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An indirect measure of body fat based on a person’s height and weight, body mass index (BMI) can help predict future health programs — including high blood pressure, heart failure, sleep apnea, kidney disease and diabetes — as a result of excess body fat.

Maintaining a healthy weight can help lower the risk of developing illnesses, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, heart disease and other potentially life-threatening conditions.

Alexandra Argiroff, MD, bariatric surgeon at Summit Medical Group

One’s body mass index (BMI) can be used to categorize a person’s weight category. BMI is not 100% indicative of the body fatness or health of an individual, rather it is an indirect measure of body fat based on a person’s height and weight. And while it isn’t a perfect measurement, it can help predict future health problems as a result of excess body fat, explains Alexandra Argiroff, MD, a bariatric surgeon at Summit Medical Group.

BMI categories are as follows:

• under 18: underweight
• 18-24: normal
• 25-30: overweight
• 30-35: obese
• over 35: morbidly obese
• over 40: severe morbidly obese
• 50 – 60 super-morbidly obese

“By determining where individuals fall on the above scale, health care providers can start to risk-stratify patients for health problems they might face,” says Dr. Argiroff. “For example, obesity increases your risk of heart disease, lung disease, kidney problems and certain cancers, including breast cancer, colon cancer and ovarian cancer.” Through lifestyle interventions, such as adopting a healthier diet or embracing an exercise plan, those who fall into that category may be able to prevent potential illnesses. Talk to your health care provider about achieving a healthier weight.

As a bariatric surgeon, Dr. Argiroff sees patients in the morbidly obese category and beyond.

“Being morbidly obese increases your risk of new or worsening high blood pressure, heart failure, sleep apnea, kidney disease and kidney failure,” she said. “Diabetes is the biggest complication that we see and that attacks every organ in your body. The more overweight you are, the more stress that puts on your body, including your heart, your kidneys and your lungs.”

Arthritis is another ailment that often plagues the morbidly obese, as excess weight impacts the lower back as well as load-bearing joints such as the hips, knees, and ankles.

“For every 5 pounds you lose, that’s like 20 pounds of stress off your joints,” Dr. Argiroff said.

Considering Weight Loss Surgery

The bariatric surgeon also explained that while a healthy diet and exercise are essential for people with morbid obesity, they are usually effective in helping people lose between 10% and 15% of their body weight. And often, patients have difficulty keeping the weight off long term.

For patients with morbid or severe obesity, weight loss surgery may result in loss of up to 60% to 70% of that excess body fat, Dr. Argiroff explained. For example, if a patient needs to lose 100 pounds, he or she should be able to drop between 60 to 70 pounds following surgery, compared with just 10 to 15 pounds with diet and exercise alone. Additionally, 85% of patients who undergo weight loss surgery are successful in keeping that weight off long-term, which is defined as five years and beyond.

Bariatric surgery is very effective for weight loss in the morbidly obese Dr. Argiroff said. Gastric bypass surgery — one of the most common forms of weight loss surgery — is a procedure that reduces the size of the stomach and bypasses part of the small intestine, limiting the amount patients can eat. Additionally, this surgery promotes hormonal changes that may help improve insulin regulation and glucose metabolism, which affects diabetes.

Criteria for weight loss surgery include:

• Body mass index (BMI) > 40 kg/m² or BMI > 35 kg/m² with obesity-related disorders
• Age 18 to 70 years (patients who do not fit this age range can be considered individually)
• Desire to achieve a healthy weight and improve overall health
• Willingness to make significant, lifelong dietary, nutritional and lifestyle changes
• Understanding the limits, risks and permanent adjustments for weight-loss surgery
• Commitment to lifelong medical follow-up
• Qualifying for medical and behavioral evaluations to help ensure safety and success

Providing Holistic Support

Summit Medical Group offers a multidisciplinary team to support patients throughout their weight-loss journey. In addition to a team of bariatric surgeons, patients have access to dietitians and the behavioral health department. Additionally, patients have access to primary care services and complementary specialties, including cardiology, pulmonology and sleep medicine, and endocrinology.

