The Health Insurance Assistance Service is a joint effort between the Society and the Georgetown University Health Policy Institute. The HIAS is a free resource that connects cancer patients who call the ACS cancer information number, 1-800-ACS-2345, with health insurance specialists who work to address their needs.

The specialists, who work at the Society’s National Cancer Information Center (NCIC) in Texas, handle inquiries about health insurance, coverage dynamics, and state programs – all specific to the caller’s needs. So far, more than 11,500 cases from 28 states have been addressed in the Health Insurance Assistance Service, with plans to continue expanding the program.

While the HIAS is already available in Indiana, it is scheduled to begin in Michigan by February 4. The HIAS will offer callers in the Great Lakes Division unique services.

"HIAS can explain your insurance benefits and also help you find additional resources. It’s tremendously valuable. If you have questions regarding your coverage, experts help you know what questions to ask and who you should be asking. No one else, hospitals or insurance companies, is providing a similar service," said Deb Dillingham, Director of Quality of Life for the Great Lakes Division.

In addition to actual assistance, the volume and type of calls received are captured as part of an internal database that allows for analysis of trends and emerging issues. This makes the HIAS a useful tool for identifying policy solutions to help others in similar situations.

Brad Burk, Director of Federal Government Relations for the Great Lakes Division, believes that the HIAS is a critical tool in the American Cancer Society’s Access to Care campaign, which launched in 2007 to help all Americans gain equal access to quality health care.

"Today, over 47 million Americans are without health insurance, many of which will be diagnosed with cancer. For that reason, we are working hard to ensure that our elected officials address America's health care crisis. Simultaneously, we must work to ensure that those patients facing financial difficulty are not neglected. This amazing resource has been created to help meet that need."

By documenting access problems faced by cancer patients, ACS will be able to tell policymakers about the concerns of real cancer patients and work towards policy solutions. The Health Insurance Assistance Service will highlight problems that can be addressed in the short run while also offering lasting insight into the meaning of coverage adequacy.

To learn more about what the American Cancer Society is doing to increase access to care, visit www.cancer.org/access.