Financial Advocacy Network Town Hall: December 2021

Jordan Karwedsky is one of seven financial counselors at Green Bay Oncology, and has worked in oncology for 11 years.  She joined Green Bay Oncology in their billing department and transferred to the clinical setting as a financial counselor.  Jordan is part of a team that is responsible for obtaining authorizations for all medications, labs, diagnostic imaging, and radiation treatment. This team also supports patients by enrolling them into local and national foundations, and pharmaceutical company co-pay card and patient assistance programs to assist with medication out of pocket costs.  Jordan’s biggest role is being an advocate for the patient.

Jordan participates in a number of committees within the organization including the Clinical Practice Committee, as well as works with the providers to update Clinical Pathways.   She has presented on financial advocacy at the 2016 ACCC National Oncology Conference, consulted with other cancer centers to develop their financial counselor programs, worked with outside donors to obtain funding for an internal patient assistance program.

Angie Santiago, CRCS-I, is the Manager for Oncology Financial Advocacy, with the Thomas Jefferson University Health System, Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center. She created and implemented the Oncology Patient Assistance Program that is utilized at the Thomas Jefferson University Health System. The program was initiated to assist patients with the acquisition of supplemental financial coverage, over and beyond what has been traditionally provided by the hospital’s business office. Angie has worked in healthcare for almost 16 years within patient access, revenue cycle and financial counseling. She has presented on financial toxicity and related topics at patient navigators networking meetings. She is a graduate of the ACCC Financial Advocacy Network Boot Camp.

Lori Schneider is an Oncology Operations Manager at Green Bay Oncology, and has worked in healthcare for over 25 years. She joined Green Bay Oncology as a receptionist, later transferring to their billing department where she worked in accounts receivable. In 2006 Ms. Schneider transferred back to the clinic setting and developed the financial counseling role. In her role as Oncology Operations Manager, she currently oversees financial counseling, social work, medical records, site management, credentialing, and physician scheduling. She also serves as the Chairperson for the Northeast Wisconsin Technical College Health Navigation Program.

Ms. Schneider has presented at conferences on the importance of financial counseling in the oncology clinic; what it looks like to have a centralized team that cares for all of the patient’s financial and insurance needs, including all authorizations; and the importance of utilizing pharmaceutical and specialty pharmacy representatives to enhance your program. Lori and her team have assisted cancer programs nationally and locally helping them establish financial counseling programs.

Francinna Scott-Jones is a knowledgeable professional specializing in Healthcare Revenue Cycle. For the past 25 years, she has worked specifically in the Radiation Oncology sector, for both freestanding radiation oncology centers as well as outpatient hospital-based facilities.  Accomplishments include, obtaining two certifications, one as a Certified Radiation Oncology Coder (ROCC) and another as a HFMA Certified Patient Account Representative (CPAR).   Previously she has worked as a Billing and Reimbursement Director for the CBO of a large Radiation Oncology Practice Management Company which managed 24 practices located all over the US.  Currently she serves as the Financial Coordinator for the Radiation Oncology Department at Northside Hospital Cancer Institute in Atlanta, GA.  Closing the disparity in healthcare has been an area of focus for her; she believes quality healthcare is a right that should be afforded to all people regardless of their race and/ or social economic background.