Capital BlueCross Adds Special Oncology Program to Case Management Outreach

HARRISBURG, Pa., April 26 /PRNewswire/ -- Capital BlueCross recently launched an oncology case management program for members diagnosed with cancer.

The emphasis of this care program is to provide members with additional support during all phases of treatment.  Care managers help members and families work through difficult issues, such as treatment options, symptom management and life care planning.  

The oncology case management program is one of several specialty case management programs offered by Capital BlueCross. Nurses with oncology expertise and certification work with a medical director board certified in Internal Medicine and Palliative Medicine. Together they provide a valuable and compassionate service to members in need of this support during this challenging time.  

"There is evidence that programs targeting cancer patients result in improved symptom

management, such as pain and shortness of breath.  Case managers are able to facilitate the communication between the patient and their doctor when symptoms arise thereby affording them earlier, effective treatment," said Dr. Jennifer Chambers, Medical Director for Capital BlueCross who specializes in Internal Medicine and is Board Certified in Palliative Medicine.  

"Over 20 percent of Capital BlueCross' members who currently use our case management services have a cancer diagnosis," said Jill McCabe, Case Management Team Lead.  "By building onto our current outcomes driven case management approach, we believe we are better able to meet the needs of this unique patient population."

Currently, members are identified for this voluntary program through hospital admissions associated with cancer diagnoses, referrals from their physicians, and member self-referral. Thus far, Capital BlueCross has received more than 200 referrals in the first three weeks of the program.  Members are also encouraged to ask questions and/or enroll by calling McCabe at

1-888-320-2583, Ext. 8611.

Capital BlueCross is the leading health insurer in its region, providing health insurance coverage to nearly one million people in central Pennsylvania and the Lehigh Valley.  Capital BlueCross is committed to making health insurance simple for its customers and members through all the stages of life by offering nationally acclaimed customer service and a full range of innovative benefit programs for group and individual customers at competitive prices.

The company has been providing health security to the people and communities of central Pennsylvania and the Lehigh Valley for more than 70 years and employs about 2,000 people in the region.

Capital BlueCross is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.

More information about Capital BlueCross and its subsidiaries can be found by going to www.capbluecross.com.

SOURCE Capital BlueCross