HLTH 2023 Unveils Groundbreaking Cancer Initiatives and Oncology Sessions in Las Vegas
Key Figures from the White House Cancer Moonshot and Leading Medical Institutions Share Insight on Care Navigation, Employer Benefits as well as Health Disparities
HLTH 2023, the annual conference exploring innovation and transformation in healthcare, witnessed a range of pivotal announcements and insightful oncology sessions aimed at revolutionizing cancer care. Notably, esteemed figures including Anabella Aspiras from the White House Cancer Moonshot, Anaeze Offodile, Chief Strategy Officer from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, and Adam Pellegrini, Co-Founder and CEO of Jasper Health, emphasized the need for early cancer screening, improved navigation systems, and employer benefit strategies to address health disparities.
White House Cancer Moonshot: Navigation services improve health equity
As cancer continues to devastate lives worldwide, it has risen to become the top cost in employer health benefit plans. HLTH 2023 served as a platform for experts to provide updates and discuss groundbreaking initiatives.
“HLTH 2023 serves as a powerful opportunity to unite with innovative thinkers and continue our relentless pursuit of eliminating cancer,” said Anabella Aspiras, a key representative of the White House Cancer Moonshot initiative. “We are particularly excited about our work with CMS, The American Medical Association, the American Cancer Society, and so many others who have helped us increase adoption and payments for navigation services. This Administration has done tremendous work to advance navigation as a covered benefit for as many Americans facing cancer as possible.”
MSK Direct: Cancer support is a vital and cost-saving employee benefit
By offering robust benefits tailored to cancer care across clinical, financial and psychosocial support, employers can empower their employees facing a cancer diagnosis while reducing the overall cost of cancer care.
“Employers play a vital role in providing comprehensive cancer care. with top-tier treatment options, financial peace of mind, and empathetic support from treatment and survivorship through return to work, said Anaeze Offodile, Chief Strategy Officer with Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. “We really invest a lot of resources in psychosocial support, caregiver burden, and counseling.”
This approach enhances overall employee well-being while reducing costs.
“At MSK Direct, we offer recommender services where we architect the patient to the right site of care. In oncology, where you go first really matters. The diagnostic odyssey is well known in oncology and going to the right provider, or sub-specialist provider, the first time, really drives down utilization and since you get the right diagnosis the first time, there is a lot less inappropriate redundant care, and the outcomes are better.”
Jasper Health: Cancer care navigation and the patient journey
During HLTH 2023, the importance of cancer care navigation was continually emphasized as a crucial aspect of the patient journey. Jasper Health, an oncology care navigation platform, is a member of the White House Cancer Moonshot and powers cancer navigation for leading health systems, insurers and employers.
“Navigating the complex world of cancer care can be overwhelming for patients and their families. By implementing efficient navigation strategies, we can streamline access to care, educate patients about available resources, and empower them to make informed decisions about their treatment,” said Jasper’s CEO Adam Pellegrini. “A combination of best in class clinical direction, empathetic human-led coaching, connection to local resources, and psychosocial support all in a unified digital platform gives patients the best outcomes, from treatment and recovery, through return to work and beyond.”
HLTH 2023 provided a platform for leaders, VCs, researchers and healthcare professionals to collaborate, learn, and further their efforts across the entire spectrum of healthcare, including combating cancer, emphasizing the need of collective action, innovative approaches, and strategic partnerships to achieve significant progress in healthcare and navigation. The knowledge imparted and partnerships forged at HLTH 2023 will undoubtedly shape the trajectory of cancer care and significantly contribute to reducing the burden of this devastating disease.
