WASHINGTON, Dec. 15 (UPI) -- U.S. Medicare officials announced Wednesday projects to improve the early detection and treatment of cancer among minority Medicare beneficiaries.
The Benefits Improvement and Protection Act of 2000 provided $25 million for the demonstration project, which will be used to implement programs to help minority beneficiaries "navigate" the healthcare system in a timelier manner.
Services may include identifying and scheduling appointments with culturally sensitive caregivers, coordinating care among various providers, arranging for translation/interpretation, assisting transportation services, and providing other services to overcome barriers encountered during cancer care.
Medicare is inviting participation from all qualified medical practitioners, insurers and minority institutions. The solicitation focuses on three components of cancer services: screening, diagnosis, and treatment. Four cancers are targeted -- breast, cervical, colorectal, and prostate.
By way of example, although older African American females develop cancer at lower rates than their white counterparts, African American survival rates are lower. Five year relative survival rates for African-American males are also lower.
