You’re diagnosed with cancer.

Do you hear anything after that word is said?

“Your brain shuts down,” said Nan Carmody, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska (BCBSNE) case management manager. “It’s life changing, effecting everything.”

Providing help with life after a diagnosis is what BCBSNE case managers do. Case managers are nurses who advocate for our members throughout their treatment journey: educating them about treatment, providing them resources, explaining benefits and communicating with providers.

A recent review by a member helped a by BCBSNE case manager demonstrates the emotional support.

“Megan communicated with us since June 2018, every week, to my wife’s death on January 8, 2019 and afterward. Megan’s empathetic tone and information provided so much knowledge and understanding. She not only informed us of coverage specifics but was always available to talk about my wife’s current symptoms. Without Megan’s guidance thru this ordeal; life would have been unbearable.”

Depending on the type of cancer, there can be dozens of health care professionals involved in a patient’s care.

Case managers sort it all out by making weekly phone calls to the member to educate them on the disease process, what treatment they are going through and the side effects.

After 18 years as a BCBSNE case manager, Lisa Borer says the hardest part is not being able to fix everything.

“As nurses, we want to fix it,” Borer said. “We can’t. The best thing we can do is be there for the member and help them on their journey, answer questions and just be there to support them and their family.”

In a complicated health care system guiding a member through it is needed now more than ever.

“Without the many phone conversations with Karen I would have never made it through the ’storm‘ with my husband. It was so overwhelming. Karen was always there to help with whatever we needed. I appreciate your program and am so thankful for Karen.”

A cancer diagnosis can be scary and overwhelming. Megan, Karen, Lisa and many others are there to help.

Lisa Borer recalls a cancer patient that she helped.