Financial Advocacy Network Town Hall: Tips for Tracking Impact

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.

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.

Christina Fuller, BSW is employed as an Oncology Patient Financial Navigator at Mosaic Life Care, Mosaic Life Care Cancer Care. At the age of sixteen Mrs. Fuller started in healthcare a Certified Nursing Assistant and has gained extensive experience in the healthcare field. In her current role she prides herself in fullest by assessing the patient’s need and navigating them through the financially tough times they may be experiencing or could experience.Christina worked in the medical field since the age of 16, starting out as a Certified Nursing Assistance.

In May of 2016, Christina graduated with a bachelor's in social work and by December was asked to start the Financial Navigation program at Mosaic Life Care Cancer Care. After starting this program, she soon realized she could use her degree to it’s fullest by assessing the patient’s need and navigating them through the financially tough times they may be experiencing or could experience ahead.