Publication: D CEO Healthcare, Dallas
By: Olivia Nguyen
Dallas-based Texas Oncology, an independent oncology practice, is opening its facilities across the state to help storm-displaced cancer patients with their treatments. Cancer patients in or out of Texas Oncology’s network that were affected by Hurricane Harvey can receive treatment at any open location.
According to the practice, since several healthcare facilities have closed due to Hurricane Harvey, Texas Oncology will provide individualized care for patients to get back on-track with their chemotherapy and other treatments. In North Texas, Texas Oncology has practices across 22 cities. The oncology practice has 175 sites of service in total.
About 15 to 25 of Texas Oncology’s Gulf Coast site locations have been affected. The oncology practice said it’s been “working diligently to reopen the sites that have not been too affected,” and is waiting for Gulf Coast sites to “get the safety approval for employees.” Texas Oncology said it hopes the affected sites will reopen Friday or early next week.
Texas Oncology told D CEO Healthcare that its team will handle the intake of each patient on a case-by-case basis for their treatment, insurance coverage, and other financial matters to handle temporary-transfer treatment.
Dr. Lalan Wilfong, medical director of quality programs at Texas Oncology, told D CEO Healthcare that members and non-members of Texas Oncology that were displaced will be treated. He said those who were treated at a Gulf Coast Texas Oncology location are easily transferred since their records, physicians, and medical information are accessible on the system’s database. Additionally, Texas Oncology confirmed with all its major insurers that costs will be covered for displaced patients.
For members not with Texas Oncology, Wilfong said it will be a “bit more challenging. Since we do not have access to their medical records or physicians that can speak on the patient’s behalf, we will work with patients to understand” their cases. If patients have their own patient portals, Wilfong said Texas Oncology will help manage care.
“It’s always amazing in a time of crisis how people come together,” Wilfong told D CEO Healthcare. “All of our physicians, nurses, and staff across the state want to step up and help displaced patients with cancer. We just want to make sure their cancer care continues.”