UnitedHealthcare expands cancer support for eligible commercial members

With the prevalence of certain types of cancer continuing to grow, including among younger demographics, early detection can often be a crucial step of the journey because it may improve treatment outcomes and survival rates. 

Since the mid-2000s, the number of women with breast cancer diagnoses has been steadily rising.¹  In fact, breast cancer is now the most common type of cancer in the U.S.²

By comparison, colorectal cancer diagnoses have increased in people under 50 by more than 1% a year since 2005. In the same age group, colorectal cancer is now the leading cause of cancer deaths, according to new research from the American Cancer Society.³

That’s why for certain UnitedHealthcare plans eligible members have access to enhanced cancer detection benefits, including coverage for the first diagnostic breast imaging and the first diagnostic colorectal cancer detection service — at no additional cost to the member.  

The new enhanced cancer detection benefit is part of UnitedHealthcare’s efforts to help close gaps in care and improve the consumer experience in health care. Since 2021, UnitedHealth Group has closed 575 million gaps in care.

Often preventive cancer screenings, such as routine mammograms or colonoscopies, are performed when there are no symptoms present and are designed to catch cancer early or even before it develops, based on average risk factors. Staying on top of preventive care and screenings is one of the most powerful ways to protect one’s health and may improve treatment outcomes and survival rates.⁴

In contrast, diagnostic services are often used when symptoms are present, a person has greater risk or a preventive cancer screening reveals something abnormal, helping to confirm or rule out a diagnosis.⁴ Diagnostic services may come with out-of-pocket costs for the member.

No matter what type of cancer you’ve been diagnosed with, UnitedHealthcare’s Cancer Resource Services connect eligible members to a national network of Centers of Excellence (COE) and top-performing cancer centers across the country. 

The cancer COE network comprises 37 leading cancer centers, each meeting strict evaluation criteria based on a multidisciplinary approach to care, best-practice medicine, patient- and family-oriented programs and services, treatment planning and coordination, clinical research and patient safety.

If you’re choosing where to receive treatment, the cancer COE network is intended to complement local hospital and physician care. Potential benefits may include:

• Higher rates of accurate diagnoses and appropriate therapy
• Fewer complications
• Planned and coordinated care provided by a team of experts who specialize in many types of cancer, including rare cancers
• Higher survival rates, shorter stays and decreased costs
• Expanded treatment options

The Cancer Support Program from UnitedHealthcare offers personalized support, resources and benefit navigation help for eligible members in active treatment, connecting them with oncology nurse case managers who help reinforce the care plan, manage symptoms and find trustworthy resources.   

The Surest health plan offers cancer care coverage and resources to help you navigate a cancer diagnosis. The Surest Clinical Advocacy team is available to help with:

• Understanding important decisions about treatments
• Identifying in-network doctors and facilities
• Supporting your care preferences with doctors and other specialists on a care team
• Navigating Surest benefits to help understand the costs for services
• Learning about resources and support groups with other people going through a similar challenge

If you’ve received a cancer diagnosis, call the number on the back of your insurance card and ask what resources are available to support you as you navigate your cancer journey.