Medibank Launches Cancer Coaching Program to Provide Personalized Support Throughout Treatment and Recovery
Medibank has introduced a new Cancer Coaching program in partnership with Osara Health to provide personalized virtual support to eligible customers navigating cancer diagnosis, treatment and recovery. The initiative aims to address the physical, emotional and practical challenges associated with cancer, offering patients additional guidance alongside the medical care provided by their treating doctors and healthcare teams.
The program expands Medibank’s efforts to support customers beyond traditional clinical services by connecting them with trained health coaches, individualized care plans, educational resources and digital tools for tracking symptoms. Through this approach, eligible customers can receive practical assistance with everyday challenges that may arise during cancer treatment, including fatigue, sleep difficulties, nutrition, physical activity and mental well-being.
Cancer can affect nearly every aspect of a person’s life, from daily routines and family responsibilities to employment, finances and emotional health. While medical professionals focus on diagnosis and treatment, patients may also need help understanding their care journey, managing treatment-related symptoms and making adjustments to their everyday lives.
Medibank’s new program is designed to help address these needs through structured coaching and accessible digital resources. Eligible participants can access the service at no additional cost, providing another source of support during a period that can be particularly challenging for patients and their families.
The initiative also reflects the growing role of virtual healthcare services in helping people access personalized support regardless of where they live. By partnering with Osara Health, Medibank aims to make cancer coaching available to more Australians who meet the program’s eligibility requirements.
Medibank Expands Support Beyond Clinical Cancer Treatment
A cancer diagnosis can bring significant uncertainty for patients and their families. Individuals may need to make decisions about treatment, attend frequent medical appointments and manage symptoms while continuing to navigate work, household responsibilities and relationships.
Although clinical treatment remains central to cancer care, patients’ needs often extend beyond medical procedures and consultations. They may have questions about maintaining a balanced diet, managing fatigue, staying physically active within their abilities, improving sleep or coping with emotional stress.
Medibank’s Cancer Coaching program is intended to help eligible customers address these practical concerns through personalized guidance and evidence-based educational resources.
Milosh Milisavljevic, Medibank’s chief customer officer, said a cancer diagnosis can be overwhelming and that many people need support extending beyond the clinical aspects of their treatment.
According to Milisavljevic, the partnership with Osara Health is designed to provide customers with personalized support, practical tools and information that can help them feel more informed and confident throughout treatment and recovery.
He emphasized that every person’s cancer journey is different and that the challenges individuals face can vary considerably depending on their circumstances and treatment needs.
The program complements the care provided by doctors and other healthcare professionals. It is not intended to replace medical treatment, clinical advice or psychological care. Instead, it adds another layer of assistance focused on helping customers manage day-to-day challenges and navigate their cancer journey.
This distinction is important because cancer treatment plans must be determined by qualified healthcare professionals according to each patient’s diagnosis and medical circumstances. Health coaching can provide additional support, but treatment decisions and the management of serious or changing symptoms remain matters for the patient’s clinical team.
Partnership With Osara Health Brings Personalized Cancer Coaching
The program is being delivered in partnership with Osara Health, a healthcare organization focused on supporting people affected by cancer through coaching, education and digital resources.
The collaboration combines Medibank’s customer network with Osara Health’s approach to supportive cancer care. Its objective is to help eligible Australians access practical guidance while continuing to receive treatment from their existing healthcare providers.
Raghav Murali Ganesh, co-founder and chief executive officer of Osara Health, welcomed the partnership, highlighting the opportunity to provide more people with support that considers their overall well-being alongside medical treatment.
Murali Ganesh said the collaboration reflects a shared vision for cancer support and creates an opportunity to reach more Australians living with a cancer diagnosis.
He also highlighted the importance of making supportive services accessible regardless of a person’s location.
Access to specialized healthcare services can vary across Australia, particularly for people living outside major metropolitan areas. Travel distances, appointment availability and other practical challenges may make it more difficult for patients to obtain additional support while undergoing treatment.
Virtual coaching can help address some of these barriers by allowing eligible participants to communicate with health coaches remotely. Customers can connect with their coach through phone, SMS or email, reducing the need to travel for coaching appointments.
