From the Guidelines
A social worker plays a crucial role in addressing a patient's financial difficulties related to medical expenses by providing financial navigation services, increasing financial literacy, and strategizing on how to afford life-saving medications, as evidenced by a 2023 study in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology 1. To address a patient's financial difficulties, a social worker can take several steps, including:
- Conducting a comprehensive assessment of the patient's financial situation and healthcare needs
- Helping patients apply for public assistance programs, such as Medicaid, Medicare, or marketplace insurance plans
- Connecting patients with pharmaceutical assistance programs that provide free or discounted medications
- Negotiating payment plans, applying for charity care programs, or assisting with medical bill reduction for hospital bills
- Referring patients to community resources, like federally qualified health centers, free clinics, disease-specific foundations, and transportation assistance programs These services can lead to decreased out-of-pocket costs for patients and increased cost savings for hospital systems, ultimately improving quality of life and disease outcomes, as shown in the study 1. The integration of financial navigation services, including social workers, into cardiology clinics is necessary, similar to their incorporation in oncology centers, to improve patient outcomes and reduce financial toxicity, as highlighted in the 2023 study 1. Key aspects of a social worker's role in addressing financial difficulties include:
- Increasing financial literacy
- Strategizing on how to afford life-saving medications
- Providing case management services to navigate complex healthcare systems
- Assisting with necessary paperwork and understanding benefits By providing these services, social workers can help alleviate financial barriers that prevent patients from accessing needed care, leading to improved health outcomes and reduced long-term costs, as supported by the evidence 1.
From the Research
Role of Social Workers in Addressing Financial Difficulties
- Social workers can play a crucial role in addressing a patient's financial difficulties related to medical expenses by identifying available financial resources and barriers to connecting those resources to patients 2.
- They can help determine if a patient has reviewed their legal status concerning wills, insurance, and estate planning, and encourage them to seek legal advice if necessary 3.
- Social workers can also participate in multidisciplinary interventions to improve the quality of life for patients with advanced cancer, including addressing financial concerns and legal issues 4.
Identifying and Addressing Financial Concerns
- Social workers can help identify patients who are at risk of financial distress and refer them to appropriate services 2.
- They can work with patients to address financial challenges, such as navigating the healthcare system and accessing available resources 5.
- Social workers can also provide education on financial, social, and legal issues, and help patients develop strategies to manage their financial concerns 4.
Collaboration with Other Healthcare Professionals
- Social workers can collaborate with other healthcare professionals, such as financial care counselors and physicians, to address patients' financial concerns and improve their overall quality of life 2, 6.
- They can work together to develop interventions that focus on screening for early identification of financial distress and identification of resources 2.
- Social workers can also help physicians and other healthcare professionals understand the financial challenges faced by patients and develop strategies to address these challenges 6, 5.