Navigating cancer is uniquely complex– and without the timely, coordinated support, members can experience delays in care, unnecessary emergency visits, and higher total costs. Studies show that case management, when done well, can reduce costs and improve outcomes through better symptom management, interventions, and stronger member engagement. That’s why case management has been a foundation part of health plans’ strategies. Health plans are deeply invested in ensuring members receive the right care at the right time, and in the right setting.
However, when it comes to cancer, the traditional case management model alone is not enough. They are not fully equipped to manage the complexity of care associated with members with cancer such as high-acuity treatment plans, coordination across specialties, shifting goals of care, and the emotional and social needs of members and their families. Cancer is uniquely complex, requiring a level of specialization, responsiveness, and collaboration that broad, generalized approaches struggle to deliver. It demands frequent, proactive engagement, real-time clinical oversight, and close coordination with the treating oncologist.
Rather than rebuilding case management from the ground up, payers have an opportunity to enhance it. Dedicated oncology navigation fills the most critical gaps —offering specialized, proactive support that complements existing care management strategies.
Investments in case management have yielded meaningful results across many populations. Yet cancer presents distinct challenges that traditional models weren’t designed to meet:
Disconnected from providers: Case management frequently operates in silos, lacking integration with oncologists and real-time clinical data.
These are not failures of case management, but inherent limitations of its broad design. Oncology care requires clinical nuance and responsiveness beyond what general case management can provide.
Traditional case management is a vital starting point—but oncology navigation takes member support to another level. Thyme Care’s model complements case management by addressing three critical needs:
1. Oncology-Trained Team at Scale
Thyme Care offers access to a dedicated network of 400+ oncology-trained professionals, including medical directors leading a team of oncology nurses, social workers, advanced practitioners, and care partners. Available 24/7, our team provides specialized, compassionate support tailored to the unique side effects, treatment regimens, and psychosocial challenges cancer patients face—a level of support that most payers cannot deliver alone.
2. Proactive, Technology-Enabled Workflows
Traditional case management is often reactive. Thyme Care’s tech-enabled approach is designed to be proactive—catching issues early and guiding timely, personalized care.
Thyme Box is our purpose-built oncology navigation platform that enables our team to deliver scalable, proactive support with both the provider and member experience in mind:
Early symptom detection: Validated ePROs (electronic patient-reported outcomes) based on NCI’s Pro-CTCAE instrument and/or NCCN’s Distress Thermometer, flag concerns before they escalate, triggering real-time interventions. 72% of our members respond to ePROs, compared to the 41% industry average.
24/7 triage protocols: Through task automation, oncology-trained nurse practitioners and registered nurses respond quickly to prevent unnecessary ED visits. Our average response time for inbound calls is ~30 seconds.
Advance care planning: The platform proactively surfaces members who may benefit from palliative or hospice care—supporting goal-concordant conversations.
Intelligent workflows: Evidence-based playbooks and automated tasking help our team deliver consistent, high-quality care.
Integrated data: Thyme Box aggregates EHR and other clinical data, enabling seamless coordination with treating providers.
With Thyme Box, we don’t wait for problems—we help prevent them. That’s the difference between traditional case management and oncology-focused navigation. It also enables us to manage increasing number of members with cancer at scale.
3. Deep Oncologist Coordination
Seamless EHR integration enables continuous, bi-directional communication between Thyme Care’s Care Team and oncology providers. This coordination prevents duplication of outreach and ensures alignment with the treating oncologist’s care plan – helping members receive consistent, connected support. But technology alone isn’t enough. We build trust with oncology groups by showing up as partners, not disruptors—respecting their expertise, sharing timely insights, and reducing administrative burden. That trust is what opens the door to true collaboration, bridging gaps between payers and providers and ultimately improving the member experience.
Supporting members with cancer through dedicated navigation leads to tangible benefits:
Improved Member Satisfaction: 88% of members report feeling more supported after engaging with Thyme Care.
Lower Utilization: Early symptom management and urgent care services help reduce emergency department visits and hospitalizations, with a proven 40% relative risk reduction in ED utilization for members engaged with Thyme Care.
Aligned Workflows: Thyme Care’s Care Model strongly emphasizes coordination with the member’s treating oncologist. By working closely with our members’ provider teams, we create a seamless care experience that reduces the administrative burden for providers and enhances continuity of care for members:
By enhancing—not replacing—case management, oncology navigation unlocks new value for both members and organizations.
Oncology navigation is not just a nice-to-have—it’s a cost-effective extension of your existing care management strategy. Thyme Care is designed to integrate seamlessly into the broader health plan ecosystem:
Together, case management and dedicated oncology navigation form a powerful partnership—providing proactive, personalized support to a highly vulnerable population. This combined approach helps members navigate complex treatments, access critical support services, avoid unnecessary acute care, and feel truly seen and cared for.