Screened but Still Struggling: Challenges in Delivering Financial Assistance After Positive Financial Toxicity...

Financial toxicity can negatively affect treatment adherence, quality of life, and survival in patients with cancer. Although screening for financial toxicity is increasingly implemented across oncology practices and cancer centers, less is known about challenges in delivering timely interventions after a positive screen. We evaluated outcomes and barriers in a systematic financial toxicity screening and referral program at a large comprehensive cancer center.

From March 2023 to December 2024, patients in breast, gynecologic, GI, and thoracic oncology clinics at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center completed an electronic survey assessing health-related social risks and the 12-item Comprehensive Score for Financial Toxicity (COST). A positive screen was defined as COST <16, unmet essential need, or new loan/borrowing for treatment. Patients screening positive and requesting assistance were referred to Patient Financial Services (PFS) for follow-up. Outcomes included proportions with documented outreach, receipt of any intervention, intervention types, and barriers.

A total of 83,978 patients were eligible; of whom 50,949 (61%) completed screening. Of 9,724 positive screens, 8,004 (82%) requested follow-up, and 6,987 referrals were placed. PFS attempted follow-up in 3,383 patients (of the 6,987 = 48%), with documented interventions in 1,510 of 3,383 (45%). Counseling on financial resources (983/3,383 = 29%) was most common, followed by insurance-related counseling (402/3,383 = 12%) and formal program referrals (823/3,383 = 24%). Among patients referred to assistance programs, this was most often to the institutional Financial Assistance Program (438/796 = 55%) or social work (318/796 = 40%). The most frequent barrier was the inability to contact patients (1,464/3,383 = 43%).

Routine financial toxicity screening was implemented at scale and connected many patients to meaningful financial support. However, 81% of those who screened positive did not receive an intervention, underscoring the need for expanded infrastructure and policy reforms to address financial toxicity in cancer care.