Leadership in Oncology Navigation
Transform care through our navigation training and credentialing program.
Professional, non-clinical patient navigation is an evidence-based intervention that improves cancer outcomes from screening through survivorship. The American Cancer Society Leadership in Oncology Navigation (ACS LIONTM) is a standardized training and credentialing program that helps navigators deliver this essential support to individuals, caregivers, and families experiencing cancer. The program meets the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) training requirements for "Principal Illness Navigation" reimbursement and is aligned to professional oncology navigation (PONT) standards.
Benefits of patient navigator training and credentialing
Program benefits for navigators:
- Greater credibility with the formal endorsement of your patient navigation expertise
- Improved knowledge and skills of the complex cancer care system
- Enhanced understanding of how to tailor support by patient needs
- Preparation for greater responsibility and professional development
Program benefits for oncology practices:
- Enhanced role clarity and defined scope for non-clinical patient navigators
- Increased recognition and commitment to the diverse needs of patients, caregivers, and community
- Ability to meet CMS training requirements for providing principal illness navigation services eligible for reimbursement
This program was developed with specific training for CMS-required competencies announced as part of the 2024 Physician Fee Schedule and alignment to the PONT standards. It is uniquely designed to support successful billing for non-clinical navigation services under CMS Principal Illness Navigation (PIN).
Who is this program for?
The ACS Leadership in Oncology Navigation training and credentialing program is designed for any individual or organization seeking recognition for providing professional non-clinical navigation aligned to CMS competencies and professional oncology navigation (PONT) standards, including but not limited to:
- Patient Navigator/Oncology Patient Navigator
- Professional Navigator
- Social Worker
- Nurse Navigator
- Community Health Worker
- Promotores/Promotoras de salud
- Financial Navigator
- Clinical Trial Navigator
- Patient Care Coordinator
- Registered Nurse
- Licensed Practical Nurse
Our navigators thought the ACS LION program was very valuable. Some of them had previously taken other training programs and felt that ACS LION further expanded on what they learned.
Trusted resources and expertise
The American Cancer Society is an experienced leader in patient navigation, working alongside partners and stakeholders for over 30 years to establish the field of navigation. ACS has funded patient navigators and navigation programs, developed navigation training curricula, and united organizations through the American Cancer Society National Navigation Roundtable. The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN), our advocacy affiliate, has championed policies that expand sustainable access to patient navigation.
Now, we are expanding our navigation work even further with training and credentialing for professional navigators, in active partnership with oncology providers and the cancer community. We’re working to make navigation training more accessible, with a goal of broadening and maintaining our national reach.
Standardized training is more important than ever, especially in an environment that strives to tailor to diverse populations. Reducing barriers with expertly trained navigators will lead to a positive impact that overall reduces health disparities among various patient groups. ACS is uniquely positioned to lead these efforts as a trusted source of cancer information and a patient advocacy organization that stands for high quality cancer care for all.
I loved the organization, the pace, and the difficulty of the content. It was incredibly validating to see how my training and work practices align with the course, as well as areas that I can improve.
Harness the knowledge to positively impact lives. Register now.
Enroll in the ACS LION training and credentialing program for $495 per learner.
Access assistance for the training and credentialing program are available through the Leadership in Oncology Navigation Equity Support (ACS LION-ES) program. Our goal is to reduce financial barriers to the ACS LION program by offering enrollment to a limited number of individuals at no charge.
More information, eligibility requirements and a link to the application form are available in our Request for Applications overview.
ACS is dedicated to strategically redirecting the funds gained from this course into efforts to support the rapidly growing field of patient navigators. Learn more about our work in patient navigation.
Key things to know about the program:
- The program is completed online and is self-paced (except for the program assessment).
- There is no in-person requirement.
- The program should be completed on a desktop or laptop for the best experience.
- Modules and quizzes do not have to be completed in one sitting; progress will be saved.
- However, the program assessment must be completed in one sitting at a desktop or laptop with a webcam and microphone (tablets are not supported). To demonstrate competency, the assessment is a live, proctored exam (through the computer) with a time limit.
- Re-credentialing and continuing education will be aligned with CMS requirements.
To earn the Leadership in Oncology Navigation credential, learners must:
- Complete all ten (10) modules in the program.
- Complete all quizzes with a score of at least 80%.
- Complete the program assessment with a score of at least 80%.
- Complete all above requirements within ninety (90) days of enrolling in the program.
The 10 modules are:
- Navigation Basics
- Cancer Basics
- Person-centered Assessments
- Health System Services Access and Coordination
- Community-based Services Access and Coordination
- Community Assessment
- Patient and Family Communication
- Promoting Patient Self-Advocacy
- Facilitation of Person-centered Support
- Professionalism and Ethical Conduct
The learner handbook can be found here.
Reimbursement for professional, non-clinical navigation
Expanded cancer navigation: “Principal Illness Navigation”
The 2024 Physician Fee Schedule from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) includes reimbursement for professional, non-clinical patient navigation services for patients with a “Principal Illness,” including cancer and other high-risk conditions.
For the first time, there are reliable reimbursement pathways to support the professional patient navigation workforce.