“It takes a lot of work on the patient’s part and a lot of support from the bariatric department and the whole weight loss center,” Dr. Argiroff said, adding that weight loss surgery isn’t “a magic bullet.”

Patients need to be mindful of making healthy dietary choices and exercising. With the support of the bariatric department, patients meet with dietitians before and after surgery to make sure they’re on track and understand what they’re supposed to be eating.

Tips for Keeping Weight Off

Planning can be the key to maintaining weight loss. Often when people are hungry and unprepared, they tend to make an unhealthy choice or eat more than they would if they’d had a protein-rich snack.

“Meal prepping is really important,” Dr. Argiroff said, adding that something as simple as bringing lunch to work can make a big difference.

Waking up a few minutes early to pack a turkey sandwich, apple and side of vegetables, as well as healthy snacks, helps avoid becoming overly hungry and giving in to temptation at lunchtime, she said.

Exercising as much as physically possible also is a crucial part of maintaining weight loss. Dr. Argiroff recommended aiming for 30 minutes of vigorous exercise at least three to four times per week. For those who need to be gentle on their joints, she suggested pool aerobics or chair exercises involving weight lifting or resistance bands.

Many patients Dr. Argiroff sees tell her they wish they’d had weight-loss surgery sooner.

“Most people, from the first time they think about having it to when they first see a doctor, is on average two years,” she said. “I’ve never had a patient say, ‘I wish I had waited longer.’ Most of them say, ‘I know was nervous and I wasn’t ready, but I’m so glad I’m here now. Why didn’t I do this two years ago?’”

Patients also routinely tell her that they’ve tried a myriad of diets and lost weight but regained it, leaving them feeling like failures.

“What I tell them is, it’s not a failure,” she said. “Your metabolism after you’ve reached the point of morbid obesity doesn’t function the same as someone with normal weight,” she said. “Your health care provider can help set you up for success.”

For more information about BMI and weight loss surgery, visit Summit Medical Group’s website or call (908) 273-4300.

A firefighter rehabs from the demands of his job at JAG-ONE Physical Therapy’s facility in Warren, N.J.

Work is stressful enough, but it can be that much harder when your job involves physical labor — and all of the associated injuries that can come with it.

For instance:

• According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) account for more than 75% of all newly-reported occupational illnesses among construction workers.
• Based on recent research by the NIH, police officers and career firefighters had among the highest injury rates among all workers, with sprains and strains ranking as the leading injury among EMS, firefighter, police and other first responders.
• Recent data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics revealed that workers whose jobs involve repetitive motion are at particular risk of sprains, strains, tears, hernias and carpal tunnel syndrome; according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), 10% of all factory or assembly-line workers report work-related MSDs from repeated trauma each year.
• 2016 OSHA data revealed that musculoskeletal disorders involving the back accounted for nearly 40% of all work-related musculoskeletal disorders reported.

Perhaps no one is more familiar with the range of injuries sustained on different physically-demanding jobs than John Gallucci Jr., MS, ATC, PT, DPT and CEO of Woodbridge, N.J.-based JAG-ONE Physical Therapy.

“Without a doubt, people who use their body to do physical labor are at risk of sustaining injuries on the job,” Gallucci said. “In addition to causing employees physical pain, musculoskeletal injuries lead to lost money for workers as well as lost time/productivity and a potential rise in worker’s compensation expenses for employers.”

Certain injuries are more common to specific lines of work, Gallucci said. “For instance, knee compression injuries and conditions of the low back and forearm/elbow are more common among electricians, painters, sheet rockers, plumbers, carpenters, carpet/floor installers, and other contractors based on extensive kneeling and the repetitive use of wrenches, rollers, screwdrivers, etc.,” he said. “Firemen, EMTs and warehouse workers or delivery people often suffer from hamstring, quadricep, low back and other muscle strains from repetitively lifting or carrying heavy equipment, people, stretchers or boxes.”