The digital delivery model also allows participants to access educational materials and ongoing resources through the Osara Health app.
Although virtual services cannot eliminate every barrier to cancer care, they can provide an additional way for patients to receive practical guidance and maintain contact with a support professional during treatment.
Eligibility and Access to the Program
Medibank’s Cancer Coaching program is available to eligible customers who have resident hospital cover and meet the program’s cancer-related eligibility requirements.
According to the program announcement, eligible participants include customers who are undergoing cancer treatment or who have received a cancer diagnosis within the previous three months.
The service is available at no additional cost to eligible customers, allowing them to access the coaching program without a separate program fee.
Eligibility is subject to the program’s terms and requirements, so customers should confirm their coverage and participation options directly with Medibank.
The program is intended to provide support during a period when patients may be adjusting to a diagnosis, preparing for treatment, managing side effects or considering the practical changes that cancer can bring to daily life.
For someone newly diagnosed with cancer, the initial weeks can involve a large amount of unfamiliar information and a series of important medical appointments. Having access to a coach may help the person identify practical questions, organize personal goals and understand the supportive resources available to them.
For customers already undergoing treatment, coaching may offer additional assistance with everyday routines and symptom-related challenges.
The service is personalized rather than designed around a single standard experience. Participants can work with their coach to identify priorities that reflect their individual needs, circumstances and goals.
What Participants Receive Through Cancer Coaching
The program includes several components intended to provide structured support throughout the coaching period.
1. Personalized one-on-one virtual coaching
Eligible customers receive three individual virtual coaching sessions over a period of six to 12 weeks. These sessions provide opportunities to discuss personal concerns, establish goals and receive guidance tailored to the participant’s circumstances.
Individual coaching allows the conversation to focus on the challenges that matter most to each person rather than relying exclusively on general educational material.
2. Support from a dedicated health coach
Participants receive support from a dedicated health coach throughout the program. The coach can help customers navigate practical issues associated with treatment and identify appropriate resources for their needs.
Customers can communicate with their coach by phone, SMS or email, providing different options for maintaining contact during the program.
The coaching relationship is intended to complement the patient’s clinical care team, not replace it. Medical concerns, treatment changes and symptoms requiring clinical assessment should continue to be discussed with the appropriate healthcare professionals.
3. An individualized care plan
Each participant receives a personalized care plan based on individual goals and needs.
Cancer can affect people differently, and the practical challenges experienced during treatment may depend on the type of cancer, treatment approach, existing health conditions and personal circumstances.
A personalized plan can help participants identify areas they want to focus on and organize practical steps to support their overall well-being.
4. Weekly digital education modules
The program provides weekly digital education modules covering topics such as nutrition, exercise, sleep and symptom management.
These resources are designed to help participants understand everyday aspects of cancer care and explore practical strategies relevant to their circumstances.
For example, fatigue may affect a person’s ability to work, exercise or complete household tasks. Educational resources can help participants consider ways to manage daily routines while discussing persistent or concerning symptoms with their clinical team.
Similarly, nutrition and physical activity may need to be adapted during treatment. Guidance should be consistent with the patient’s medical advice and individual abilities rather than following a generalized approach.
5. Access to the Osara Health app
Participants can use the Osara Health app to access educational resources, track symptoms and obtain practical support.
Digital symptom tracking can help people record changes over time and organize information about their experiences during treatment.
When appropriate, this information may also help patients prepare for conversations with their healthcare teams. However, app-based tracking should not be treated as a substitute for clinical monitoring or urgent medical assessment.
The announcement also states that participants can continue accessing resources through the app after completing the coaching program, providing an ongoing reference point beyond the formal sessions.
6. Care coordination and planning
The program includes care coordination and planning informed by individual treatment needs.
Cancer care can involve multiple healthcare professionals, appointments and support services. Keeping track of these responsibilities may become difficult when patients are also dealing with fatigue, emotional stress or treatment side effects.
Personalized planning can help participants identify priorities and consider how to manage practical responsibilities during treatment.
The exact support available will depend on the program’s scope and the participant’s circumstances. Clinical decisions remain with the treating healthcare team.
