The Employer’s Modern Guide to Cancer Care Benefits
July 15, 2026
Accelerated access to the right cancer care
Our approach to building accelerated access to the best NCIs and community oncologists is a differentiator for members and their families after a cancer diagnosis.
Your Challenges
2% of your member base with active cancer drive 20% of total healthcare spend.1
Cancer is an emotional and complex journey, and employees who are navigating it need specialized support.
Treatments are advancing rapidly. It can be difficult to know if your employees are getting the best care, as close to home as possible.
Guidance through Cancer Treatment with Lantern
Lantern members have quick access to Oncology Nurse Navigators to review and discuss their diagnosis and treatment plan, ask questions about medications and side effects, and address any other concerns that arise along the journey.
Measuring Our Impact
Our approach to building accelerated access to the best NCIs and community oncologists is a differentiator for members and their families facing a cancer diagnosis.2
1:1
Oncology Nurse Navigator to answer questions and offer support
<10
days to first appointment at local or national cancer centers
100%
of members eligible – every age, every diagnosis, every stage
Because of Lantern’s robust network, Lantern members can access faster appointments at local and national cancer centers.
Our program is focused on appropriately optimizing the site of care and guided support to reduce ER visits and in-patient stays in the hospital.
Lantern Oncology Nurse Navigators will answer treatment and medication questions, get insurance approvals, book travel and provide emotional support and education to family members.
An Oncology Nurse Navigator will review a diagnosis or treatment plan with the member and help facilitate a second opinion, if appropriate.
Lantern combines compassionate support with expert advice
Lantern members have quick access to Oncology Nurse Navigators to review their diagnosis and treatment plan, discuss medications and side effects, and address any other concerns that arise along the journey.
“Claudia was amazing. She got everything going and really helped to facilitate my treatment. It’s such a nice feeling having that extra support system—it alleviates some of our stressors."
Donna V.
Meet Claudia McClanahan
Claudia McClanahan, RN, BSN, OCN, an Oncology Case Manager with Lantern, has more than 12 years of experience as a bedside nurse. Her role’s most rewarding part is the deep connections she builds with members. She values the special bond formed through supporting members during their toughest times and celebrating their triumphs.
Our members get 30 – 45 minutes with the doctor, but they usually have questions about a medication or procedures after they leave. Lantern members don’t have to feel intimidated calling us. We’ll spend as much time as we need to make sure they understand what to do, any potential side effects and answering all their questions.
We’re here for members every step of the way
The member journey starts with a phone call. Lantern members diagnosed with cancer or caring for someone with cancer can reach out to their Oncology Nurse Navigator to get the help and support they need. Oncology Nurse Navigators can:
- Answer questions about their diagnosis and treatment
- Help schedule faster appointments at local and national cancer centers
- Help with medical records and paperwork
- Help get treatments approved through insurance, if appropriate
“Lantern helped me sort through the hurdles and frustrations of understanding my insurance and scheduling appointments with specialists. Because Emily, my Oncology Nurse Navigator, was able to get me into several specialists within two weeks instead of waiting months and months, I was quickly enrolled into a treatment plan that had me on a path to recovery.”
Craig
What Our Clients & Members Are Saying
“I found a partner who can meet employees and their families where they are on their journey, not just clinically, but culturally and in their language. ”
Suzanne Dezember Usaj
“Claudia was amazing. She got everything going and really helped to facilitate my treatment. It’s such a nice feeling having that extra support system—it alleviates some of our stressors."
Donna V.
"It was really exciting for us to have something in place that was happening behind the scenes and identifying those rare cases and situations where their local oncologists might not have the knowledge and expertise to really plan their treatment and make sure they're getting the best care."
Dawn Beaudin
Ready to talk? We’re here
Get in touch with our team to see how Lantern can elevate your company’s benefits.
Frequently Asked Questions: Cancer Care Benefits
Why is cancer one of the fastest-growing cost drivers for employers?
Cancer is one of the fastest-growing healthcare cost drivers because treatments are becoming more advanced, personalized and expensive. Approximately 40% of U.S. adults will be diagnosed with cancer during their lifetime, and high-cost therapies account for up to 50% of cancer treatment costs. Employers also face indirect costs from lost productivity and disability leave, making early intervention and coordinated care essential.
How do employers support employees after a cancer diagnosis without driving up costs?
Employers support employees and control costs by connecting employees with expert clinical guidance and nurse navigation via a dedicated cancer care program. Lantern combines oncology-certified nurse navigators, ongoing clinical oversight and site-of-care optimization to help employees receive appropriate treatment while avoiding costly hospital-based care.
How is an independent cancer COE different from what my health plan already offers?
An independent cancer COE delivers specialized cancer expertise beyond traditional health plan case management. Lantern pairs oncology-certified nurses with recurring expert reviews from National Cancer Institute-designated specialists, while allowing employees to continue seeing local providers whenever appropriate.
What decisions influence employee cancer outcomes and costs early in treatment?
The earliest treatment decisions often have the greatest impact on outcomes and long-term costs. Selecting the right oncologist, confirming the treatment plan, evaluating clinical trial eligibility and shifting care to more affordable locations within the community can improve results while reducing avoidable expenses.
What should employers look for when evaluating an oncology point solution?
What should employers look for when evaluating an oncology point solution?
When evaluating an oncology solution, employers should look for one that prioritizes:
- Clinical expertise
- Nurse navigation
- Proactive member outreach
- Expert second opinions
- Site-of-care optimization
Employers should also evaluate how early members are identified, whether support continues throughout treatment, how clinical quality is measured and how the program calculates savings.
How can I ensure my employees get the highest quality cancer care?
The best way to ensure my employees get the highest quality cancer care is to combine expert clinical oversight with personalized navigation throughout treatment. Lantern provides ongoing reviews from NCI-designated cancer specialists, and 67% of treating oncologists adopt at least one expert recommendation, helping employees receive evidence-based care without disrupting existing physician relationships.
Delivering the best-quality specialty care at scale
Cancer navigation coverage is only one of the benefits Lantern offers, and partnering with Lantern for surgery, cancer and infusion care can help you deliver the best outcomes for your employees.