He noted that policemen often struggle with the fallout of postural deviations. “Specifically, those who work in law enforcement often are in static positions for hours and then have to respond to immediate ‘explosive’ situations requiring them to run, apprehend and/or tackle someone,” he said of work conditions that can cause tremendous wear and tear to the body.

JAG-ONE’s Ergonomics Injury Prevention Education Program supports employees in staying healthy and injury-free.

Tips for the Trade

Gallucci offers the following tips for treating some of the most common work-related injuries incurred within labor-intensive trades and preventing them in the first place:

• Treat the Joints — “For contractors who sustain swelling and bruising under the kneecap and resultant inflammation of the joint, we bring integrity and motion back to the joint so that it works within the normal biomechanical limits and doesn’t lead to related back and hip conditions,” he said. After reducing inflammation, “we’ll use equipment like the bicycle and a variety of targeted strengthening exercises to restore range of motion.”
• Act Fast — Gallucci said that first responders who suffer such job-specific injuries as rotator cuff tears in the shoulder or herniation of one or more discs in the lower back may require surgical intervention. “These types of injuries aren’t about the injury per se, but are more about appropriate diagnosis and treatment,” he said, noting that physical therapists can help determine if an injury needs to be referred to another specialist. “It’s important to get the right intervention early, or you can lose range of motion in these areas.” For low back, hamstring and quad strains incurred on the job, “exercises like knee-to-chest, hamstring/quad/hip flexor stretches, and piriformis stretches can be helpful,” he said.
• Stretch and Flex — “When your body is one of the tools used on your job, much as with a professional athlete, it’s important to warm up before doing any type of continuous activity,” Gallucci said. “It’s about conditioning the body for the activity you have to do. After we get patients out of pain, we’ll teach them a warm-up routine to increase the elasticity of their muscles and prepare them for the demands of their job,” he said.
• Proper Positioning — Gallucci said that safe and proper movement is the key to good health and sustained functionality. “Many companies and organizations bring our JAG-ONE clinicians onsite to provide education on proper positioning and injury prevention to their employees,” he said. “Our Ergonomics Injury Prevention Education Program supports employees in staying healthy and injury-free and helps employers increase the safety and productivity of their workforce.”

Overall, “Physical therapy helps keep civil servants, first responders and all those who engage in physical labor healthy so that they can continue to protect and serve their communities,” Gallucci said. “We recommend that these workers exercise and stretch continuously and seek a biomechanical evaluation from a qualified physical therapist like those at JAG-ONE to ensure that they’re engaging in safe and proper movement.” By doing this, he confirmed, “it will enhance your longevity on the job and enable you to live your desired lifestyle.”

For More Information

JAG-ONE Physical Therapy is a comprehensive physical and occupational therapy company with 49 locations throughout Brooklyn, Staten Island, Queens, Westchester, Manhattan, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. The company’s multispecialty staff has been serving the tri-state area for more than 20 years and has developed a unique, care-first model of rehabilitation delivering high quality clinical outcomes for its patients. For more information, visit www.jagonept.com and visit on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

Exercising as a family instills the benefits of good health from a young age.

In today’s busy and fast-paced society, making your health and well-being a priority can be a challenge. “For most people, it’s a natural inclination to put others first, but it’s really important that we all take good care of ourselves so that we can be fully present and efficient in all of the aspects of our lives,” said Frank L. Urbano, MD, MBA FACP, senior medical director at Cranbury-based AmeriHealth New Jersey. “At AmeriHealth New Jersey, we are dedicated to ensuring the health and well-being of the people and communities we serve.”

Following, Dr. Urbano shares some top tips designed to help individuals maximize their health and well-being:

• 

  Dr. Frank L. Urbano, senior medical director, AmeriHealth New Jersey.

  Be More Active – “Though it can sometimes be hard to find time to exercise and not everyone enjoys the process of exercising, studies show that any kind of aerobic exercise — e.g., that which increases our heart rate — is beneficial to our health, even walking,” said Dr. Urbano, who noted that the activity doesn’t have to involve super-strenuous, sweat-inducing gym workouts to be effective. “A slight change in your routine can have a big impact, such as walking instead of driving when doing errands, parking farther away at the mall or supermarket to build in more steps, or taking the stairs instead of an elevator or escalator.”