CMS-required training competencies include: patient and family communication, interpersonal and relationship-building, patient and family capacity building, service coordination and systems navigation, patient advocacy, facilitation, individual and community assessment, professionalism and ethical conduct, and the development of an appropriate knowledge base, including specific certification or training on the serious, high-risk condition/illness/disease addressed in the initiating visit.
To learn more, read our professional navigation payment FAQ.
Provider implementation support
In addition to training and credentialing, ACS will continue to serve as a national convener of stakeholders interested in the implementation, evaluation, and sustainability of patient navigation. We’ll offer a variety of resources to help oncology providers build effective and efficient professional navigation services.
Virtual Bootcamp Series
The American Cancer Society Leadership in Oncology (ACS LION™) program presents a series of diverse bootcamps to support the expansion of high-quality, sustainable navigation.
Building Sustainable Navigation Bootcamp
The inaugural bootcamp is presented jointly by ACS LION and the Academy of Oncology Nurse and Patient Navigators (AONN+). Building Sustainable Navigation 101 will include:
- Developing a business case for professional navigation
- Staffing models, team definitions, competencies, and roles and responsibilities
Key Details and Dates
- Application due date: March 15, 2024
- Bootcamp term: April 8, 2024 – May 8, 2024
- Modality: Virtual learning activities with weekly sessions featuring a mix of expert presentations and group sharing
- There is no cost to participate
More information about the Building Sustainable Navigation Bootcamp
Webinars:
March 4, 2024 3:30 to 4:30 p.m ET
Topic: Decoding the CMS clinical and non-clinical navigation billing code
Join us to discuss the SDOH, PCM, PIN, CHI, and caregiver education billing codes - what they are and how to use them in the oncology practice setting.
Recorded sessions:
Topics:
- Medicare Payment Policies Addressing Health-Related Social Needs Under the Calendar Year 2024 Physician Fee Schedule: High-Level Summary
- Oncology Navigation Training and Credentialing Program Orientation: ACS LION™
- Medicare PIN Reimbursement: ACS LION™ Learning Session
Acknowledgements
Thank you to the following oncology and navigation experts for their support:
- Beth Calhoun, PhD, MEd
- Elizabeth Franklin, PhD, MSW
- J. Nicholas Odom, PhD, RN, ACHPN, FAAN, School of Nursing, University of Alabama at Birmingham
- Morgean Hirt, ICE-CCP, Director of Credentialing, Association for Talent Development
- Oncology Nursing Society
- Susan G. Komen
- Triage Cancer
- Vickie Leff, LCSW, APHSW-C, Palliative Care Consultant
Thank you to the following health systems for being pilot participants:
- Guideway Care
- Mount Sinai Health System
- Penn Medicine
- Susan G. Komen
- Thyme Care
- University of Alabama at Birmingham
Frequently Asked Questions
The ACS program was developed with specific training for CMS-required competencies announced as part of the 2024 Physician Fee Schedule and alignment to the PONT standards. It was uniquely designed to support successful billing for non-clinical navigation services under CMS Principal Illness Navigation (PIN). We also sought to provide greater role clarity and defined scope for non-clinical patient navigators and to expand the navigation workforce by offering a credentialing program without an in-person requirement.
The initial launch of this program will be specific to non-clinical oncology navigation.
The cost for access to the program will be $495, which includes up to two attempts to take the program assessment. Given our strong commitment to navigation, revenue generated from the program will be re-invested into ACS' navigation portfolio. Opportunities for program access assistance are available to reduce barriers to the training and credentialing program. For more information, email ACSLION@cancer.org.
On September 13, 2023, the White House issued a Fact Sheet to announce new actions and commitments to end cancer as we know it. The new ACS oncology professional navigator curricula and credentialing program was included in this news, along with commitments from other nonprofits, government agencies, and nongovernmental organizations.
These new CMS billing codes are for patients with traditional, fee-for-service Medicare. It is common for Medicare Advantage plans and private insurers to also pay for codes which are first adopted in fee-for-service Medicare, but uptake timing is variable. PIN can be provided as part of the treatment plan for cancer and other serious, high-risk diseases.
PIN can be provided by certified or trained personnel under the direction of a billing practitioner. Training must include the competencies of patient and family communication, interpersonal and relationship building, patient and family capacity building, service coordination and systems navigation, patient advocacy, facilitation, individual and community assessment, professionalism and ethical conduct, and the development of an appropriate knowledge base, including specific certification or training on the serious, high-risk condition/illness/disease addressed in the initiating visit. The ACS training and credentialing program was developed to meet these competencies and be in alignment with the PONT standards.
Since Medicare does not allow navigators to bill directly for their services, navigators must provide navigation services under the direction of a billing provider (in most cases, a physician, advanced practice provider, or psychologist) working in the outpatient setting.
ACS is also providing learning opportunities in 2024 to help organizations understand the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule billing and documentation requirements, and to provide operational support in providing or expanding professional navigation. To learn more, please email ACSLION@cancer.org
Contact Us
For more information, please contact us at ACSLION@cancer.org or call 800-227-2345.
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