Attachment B - Patient Navigation and Case Management.docx

Massachusetts Breast and Cervical Cancer Program Attachment B: Patient Navigation and Case Management

Only organizations that can provide patient navigation services to patients and case management after an abnormal screening are eligible to apply to the Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening RFR.

A description of each of these services is available below.

Patient Navigation

Patient navigation is defined as individualized assistance provided to individuals to help overcome barriers and facilitate timely access to quality screening and diagnostic services, as well as initiation of timely treatment for those diagnosed with cancer. People often face significant barriers to accessing and completing cancer screening and diagnostic services. Patient navigation can help reduce disparities by helping women overcome those barriers, when needed.

Not all people will need patient navigation, but everyone should be assessed for barriers. At a minimum, a patient should have two encounters with a navigator due to the centrality of the patient-navigator relationship. Examples of patient navigated services include help with appointment scheduling, translation services, transportation or childcare assistance, patient education and support, and linking people to other community and social services.

Case Management

Case management is often part of our health care activities. Case management services are intended to ensure that patients with abnormal screening or diagnostic results receive timely and appropriate follow-up care. Patients referred to case management may need additional screening, diagnostic, or treatment services. Case management includes assessment, planning, patient education, facilitation, advocacy for options and services, and evaluation. These activities are undertaken in collaboration with patients, their medical providers, and designated case management staff.