• Optimize Your Diet – “Eating a healthy diet is critical to achieving greater wellness,” Dr. Urbano said. “This involves reducing your intake of foods high in saturated fats such as meat and cheese as well as reducing your intake of refined carbohydrates like sugar as well as refined wheat. It also involves increasing your consumption of whole grains, fruits and vegetables, and healthy monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats found in such foods as olive oil, fish and avocados.” Dr. Urbano said that it’s also important to read nutritional labels to truly understand what’s in the food you’re eating and to be able to better evaluate potentially misleading descriptors such as “all-natural” and “fat-free.” “Taking advantage of resources like nutritional counseling, which is covered under AmeriHealth New Jersey health plans, can help provide guidance for individuals who are unsure where to start,” he said.
• If You Smoke, It’s Not Too Late to Quit – Dr. Urbano urges New Jersey residents not to smoke, as smoking is the number one risk factor for cardiovascular disease, lung disease and multiple cancers. “It’s best if you never start in the first place,” he acknowledged, “but if you do smoke, it’s important to know that it’s never too late to stop, because lung function will improve over time.”
• Don’t Skip Screenings – Annual health screenings such as pap smears, mammograms, colonoscopies and others help provide valuable baseline measures of one’s health and can aid in all-important early detection of any health issues. “Screenings are age-specific and shouldn’t be considered optional,” Dr. Urbano said, noting that websites driven by The United States Preventive Services Task Force (www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org)  and the American Cancer Society (www.cancer.org) are excellent resources that detail the recommended minimum ages at which men and women should get various health screenings, the suggested frequency with which these screenings should be maintained and other valuable health information.
• Get a Primary Care Physician – According to Dr. Urbano, the value of having a primary care physician can’t be underestimated. “Having a primary care physician whom you trust develops a relationship, gives you someone to talk to regarding your health and can potentially lead to the detection of any health problems early on,” Dr. Urbano said. “A primary care physician can also help coordinate your care should you require additional medical support.”
  

  Annual health screenings such as a mammogram help save lives.

“No matter who you are or what your health goals may be, there are things we can all do to help contribute to our overall individual health and wellness,” Dr. Urbano said.

About AmeriHealth New Jersey

For 25 years AmeriHealth New Jersey* has been dedicated to enhancing the health and well-being of the people and communities it serves. AmeriHealth New Jersey members are at the center of everything the company does. Since the onset of the Affordable Care Act, AmeriHealth New Jersey has been committed to offering health plans on the Individual Marketplace, which has expanded access to coverage for New Jersey residents. AmeriHealth New Jersey is exclusively focused on New Jersey with plans designed to meet the unique needs of individuals, small- and mid-sized businesses, municipalities and boards of education across the state. The company also provides administrative services to self-funded groups. Named one of the Best Places to Work for the past eight years, and ranked 11^th in 2019, AmeriHealth New Jersey is located in Cranbury, N.J. For more information, visit amerihealthnj.com.

*AmeriHealth Insurance Company of New Jersey | AmeriHealth HMO Inc.

There are many options to consider when evaluating insurance plans that will best meet your and your family’s needs.

Lisa DiDio, director of Sales for AmeriHealth New Jersey, acknowledges how important health insurance costs can be to consumers when they’re evaluating different plans or insurance companies. “It’s natural for people to focus on price when considering their health insurance options, but that shouldn’t be the only thing you look at,” she contended. “It’s critical that they examine the value they’re getting for their dollars and many factors play into that decision.”

Lisa DiDio, director of sales for AmeriHealth New Jersey

According to DiDio, “Value is based not just on the premium price, but on other considerations such as the plan design, the network of doctors in the plan, the technology and tools made available, and the overall service provided by the insurance company.” Below she shares valuable advice on all of these factors, which are important considerations to evaluate when selecting the health plan that will best meet your and your family’s needs.

