Money Matters: Help is There to Prevent Financial Toxicity
Navigating insurance and finding help for medical bills are crucial needs of patients and caregivers. Join us to learn how to be your own self-advocate, insurance basics, costs of medication and in clinical trials, and opportunities to find assistance with hospitals, pharmaceutical companies, nonprofits, and more.
Moderator:
Brian Koffman, MDCM, DCFP, FCFP, DABFP, MSEd
Executive Vice President and Chief Medical Officer
CLL Society
Speakers:
Karli Bergheer, MBA
Oncology Financial Counselor
OHSU Knight Cancer Institute
Raised on the California Coast, Karli’s love for navigation comes from a lifelong relationship with the ocean. She has completed 3 extensive Oncology Navigation Certificate Programs and worked as the sole professional oncology navigator at a rural community hospital in Hawaii prior to moving to Portland, OR 3 ½ years ago. Working at OHSU’s Knight Cancer Institute as an Oncology Financial Counselor represents a victory of mind-over-matter because of a previous total disinterest in all things insurance. A firm believer that knowledge is power and the best way to orient oneself to whatever journey lies ahead, her greatest joy is sharing knowledge to help those touched by cancer successfully navigate the labyrinth of cancer care.
Megan Karam
Oncology Financial Counselor
OHSU Knight Cancer Institute
Megan Karam is a Financial Counselor for the Knight Cancer Institute at OHSU in Portland, OR. Prior to moving to Oregon, Megan worked for several hospitals on the east coast (UNC Healthcare, LSU, Baptist Health System, etc.) advocating for patients and assisting with Affordable Care Act implementations. She has also worked for both the Department of Human Services and the Social Security Administration. Megan believes that during treatment the relief of stress tied to financial toxicity is critical to a patient’s healing and recovery. She’s a strong advocate for her patient population at OHSU, and connects them to any available resource. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling, running, and hiking with her family in the PNW.
