Florida Blue expands cancer support for Medicare Advantage members

As part of its ongoing commitment to members with cancer and their families, Florida Blue, the state’s leading health insurer, has launched a new care navigation program.

The program guides patients throughout the cancer journey, providing a better experience that connects them to the care and support they need. A pilot study showed a successful 40 percent reduction in hospital and ER visits for participating patients.

Florida Blue introduced this comprehensive solution for its Medicare Advantage members in collaboration with Evolent, an independent company focused on helping people with complex conditions get the care they need.

At no additional cost, patients get a dedicated care navigator and access to easy-touse digital tools, providing them with ongoing support and guidance between doctor’s visits. Early results show improved outcomes and lower healthcare costs, with a high patient and caregivers satisfaction score of 95 percent.

Care navigation can help patients manage the often overwhelming realities that come with a cancer diagnosis, and it’s particularly valuable in older adults. Cancer rates increase with age, and many older Americans also face social isolation. According to 2022 U.S. Census data, 28 people of people 65 and older live alone and do not have children, making it more difficult to navigate cancer care without a builtin support system. In Florida, more than 1.1 million older adults were living alone as of 2023, according to the Florida Department of Health.

Florida Blue and Evolent have worked together since 2021 to improve cancer care for members. Adding care navigation builds on the collaboration by creating a more tailored, higher quality experience. Patients are paired with an Evolent care navigator for personalized guidance including help coordinating appointments, managing symptoms and side effects, planning for emergencies, and connecting to community resources such as support groups.

“We’re committed to supporting our members when they’re well and through challenging times,” said Dr. Thomas Graf, chief medical officer of Florida Blue Medicare. “This innovative approach helps members and their families better manage their cancer care, with greater confidence and clarity, so they can focus on their health, loved ones, and quality of life.”

The program also uses a digital platform called Careology to facilitate collaboration between members, caregivers, and clinicians. Through Careology, patients can track symptoms, set reminders for appointments and medications, share real-time updates with their care team, and get advice outside of their office visits. By bridging the gap between clinic and home, this platform ensures members receive timely, personalized support and care, even when they’re not in a clinical setting. This continuous connection helps navigators identify problems earlier and ensures members receive the care they need, when they need it.

“By giving clinicians real-time insights into a patient’s experience, we can help them make better decisions and provide more effective care,” said Dr. Von Nguyen, Evolent’s chief medical officer. “This improves patient outcomes and enhances the overall care experience for patients and their families.”

For more information about Florida Blue’s care programs, visit the care programs webpage for Medicare members.

For more information, visit online at FloridaBlue.com/Medicare.