Receiving a cancer diagnosis can be the scariest moment of a person’s life. This article is part of a series that highlights how Nurse Navigators at the Dan L Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center at Baylor St. Luke’s Medical Center guide patients through their cancer journey.

For a newly diagnosed cancer patient, having to schedule multiple doctor appointments can be overwhelming. Especially today, when health insurance has become exceedingly complex. The maze of required authorizations, deductibles, and other paperwork can be too much.

Just ask Kelli Kosecki. She was diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma and in the early days of her diagnosis she learned of a burdensome insurance requirement - Kellie needed to secure a separate referral for every doctor she saw.  

Easier said than done. “I was lost, I didn't know what to do next,” Kelli recalled. “I didn't know which doctor I should try to get a referral for because I didn't know which doctor would be available.”

Kelli had been given the contact information for Cathie Brown, Oncology Nurse Navigator at the Dan L Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center (DLDCC) at Baylor St. Luke’s Medical Center. “I called Cathie and she answered right away - she was very reassuring. Once I explained the situation, she took over from there.”  

Cathie remains in contact with the Breast Oncology Clinic providers to ensure patients can be seen quickly and often works with primary care physicians to obtain insurance authorizations for the visits when necessary. 

“I can pull up all the doctors’ schedules on my computer and see who has availability,” Cathie explained. “For a patient who is just beginning their cancer journey, the ability to coordinate appointments and assist with insurance needs saves a lot of time and puts the patient at ease.”

Cathie is part of a team that includes three Nurse Navigators and a Navigation Coordinator assigned to walk cancer patients through their treatment at DLDCC, from start to finish. 

“I am so glad Baylor St. Luke’s has Nurse Navigators,” Kelli said. “I didn't have any clue what I was doing with any of this, and Cathie really helped me.”