In April, Steven was headed to the Berkshires for a vacation when he received the results from his colonoscopy—stage 3 colorectal cancer. “It was a shocking, nightmarish, body-numbing experience,” Steven said. “We turned the car around and headed back home to Rhode Island. Then we started getting people around me and figuring things out.”

Soon, Steven had a team of doctors helping him with his treatment—and additional support he hadn’t expected. “Not long after my diagnosis, I received a call about participating in a program included with my Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island plan,” said Steven. “I could talk with doctors 24/7 about my cancer treatment and even get visits from a nurse at home. I thought that sounded great, so I set up time for a nurse to come by the house.”

A first-of-its-kind program—at no extra cost

Steven was one of the first members to join the cancer care support program, which Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island (BCBSRI) launched in March 2025 in collaboration with Daymark Health.

The program was designed in partnership with local cancer institutes, and Daymark Health works closely with members’ doctors to support their care plan. Daymark Health’s personalized services include virtual and at-home care as well as access to clinicians and social workers anytime, day or night. The cancer care support program is available at no extra cost for BCBSRI members who qualify.

Dr. Angela Taber, the Medical Director at Daymark Health, is an oncologist who has practiced in Rhode Island for more than 20 years. “When a patient is in the cancer center, they have everything they need there. Those wonderful teams are so good at treating cancer,” she said. “But once patients go home, a lot of things come up. That’s where we fit in. We work with their PCP and their oncology team to make sure that they get the best care 24/7.”

Help at home and from home

Caroline, a nurse practitioner at Daymark Health, met with Steven at his house. “I was able to spend a good hour with Steven, answering questions, taking his vitals, and explaining what we could do to help him,” Caroline said.

Here’s a look at how the cancer care support program helped Steven and how it can help other members:

• Support around the clock
  BCBSRI members can call Daymark Health any time of the day or night to talk with a clinician, such as a nurse or doctor, or a social worker. “Your cancer doesn’t stop at five o'clock,” Steven said. “One night, I had a side effect from the chemo that was causing a lot of pain. Caroline jumped through hoops to get me the medication I needed and found a pharmacy that could fill it right away. I was so impressed. So, I kept calling whenever I had a question.”
• In-home and virtual care
  “If you’re not feeling well, we can come to your house, do a virtual visit, or help you make an appointment with your doctor,” Caroline said. “Often people feel too lousy to get in a car and go to a doctor’s office. Dr. Taber and I talked with Steven many times on the phone, and I also went to his house a few times.”
• Regular check-ins
  BCBSRI members also receive regular calls or texts from Daymark to check in on how they’re feeling. Steven said, “The people I talked with were very positive and kind. I could tell they had my chart in front of them and knew my situation. They were never in a hurry. It’s a big help when somebody takes their time with you.”
• Help with finding care close to home
  While Steven already had his cancer care team when he first met with Caroline, Daymark can help if someone needs help finding a doctor or cancer center. Dr. Taber said, “In 95% to 99% of cases, excellent care is available right here in Rhode Island. Traveling out of state can be really hard for someone who isn’t feeling well.”

With the help of his doctors and Daymark, Steven is now doing great. “I’m back to 98% of where I was before,” said Steven. “I’m so thankful for Caroline and Dr. Taber. I tell everyone about this program because it made such a difference in my life.”
“Blue Cross really cares about their members with cancer,” said Dr. Taber. “Through this program, they’re helping make sure their members have the support they need.”

If you or a loved one is a BCBSRI member who was recently diagnosed with cancer, please call the BCBSRI cancer care support program at (401) 203-3779 to learn more or enroll.