Two health companies partner to make breast cancer care less stressful

(Mechanicsburg) — Breast cancer treatment can be stressful, both physically and financially, but two health companies are forming a patnership that aims to make it a little easier.

PinnacleHealth is joining Highmark’s Cancer Collaborative.

So, Highmark members will be able to get outpatient breast cancer care at PinnacleHealth without a pre-authorization.

Pinnacle’s Dr. Prashant Desai says going to the insurance company can push treatment back.

“Sometimes this can actually cause unnecessary delays. We have certain timelines. We are supposed to treat the patient in a certain fashion and sometimes, the insurance can cause certain delays. This basically takes away the delay and makes it very convenient for the patient,” says Dr. Desai.

Desai says now, PinnacleHealth patients with Highmark insurance will be able to receive breast cancer treatment more quickly.

He says the costs for patients should also stabilize – since they’ll have just one copay, even if the treatment course changes as doctors get a better look at the breast cancer.

“There’s no more of that guessing game, waiting for the claim to come in, how many of the claims are going to get paid. It really simplifies, streamlines. Reduces administrative processes on your side, reduces administrative processes on our side,” adds Highmark’s Dr. Virginia Calega.

Calega says PinnacleHealth won’t need to frequently go back to Highmark to get another treatment authorization, which will cut administrative costs.

A Pinnacle spokeswoman says even if a proposed merger between Pinnacle and Penn State Health is approved, the Highmark agreement will continue.