COLLABORATION
The State of Hawaiʻi Department of Human Services Med-QUEST
Division , a patient-centric Medicaid program , worked with the UH Cancer Center to ensure access to clinical trials for cancer patients in Hawaiʻi . Med-QUEST issued a memorandum “ to provide guidance regarding the coverage of routine costs associated with qualifying clinical trials ” for the prevention , diagnosis , treatment or supportive care of cancer .
“ Hawaiʻi was one of only a dozen states without legislation or a formal policy to provide coverage of routine care costs associated with cancer clinical trial participation for Medicaid beneficiaries , who make up about one quarter of the state ’ s population and over 40 percent of all of the children . The guidance clarified that Medicaid patients can participate in clinical trials which , offer the best treatment options and highest quality of care for cancer patients ,” said Jessica Rhee , MD , MS , UH Cancer Center ’ s Clinical Trials Office medical director .
“ I ’ m very appreciative to Dr . Judy Mohr Peterson , Med-QUEST division administrator , Dr . Curtis Toma , Med-QUEST medical director and Dr . Jessica Rhee for working so diligently and collaboratively to create a policy that addresses the needs of some of the most vulnerable cancer patients in Hawaiʻi ,” said Randall Holcombe , MD , MBA , UH Cancer Center director . “ This is an effort supported by multiple state legislators and healthcare organizations , Hawaiʻi Society of Clinical Oncology , and the Hawaiʻi chapters of American Cancer Society and Susan G . Komen .”
Med-QUEST cancer patients in Hawaiʻi receive coverage for routine care costs such as doctors ’
JESSICA RHEE
visits and laboratory tests . Med-QUEST , unlike Medicare and private insurance , is not federally required to cover these routine care costs for patients participating in clinical trials . This policy guidance will ensure equal access to the best treatments available on clinical trials for Med-QUEST cancer patients .
“ I believe clinical trials coverage should be available to all cancer patients . I am proud of the work we have done to ensure Hawaiʻi ’ s Medicaid enrollees have access to the most novel and potentially lifesaving treatments through clinical trials ,” said Judy Mohr Peterson , PhD , Medicaid director and administrator for Med-QUEST .
“ This is a major step forward and something that we have been discussing with Dr . Rhee for many months . As a lung cancer survivor who was told I had six to 12 months , I know the importance of having access to and coverage for any and all cancer treatment options ,” said Grace Lee , a member of the community-based Patient Advocacy Committee ( PAC ) that provides input to the UH Cancer Center about community needs and concerns .
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