Evaluate the Big Picture – Even though a particular health plan’s monthly premium might appear more affordable, DiDio said that examining potential out-of-pocket expenses can pay off in the long run. “Evaluating the cost to buy versus the cost to use your health plan is key,” she said. “It’s important to understand factors like deductibles, co-pays, co-insurance and other out-of-pocket expenses before you purchase a health plan.”

Assess the Network – When it comes to providing access to physicians and hospitals, DiDio said that AmeriHealth New Jersey offers multiple network options to meet the needs of all New Jersey residents. “Over 85 percent of our consumer members purchase a health plan from our tiered AmeriHealth Advantage suite of products, which enables them to visit physicians in their area and have access to our broader Local Value network of physicians throughout the state,” she said. By contrast, AmeriHealth New Jersey’s Regional Preferred Network option offers access to providers in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Delaware. “Though this option has a higher premium, it provides the broadest access and can end up being the best value for the appropriate person or family,” DiDio said, reiterating that it behooves consumers to consider the type of network access they’ll likely need when evaluating between different health plans.

Tap into Technology & Tools – “Because the cost of health care can differ by provider, our Cost Care Estimator Tool helps address the cost of health care in a transparent way by helping consumers determine the ultimate price they’ll pay for services based on the actual plan design they selected,” DiDio said. “For example, if you need an MRI, the tool will identify different MRI centers in your area and show how much of your charge will go toward your deductible and what you’ll pay based on your specific health plan.” In addition, AmeriHealth New Jersey’s Subsidy Cost Estimator Tool can provide insight on the government subsidies a consumer may be eligible for that can be put toward their monthly premium. Eligibility for a premium subsidy is determined through the www.healthcare.gov website. “Eligible consumers can receive a portion to all of their health insurance premium subsidized and our tool, accessible at www.ahnj4u.com, can help consumers see the impact of tax credits on their bottom line,” DiDio said.

Another tool that’s been especially popular among AmeriHealth New Jersey members is Text2Renew. “Our members can literally renew their health plan by responding to a simple text,” DiDio said. “We also leverage texting to notify members that their ID card has been shipped, and we provide them access to a digital ID card.”

In addition, our ‘AmeriHealth Express portal allows consumers to self-service their health plan and perform everything from changing doctors to requesting a digital ID card, reviewing a claim, downloading our app and more right from their computer, tablet or smartphone without ever needing to make a phone call,” she said. “These are just a few examples of how we have used technology to significantly improve our communications with consumers over the past few years.”

Customer Service at the Ready – Along with the many user-friendly features and services provided by AmeriHealth New Jersey, DiDio noted that live representatives also are readily available to assist members. “Our call centers use state-of-the-art technology and analytics,” she said. “AmeriHealth New Jersey has been solely focused on New Jersey residents for more than 25 years and, while different competitors come and go, our roots are firmly planted here and we’re proud to serve everyone from individual consumers to groups, school boards and municipalities throughout the state,” DiDio said.

About AmeriHealth New Jersey

For 25 years AmeriHealth New Jersey* has been dedicated to enhancing the health and well-being of the people and communities it serves. AmeriHealth New Jersey members are at the center of everything the company does. Since the onset of the Affordable Care Act, AmeriHealth New Jersey has been committed to offering health plans on the Individual Marketplace, which has expanded access to coverage for New Jersey residents. AmeriHealth New Jersey is exclusively focused on New Jersey with plans designed to meet the unique needs of individuals, small- and mid-sized businesses, municipalities and boards of education across the state. The company also provides administrative services to self-funded groups. Named one of the Best Places to Work for the past eight years, and ranked 11^th in 2019, AmeriHealth New Jersey is located in Cranbury, N.J. For more information, visit amerihealthnj.com.

*AmeriHealth Insurance Company of New Jersey | AmeriHealth HMO Inc.

Telemedicine is among the services AmeriHealth New Jersey offers its members.

