Employers can take steps to improve employee cancer treatment

NEBGH found that employers leading the way in quality cancer care have hired cancer nurse managers dedicated to their employees; implemented paid time off for approved family medical leave; developed a cancer-specific portal and guide for benefits, programs and policies; and trained managers and workers in appropriate behavior and human resource policies related to cases where an employee discloses a cancer diagnosis.

The survey of 19 self-insured employers representing about 1.2 million workers showed that 58% of those surveyed provide employees with access to oncology centers of excellence, 48% offer critical illness insurance, and 42% provide a network of high-performing oncology doctors.