Addressing the Physical and Emotional Challenges of Cancer
The impact of cancer is not limited to the disease itself. Patients may experience changes in energy levels, sleep patterns, appetite, physical activity and emotional well-being.
Some people may find it difficult to maintain their usual routines while attending appointments and recovering from treatment. Others may feel overwhelmed by the amount of information they receive or uncertain about how to discuss their concerns with healthcare professionals.
Supportive services can help patients identify these challenges and consider practical ways to manage them.
Nutrition and everyday well-being
Nutrition can become an important concern during cancer treatment. Changes in appetite, nausea, taste and energy levels may affect a person’s ability to eat as usual.
Educational resources can help patients understand general nutrition considerations and prepare questions for their healthcare professionals. Individual dietary needs, however, may vary considerably, and patients should follow medical advice relevant to their treatment and condition.
Sleep and fatigue management
Sleep difficulties and fatigue can interfere with daily activities and reduce a person’s ability to maintain established routines.
Coaching may help participants identify practical priorities, organize activities and explore general strategies for managing their time and energy.
Persistent, severe or worsening fatigue should be discussed with the treating clinical team because it can have several causes that may require medical assessment.
Exercise and physical activity
Physical activity needs during cancer treatment differ from person to person. Some patients may be able to maintain certain activities, while others may need to adjust their routines according to symptoms and treatment effects.
The program’s educational resources cover exercise as one aspect of overall well-being. Any changes to physical activity should be appropriate to the individual’s condition and consistent with advice from their healthcare professionals.
Emotional well-being
A cancer diagnosis can create uncertainty for patients and their families. People may experience stress related to treatment, recovery, family responsibilities and concerns about the future.
Having a structured opportunity to discuss practical concerns and identify supportive resources may help participants feel better prepared to navigate their care journey.
Nevertheless, health coaching is not a substitute for professional psychological care. Patients experiencing significant emotional distress should seek appropriate support from qualified healthcare professionals.
The Growing Role of Virtual Support in Cancer Care
Medibank’s partnership with Osara Health reflects a broader interest in expanding access to supportive healthcare through digital services.
Virtual care models can offer flexibility to people who may find it difficult to attend additional in-person appointments during treatment. They can also help organizations provide structured support to eligible customers across geographically dispersed communities.
For patients, the combination of individual coaching, digital education and symptom tracking can create a more organized way to manage practical concerns between clinical appointments.
The approach also recognizes that cancer care involves more than the delivery of treatment. Patients may benefit from assistance understanding information, setting realistic goals and managing the changes that treatment introduces into everyday life.
However, digital services work best when they are integrated appropriately with established healthcare arrangements. Patients must still have access to their treating clinicians and know when symptoms or concerns require direct medical attention.
Medibank’s program is positioned as an additional support service within that broader care environment.
Strengthening Member Support Throughout the Cancer Journey
The launch of the Cancer Coaching program represents another step in Medibank’s efforts to provide eligible customers with support tailored to their healthcare needs.
Through its collaboration with Osara Health, the insurer is offering a combination of virtual coaching, personalized care planning, digital education and symptom tracking for eligible customers undergoing cancer treatment or recently diagnosed with cancer.
The program’s three individual coaching sessions, delivered over six to 12 weeks, are intended to help participants address practical challenges and develop strategies that fit their individual circumstances. Access to the app and its educational resources also provides a continuing source of information after the formal coaching period.
For Osara Health, the partnership offers an opportunity to extend its supportive cancer care approach to more Australians. For Medibank, it expands the range of resources available to eligible members navigating a complex and often life-changing experience.
The initiative does not replace medical treatment or professional psychological care. Instead, it is designed to complement those services by helping patients manage day-to-day concerns and access additional guidance throughout treatment and recovery.
Ultimately, Medibank and Osara Health aim to make supportive cancer care more accessible and personalized. By recognizing the physical, emotional and practical dimensions of a cancer diagnosis, the program seeks to help eligible customers feel more informed, better supported and more confident as they navigate their individual cancer journeys.
Source link: https://www.medibank.com.au/
