Health Insurance Literacy Intervention for Cancer Survivors

(CHAT-S Trial)

Age: 18 - 65

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of Utah

Disqualifiers: Developmental delay, Non-English speakers, others

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 4

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial aims to help young adult cancer survivors better understand their health insurance, reduce financial stress, and improve their follow-up care. Participants will engage in four virtual sessions with a patient navigator who will guide them through insurance details and managing care costs. The trial seeks individuals who have had breast, testicular, lymphoma, sarcoma, or colorectal cancer, completed treatment within the last year, and are patients at specific healthcare centers.

As an unphased trial, this study offers a unique opportunity to gain valuable support and insights into managing post-treatment life.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.

What prior data suggests that this intervention is safe for cancer survivors?

Research shows that the CHAT-S program, which includes online sessions to help people understand health insurance, receives positive feedback. The program guides participants in learning about health insurance and easing financial worries. No reports of negative effects have emerged from this type of educational support. Additionally, similar online programs have proven safe and effective for cancer survivors. This suggests that the CHAT-S program should be safe and comfortable for participants. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the Health Insurance Literacy Intervention for Cancer Survivors because it offers a unique approach to improving post-treatment care. Unlike standard care, which typically involves providing a resource list, this intervention includes personalized support with four bi-weekly videoconferencing sessions guided by a patient navigator. This hands-on approach aims to empower cancer survivors with better understanding and management of insurance, costs, and survivorship care, potentially leading to improved health outcomes and reduced financial stress.

What evidence suggests that this intervention is effective for improving health insurance literacy in cancer survivors?

Research shows that the CHAT-S program, which participants in this trial may receive, can help cancer survivors better understand their health insurance. Studies have found that people who participated in similar sessions gained a clearer grasp of their insurance, helping them avoid financial problems related to their treatment. They also maintained their follow-up cancer care by attending important medical appointments. Overall, the CHAT-S program aims to help young adult cancer survivors manage their health insurance and reduce financial stress, leading to better health outcomes. Meanwhile, participants in the usual care arm will receive a resource list sent by the navigator. ^{1 2 6 7 8}

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for young adult cancer survivors aged 26 to 45, who have been treated for breast, testicular, lymphoma, sarcoma, or colorectal cancer within the last year. Participants must speak English and be patients at specific Utah healthcare institutions.

Inclusion Criteria

I have been diagnosed with breast, testicular, lymphoma, sarcoma, or colorectal cancer.

Participants who are patients at the University of Utah/Huntsman Cancer Institute or Intermountain Healthcare

I finished my initial cancer treatment less than a year ago.

Exclusion Criteria

Participants unable to participate due to developmental delay

I speak a language other than English.

I cannot join via phone or video on a computer or mobile device.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Intervention

Participants undergo a 4-session virtual health insurance navigation intervention to improve health insurance literacy and reduce financial burden

8 weeks

4 virtual sessions

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for improvements in health insurance literacy, financial toxicity, and surveillance care for recurrence

18 months

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• CHAT-S
• Usual Care

Trial Overview The study tests a virtual health insurance navigation program called CHAT-S against usual care. It aims to improve insurance knowledge, reduce financial stress and enhance monitoring for cancer recurrence in participants through four sessions.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: CHAT-S Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

CHAT-S consists of 4 bi-weekly 35-45 minute videoconferencing sessions with a patient navigator and a patient booklet on insurance, costs, and survivorship care.

Group II: Usual Care Placebo Group 1 Intervention

Usual care will consist of a resource list sent by the navigator.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Utah

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1,169

Recruited

1,623,000+

Intermountain Health

Collaborator

Trials

1

Recruited

300+

Massachusetts General Hospital

Collaborator

Trials

3,066

Recruited

13,430,000+

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12356505/

A randomized controlled trial of a health insurance literacy ... The purpose of the CHAT-S intervention trial is to determine the efficacy of a patient navigation intervention for improving health insurance ...

2. tandfonline.com tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/28322134.2025.2455706

CHAT-S study protocol: A randomized controlled trial of a ... The primary outcomes include improvement in health insurance literacy and financial toxicity at 6 months. Secondary outcomes include adherence to cancer ...

3. reporter.nih.gov reporter.nih.gov/search/ucGteTnbTUSP3e0EhIHEKw/project-details/11090472

Project Details We now propose a randomized controlled trial to test the efficacy of this program (“CHAT-S”) to improve health insurance literacy, financial toxicity due to ...

4. tandfonline.com tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/28322134.2025.2455706

A randomized controlled trial of a health insurance literacy ... The primary outcomes include improvement in health insurance literacy and financial toxicity at 6 months. Secondary outcomes include adherence to cancer ...

5. uofuhealth.utah.edu uofuhealth.utah.edu/huntsman/labs/kirchhoff/research

Kirchhoff Group Research This new study is to adapt our CHAT health insurance literacy program for caregivers of pediatric and adolescent cancer patients. This project is funded by the ...

6. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8768007/

Telerehabilitation's Safety, Feasibility, and Exercise Uptake ... Conclusions. Telerehabilitation is safe, feasible, and improved outcomes for cancer survivors. Learnings from this study may inform the ongoing ...

7. trialsjournal.biomedcentral.com trialsjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13063-022-06590-5

HIAYA CHAT study protocol: a randomized controlled trial of a ... This protocol illustrates a randomized controlled trial testing a virtual health insurance education intervention among AYA patients.

8. acsjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com acsjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/cncr.34556

Effect of an mHealth intervention on physical activity outcomes ... Young adult cancer survivors participating in a mobile health intervention did not significantly increase accelerometer-measured total ...