Cardon Outreach is a company that helps reduce the cost of uncompensated healthcare by assisting uninsured and underinsured patients. They have over 1,200 employees across 43 states who work directly in hospitals and clinics to determine patients' eligibility for assistance programs, help with denied disability claims, and provide other revenue cycle management services. They handle billions of dollars in medical billings annually. Erin Keene, regional vice president of their Kansas office, says their work not only helps hospitals but also benefits patients through advocacy. The company also supports local communities through philanthropic donations.

1. 12 Good Medicine Winter 2016 13
Turning Point: The Center for Hope and Healing
Bend without breaking
Experts at Turning Point teach the art and science of resilience
Reducing the burden of
medical expenses
Every day in hospitals and clinics across the U.S., Cardon
Outreach helps uninsured and underinsured patients reduce
the burden of medical expenses – and helps reduce the cost of
uncompensated care for healthcare providers.
At The University of Kansas Hospital, 12 Cardon Outreach
team members are officed on site to gather information right at
the bedside. They quickly screen self-pay patients to determine
eligibility for government programs
or philanthropic funding that may
cover care expenses. When beneficial
information is missing, field advocates
follow up in patients’homes after
discharge – a service that differentiates
the company from others.
Team members also work with
patients whose disability claims for
medical expenses have been denied.
They investigate the claims to help
patients navigate the often complex process of getting these claims
accepted and paid.
“The work we do not only impacts the hospitals, but benefits the
patients we serve through our advocacy efforts,”said Erin Keene,
regional vice president for the Cardon Outreach office in Overland
Park, Kansas.“On a daily basis, we strive to provide our services to the
community with compassion and care.”
The company offers healthcare providers other revenue cycle
management services as well. Handling billions of dollars in patient
billings annually, Cardon Outreach is one of the largest national
providers in the industry. Nearly 1,200 employees in 43 states assist
patients in more than 650 hospitals and affiliated clinics.
Cardon Outreach also impacts the communities it serves through
philanthropy. “Our organization was honored to support cancer
patient care as a title sponsor of The University of Kansas Hospital’s
annual Treads & Threads,”Keene said.“The work being done by the
hospital and The University of Kansas Cancer Center is not only
important, it’s an inspiration to other healthcare organizations.” n
spotlight
Corporate
Erin Keene,
Regional Vice President
®
Why I give
Estate plan
includes cancer
patient assistance
“My husband and I
don’t have children, so
in our will, we named
philanthropies and causes
that are important to
us. William is a retired
evolutionary biology
professor from the
University of Kansas; I’m
a retired nurse – also
a cancer survivor and
currently in a clinical trial. We included the Oncology Patient
Assistance Fund in our estate plans because The University
of Kansas Cancer Center and The University of Kansas
Hospital have played a big role in me being around to
enjoy life.”
– Carol Bloom, Lawrence, Kansas
Prostate cancer survivor gives back
“Why do I donate to
The University of Kansas
Cancer Center? Because the
people there made it possible
for me to still be here. I was
diagnosed with stage IV prostate
cancer, with a Gleason score of
10, which is the worst; the survival
rate is about 20 percent. But here I am, more than two
years after I finished my last radiation treatment. The care I
received – and still receive – has been exceptional.”
– Mitch Borata, Leawood, Kansas
L
ife’s storms throw everyone off kilter from time to time.
Some people are flexible and can sway in the wind, standing
upright again when the sun shines. But others are unable to
bend and stay rigid, more likely to snap under pressure.
The experience changes both types of people, but who will be
better off?
The concept of resilience – the ability to bounce back after
a stressful event – intrigued Moira Mulhern as she pursued a
doctorate in community health psychology at the University
of Missouri – Kansas City. The topic had been investigated
from more narrow perspectives, such as optimism or emotional
intelligence. But at the time, most assumed
people either were born resilient or weren’t.
“My research led me to believe resilience is
not one simple characteristic,” said Mulhern.
“Instead, resilience is a collection of facets
or dimensions that determine our ability to
manage life’s challenges constructively.”
The art of resilience, she found, is actually
a science that can be taught.
Learning to weather the storm
The idea of teaching resilience led to the creation of Turning Point:
The Center for Hope and Healing, where Mulhern now serves as
executive director. Since facing serious or chronic illness is one of
life’s most anxiety-ridden storms, the center focuses on helping
people in that situation as well as their families and friends.
A team of experts designs, develops and delivers classes, resources
and programs each with the goal of increasing resilience while
reducing both anxiety and depression. Topics range from meditation
to nutrition and from pain management to body movement.
Programs specifically for children and teens are also offered.
Since joining with The University of Kansas Hospital in 2012,
the center has grown from serving 5,455 participants a year to
11,788. No matter where they are treated, resources are available
to everyone at no charge.
For Pam Westhoff, who has a blood disorder, the education and
encouragement she has received at Turning Point has been crucial.
“It’s such a positive, reinforcing place to be,” she said. “I’ve gained
so much knowledge, information and hope. As a result, I can do
more for myself.” n
10 Facets
of Resilience
Ability to calm yourself
Ability to care for yourself
Ability to express emotions
Ability to replenish yourself
Ability to support yourself
without judgment
Sense of coherence
Sense of hardiness
Sense of hope
Sense of optimism
Social support
A program of
Turning Point programs empower and transform the mind, body and spirit of individuals and families living
with serious and chronic physical illnesses. To learn how Turning Point can make a difference for you or a
loved one, visit turningpointkc.org or call 913-574-0900.
Moira Mulhern
To learn more about the 10 Facets of Resilience or
the four skills needed to learn resilience,
visit turningpointkc.org.