Advanced Illness Coordinated Care (AICC) Program
What is the Advanced Illness Coordinated Care (AICC) program?
- Intensive, time-limited Outpatient Counseling and Care Coordination for members living with advanced cancer. Care is provided in the Oncology Clinic by a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, who partners with the medical team to address psychosocial and spiritual aspects of care.
What are the goals for the Advanced Illness Care Coordination program?
- To provide support to members and families as they manage the consequences of living with serious chronic illness.
- To enhance communication between patient, family and health care providers.
- To empower patients in interacting with the health system at Kaiser.
- To improve care planning through the provision of resources, services, and options for future care.
How will the member benefit?
- Enhancement of personal control and self-efficacy in the management of advanced illness.
- Assistance with advance care planning which is in line with personal values.
- Facilitation of communication/understanding among patients, families, and providers about end-of-life issues that are often avoided.
- Support for high quality symptom management.
- Coodination and advocacy for services including hospice when indicated.
How is the AICC program different from other Hospice or Palliative Care Programs?
- The intervention takes place in the clinic rather than hospital or home.
- Does not require members to change or transfer their benefits.
- Average life expectancy for AICC participants is 12-18 months.
- AICC is a social intervention, not a medical intervention.
June Cichowicz, LCSW
Kaiser Permanente Santa Clara
Medical Oncology
Department #440, room M4883