Like many people, your laptop and smart phone have a wealth of helpful resources that you often don’t use. But to maintain your good health, some things are worth checking out, including health coaching, telemedicine services, wellness programs and other health-enhancing services that are only an app or tap away.

AmeriHealth New Jersey plan members, for instance, receive specific information about its health care plan — and the best ways to use its many benefits, said Veronica Diaz, manager of sales enablement. Members can learn about the benefits of staying in network, selecting a primary care physician to help manage their health care, information about needing a referral and more.

Veronica Diaz, manager of sales enablement, AmeriHealth New Jersey

AmeriHealth New Jersey has been insuring residents for more than 25 years “and over time, we’ve definitely evolved,” Diaz said. “Just a couple of years ago, we were only reaching out to members upon renewal or through monthly invoices.” But the advent of the Affordable Care Act “served as a tipping point in terms of how to engage with our members,” she said, “and we are now doing things we are really proud of. More than 70% of our consumer members are digitally engaged in their health care plan.”

In the past, navigating health care was typically “very complex, so we’ve tried to simplify the experience for our members,” Diaz said. “We are all about making it faster and easier to access information. Our Care Cost Estimator Tool, for example, is designed to provide more transparency, and we try to give consumers the tools they need to make informed decisions.”

To ensure privacy, members must opt-in to receive such services via text messages or emails — or both, she said. Reminders are especially important during open enrollment season at the end of each year, “so members know to be on the lookout for their renewal and see if they need to make any health plan changes.”

Some online or smartphone benefits offered by AmeriHealth New Jersey include:

Targeted Health Reminders: AmeriHealth New Jersey will email or text occasional information “about anything specific to a member’s health care needs, like when they are due for a mammography, preventive colonoscopy or other preventive care such as annual flu shots. We give reminders and tips, and we take pride in that,” Diaz said. For instance, women who fall within a certain age and demographic range could receive information via text or email about the importance of getting a mammogram, she said.

Renewals: AmeriHealth New Jersey provides a personalized URL link — unique to each member — that allows members to review renewal information online. Members can “text us right through their phone if they are happy with their current health plan and the proposed rates for the coming year,” Diaz said. The Text2Renew process “has picked up traction in the last couple of years.”

Care Cost Estimator: “With high-deductible health plans becoming so popular, folks are exposed to unknown costs when they visit providers,” Diaz said. AmeriHealth New Jersey recently introduced an online option that gives its members “the ability to search for the service they are receiving, and the estimated cost based on their health plan — and also an estimate for all the doctors within the region.” Members can also view the out-of-pocket cost differences between having a health procedure at a hospital versus an outpatient facility, she said.

Provider Finder: This user-friendly feature lets members find participating doctors by searching for a doctor’s name, a symptom or their location.

Language Translation: Spanish-speaking members need only click on the “Español” button on top of the main page to convert a subset of AmeriHealth New Jersey’s website to Spanish, Diaz said.

Many of AmeriHealth New Jersey’s online services were created “based on data analytics. We look at why people are calling customer service, and how we can help them,” Diaz said. For instance, many new members call to find out when they will receive their identification cards. If a customer chooses to “digitally engage” with AmeriHealth New Jersey’s app, they have instant access to a digital copy of the ID card and will receive a notification when the actual card is expected to arrive.

About AmeriHealth New Jersey

For 25 years AmeriHealth New Jersey* has been dedicated to enhancing the health and well-being of the people and communities it serves. Its members are at the center of everything AmeriHealth New Jersey does. Since the onset of the Affordable Care Act, it has been committed to offering health plans on the Individual Marketplace, which has expanded access to coverage for New Jersey residents. It is exclusively focused on New Jersey with plans designed to meet the unique needs of individuals, small- and mid-sized businesses, municipalities and boards of education across the state. It also provides administrative services to self-funded groups. Named one of the Best Places to Work for the past eight years, and ranked 11th in 2019, AmeriHealth New Jersey is in Cranbury. For more information visit amerihealthnj.com.

*AmeriHealth Insurance Company of New Jersey | AmeriHealth HMO Inc.

