based on the patient's clinical situation.