Helping Patients Face Cancer

Anxiety, fear, and confusion are natural reactions when a patient is diagnosed with cancer. Cancer patients face many decisions after the initial diagnosis is made. Knowing what to expect, both physically and emotionally, during the course of treatment supports both the cancer patient and their caregivers during a difficult time. Your patients now have a valuable, new resource - Matria Healthcare's Oncology Program. 

Matria Nurses - Supporting Patients 

Matria Care Managers understand the importance of supporting your patient relationships and how that contributes to positive outcomes. They will reassure patients that are seeking validation and reinforce patient empowerment with education and caring. 

Matria Care Managers are available to:

• Support patients and families by educating them on their disease and treatment processes
• Provide a bridge between health care appointments by monitoring patients' response to and compliance with treatment plans
• Teach patients how to manage their symptoms and prevent complications
• Maintain regular contact with patients for early identification of care needs
• Create positive outcomes and rapid resolution to complications of cancer and its treatment through early identification of problems and prompt resolution
• Support you and your patients by coordinating care across all settings and providers

Matria Nurses - Supporting Physicians

Matria Care Managers reinforce your treatment plan. Many cancer patients are not prepared to accept and comprehend all of the information that you initially provide. The Matria Care Managers reinforce essential patient education topics. They will also communicate regularly with your office regarding our care management involvement with specific patients. Our Care Managers will help you facilitate key actions:

• Reinforce your plan of cancer care, including medication compliance; and symptom management
• Support for your patients, who may be unable to seek assistance independently
• Improve the cancer experience by providing education and psychosocial support to your patients and their families
• Monitor patient care needs in between office visits
• Communicate patient concerns with identified needs back to their physician

We're Here to Help You

Please contact your Provider Relations Representative if you have any questions, comments, or feedback about our disease management program.

Providers' Rights:

• You have the right to speak with a Matria Medical Director and/or a patient's Care Manager.
• You have the right to review Matria's peer-reviewed clinical treatment guidelines by cancer diagnosis and stage.
• You have the right to discuss the Matria Program with the health plan, or the peer-reviewed, evidence-based documentation to support the proposed treatment plan.
• You have the right to request a Matria provider orientation meeting, and, when Matria is conducting utilization management, you may request a non-urgent cancer-related prior authorization from Matria via a toll-free prior authorization facsimile, or an urgent cancer-related prior authorization from Matria via a toll-free telephone number.
• Through the health plan, you have the right to grieve any recommendation for denial made by Matria as noted in the written documentation of the decision.

Why are Payers Working with Matria?

Health plans and employers seek our assistance to ensure that their members who have cancer receive the right services at the right times. Matria offers oncology expertise that provides evidence-based standards of care outlined in treatment guidelines that have been developed and reviewed by both local and national oncology specialists from all care settings and oncology specialties. Matria's treatment guidelines are reviewed by our Guideline Committee monthly. These guidelines are available to you and your office for your review and input. Your comments and feedback are welcomed and will be considered.

Matria does not steer referrals to preferred providers, although whenever possible we do recommend that patients receive care from a network provider so they receive the highest level of benefits available. When Matria has been delegated utilization management, decision making is based on appropriateness of care and service, and existence of coverage. Matria does not reward individuals conducting utilization review for recommending denials of coverage or services. Matria does not accept or receive incentives for authorizing care, and there are no financial incentives associated with the utilization process.

At Matria we recognize the importance of clinical research and strongly support clinical trials. Our Care Managers are knowledgeable on both the clinical aspects and patient education requirements needed to support patients involved in clinical trials.