Cancer treatment costs can be overwhelming, especially for underserved communities facing financial strain. Often referred to as financial toxicity - rising healthcare costs, high-deductible insurance plans, and growing out-of-pocket expenses – many patients find themselves delaying or forgoing treatment. To address these challenges, the University of Miami Health System’s Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center (SCCC) partnered with Atlas Health to implement an AI-driven patient assistance platform and dedicated patient advocacy team to connect and enroll patients into financial aid programs, including not-for-profit foundations and drug copay resources, easing the burden of treatment costs while improving access to care.

Between May 2022 and December 2023, this initiative provided $2.86 million in financial aid to 1,080 patients, with an average award of $2,438 per patient. From January to September 2024, the program expanded to secure a total of $3.93 million in assistance for 2,008 patients, with a focus on supporting populations at higher risk of financial distress. Among those receiving aid, 39% identified as Hispanic or Latino, and 10% as Black or African American, with 95% living in counties with high Social Vulnerability Index (SVI)scores.

By leveraging the Atlas Health platform integrated with SCCC’s EHR data, the AI-powered predictive matching technology was able to identify patients eligible for financial assistance in real-time. This proactive model not only accelerated access to treatments but also alleviated administrative demands for healthcare teams at SCCC.  

Abstract: Impact of a Proactive Patient Assistance Program for Diverse Ambulatory Oncology Patients: A Retrospective Cohort Study  

Cancer treatment costs can be overwhelming, especially for underserved communities facing financial strain. Often referred to as financial toxicity - rising healthcare costs, high-deductible insurance plans, and growing out-of-pocket expenses – many patients find themselves delaying or forgoing treatment. To address these challenges, the University of Miami Health System’s Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center (SCCC) partnered with Atlas Health to implement an AI-driven patient assistance platform and dedicated patient advocacy team to connect and enroll patients into financial aid programs, including not-for-profit foundations and drug copay resources, easing the burden of treatment costs while improving access to care.

Between May 2022 and December 2023, this initiative provided $2.86 million in financial aid to 1,080 patients, with an average award of $2,438 per patient. From January to September 2024, the program expanded to secure a total of $3.93 million in assistance for 2,008 patients, with a focus on supporting populations at higher risk of financial distress. Among those receiving aid, 39% identified as Hispanic or Latino, and 10% as Black or African American, with 95% living in counties with high Social Vulnerability Index (SVI)scores.

By leveraging the Atlas Health platform integrated with SCCC’s EHR data, the AI-powered predictive matching technology was able to identify patients eligible for financial assistance in real-time. This proactive model not only accelerated access to treatments but also alleviated administrative demands for healthcare teams at SCCC.  

Abstract: Impact of a Proactive Patient Assistance Program for Diverse Ambulatory Oncology Patients: A Retrospective Cohort Study  

Cancer treatment costs can be overwhelming, especially for underserved communities facing financial strain. Often referred to as financial toxicity - rising healthcare costs, high-deductible insurance plans, and growing out-of-pocket expenses – many patients find themselves delaying or forgoing treatment. To address these challenges, the University of Miami Health System’s Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center (SCCC) partnered with Atlas Health to implement an AI-driven patient assistance platform and dedicated patient advocacy team to connect and enroll patients into financial aid programs, including not-for-profit foundations and drug copay resources, easing the burden of treatment costs while improving access to care.

Between May 2022 and December 2023, this initiative provided $2.86 million in financial aid to 1,080 patients, with an average award of $2,438 per patient. From January to September 2024, the program expanded to secure a total of $3.93 million in assistance for 2,008 patients, with a focus on supporting populations at higher risk of financial distress. Among those receiving aid, 39% identified as Hispanic or Latino, and 10% as Black or African American, with 95% living in counties with high Social Vulnerability Index (SVI)scores.

By leveraging the Atlas Health platform integrated with SCCC’s EHR data, the AI-powered predictive matching technology was able to identify patients eligible for financial assistance in real-time. This proactive model not only accelerated access to treatments but also alleviated administrative demands for healthcare teams at SCCC.  

Abstract: Impact of a Proactive Patient Assistance Program for Diverse Ambulatory Oncology Patients: A Retrospective Cohort Study