Oncology nurse practitioners Amita Patel, left, and Rachel Carroll traveled to Washington D.C. as part of Oncology Nursing Society’s 4th annual Capitol Hill Day, educating lawmakers and becoming a part of the national health care conversation.

Each day, oncology nurse practitioners Rachel Carroll and Amita Patel advocate on behalf of their patients, helping ensure people suffering from cancer get the care and support they need.

Recently, the two nurses, who work at Regional Cancer Care Associates (RCCA), Central Jersey Division, took their advocacy to a higher level — the federal government.

Carroll and Patel traveled to Washington, D.C. as part of the Oncology Nursing Society’s 4th annual Capitol Hill Day, held in September. Oncology nurse practitioners from across the country gathered in the nation’s capital to educate lawmakers and become part of the national health care conversation, with the goal of making a real difference in the lives of millions of patients.

“Along with our clinical work, we are also active in the North/Central Jersey Chapter of the Oncology Nursing Society,’’ said Patel, MSN, APN, AOCNP. “We are both on the board. I’m past president and Rachel is the nominating chairperson for that chapter. Every year, ONS organizes this event and this year we were both accepted to go.’’

The chapter includes more than 400 members who gather monthly to explore the latest developments in cancer care and to learn from each other, the two nurses explained.

After spending a day learning about the proposed legislation and the ins and outs of advocating for public policy change, the two met with staff members for U.S. Sens. Cory Booker and Robert Menendez, as well as staffers in the offices of several members of the New Jersey delegation to the U.S. House of Representatives.

They educated the policymakers’ staff on four bills.

One was the Palliative Care and Hospice Education and Training Act, which would provide funding to open centers to train nurses and other medical professionals in palliative care and to educate patients about this important service, explained Carroll, MSN, APN, AOCNP.

Palliative care is focused on symptom management for patients undergoing long-term treatments or who are managing chronic disease, Carroll said.

“A lot of people don’t know what palliative care is,’’ Patel added. “They just think hospice.’’

Another measure, the Cancer Drug Parity Act, would require insurance coverage for oral cancer treatments to be on par with coverage provided for intravenous treatments.

“A lot of new advances in oncology involve oral medication,’’ Carroll explained. “They tend to have fewer side effects. They also give patients more independence in treatment. But right now, there are very high co-pays and deductibles for oral medication. A lot of patients have trouble accessing those drugs. Cost should not to be an issue in treatment.’’

A third bill — the Lymphedema Treatment Act — would improve insurance coverage for needed supplies for patients suffering from this disease, which is a chronic condition affecting millions of Americans. It is most often caused by cancer treatments that damage the body’s lymph system or immune functions.

These “compression” supplies to treat the disease are currently not covered by Medicare.

And last, the two advocated for the Preventing Opportunities for Teen E-Cigarette and Tobacco Addiction (PROTECT), which is aimed at preventing the use of tobacco-related products among teens, especially in light of dramatic increases in young people “vaping.’’

“We advocate for our patients every day at work,’’ Carroll said. “To do that on a larger scale and know we can be a voice for our patients in the broader health care system was very exciting.’’

Patel added that having support from RCCA’s leadership team is also empowering.

“They support us to advocate in our daily work and they supported us to do that on a larger scale,’’ she said.

Both said they were well-received and were able to educate staff on the impact these measures would have on patients throughout New Jersey.

“It was nice to offer them a real view into what these patients are actually going through and to be able to advocate for them in that way,’’ Carroll said.

“It was a great experience,’’ Patel added. “The bills were really geared toward addressing the difficulties our patients face every day. I’m hopeful that we will see real change at the federal level.’’

With more than 30 local offices in New Jersey, Maryland and Connecticut, RCCA is one of the largest oncology networks in the country. RCCA offers the most advanced treatments, including breakthroughs like immunotherapy and targeted therapy. With a staff of highly trained, capable and experienced oncologists and other medical professionals, RCCA provides the highest-quality care, focused on the individual needs of each patient.

For more information, visit www.RCCA.com.