How to Triage Health

Hosts: 

Michaela Tobin, Outreach Coordinator, Triage Cancer

Monica Fawzy Bryant, Esq., Chief Mission Officer, Triage Cancer

In this episode

Health insurance open enrollment is a critical time to make sure your coverage still meets your needs—but the process can be confusing. In this episode of How to Triage Health, host Michaela Tobin talks with Triage Cancer’s Chief Mission Officer, Monica Bryant, Esq., about how to navigate open enrollment like a pro.

They break down the differences between marketplace plans, employer coverage, and Medicare options. You’ll learn how to evaluate costs beyond just the monthly premium, what to look for in provider networks and drug formularies, and how to use available tools to compare plans side by side. Monica also explains what prior authorization really means, when special enrollment periods apply, and why timing matters for making changes after big life events.

Featured Resources Mentioned

• Triage Health Insurance Resources

• Health Insurance Comparison Worksheet & Calculator

• Quick Guide to Health Insurance Marketplaces

• Checklist: Marketplace Open Enrollment

• Webinar: Close the Knowledge Gap: Key Tips for Open Enrollment

Connect with Triage Cancer & Triage Health:

Website:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠TriageCancer.org⁠⁠ |⁠ ⁠⁠⁠TriageHealth.org⁠⁠

Social:

• Instagram:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠@triagecancer⁠⁠ |⁠ ⁠⁠⁠@triage_health⁠⁠

• Facebook:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Triage Cancer⁠⁠ |⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Triage_Health⁠⁠

• LinkedIn:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Triage Cancer⁠⁠ |⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Triage Health⁠⁠

Bluesky:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠@triagecancer.org⁠⁠ |⁠ ⁠⁠⁠@triagehealth.org⁠

In this episode:

Turning 18, moving, changing jobs, or going through open enrollment are all life transitions that can significantly impact your insurance, legal, and financial well-being. In this episode of How to Triage Health, host Michaela Tobin is joined by Triage Cancer’s Chief Mission Officer, Monica Bryant, Esq., to unpack the essentials you need to know to plan ahead and protect yourself and your family.

From legal documents for young adults to guardianship decisions for parents, COBRA versus marketplace coverage after a job change, and what to look for during open enrollment, this episode provides practical guidance for navigating big life changes.

Featured Resources Mentioned:

●      Triage Cancer Resources by Topic

●      Triage Health Resources by Topic

●      CancerFinances.org Financial Assistance Tool

●      Webinar: What to Do When An Insurance Company Says “No”

●      Health Insurance Comparison Worksheet & Calculator

●      Clinical Trials Resources

●      AnimatedVideo: How to Find & Pay for Clinical Trials

●      Blog: Getting Dental Care Covered After a Cancer Diagnosis: What You Need to Know

Connect with Triage Cancer & Triage Health:

Website:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠TriageCancer.org⁠⁠ |⁠ ⁠⁠⁠TriageHealth.org⁠⁠

Social:

• Instagram:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠@triagecancer⁠⁠ |⁠ ⁠⁠⁠@triage_health⁠⁠
• Facebook:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Triage Cancer⁠⁠ |⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Triage_Health⁠⁠
• LinkedIn:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Triage Cancer⁠⁠ |⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Triage Health⁠⁠
• Bluesky:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠@triagecancer.org⁠⁠ |⁠ ⁠⁠⁠@triagehealth.org⁠

Host: Michaela Tobin, Outreach Coordinator, Triage CancerGuests:

• Monica Fawzy Bryant, Esq., Chief Mission Officer, Triage Cancer
• Amanda Goodstadt, Esq., Senior Staff Attorney, Triage Cancer

In this episode:

Medicare can feel complicated, but understanding the basics is essential for making the best decisions about your health care. In this episode of How to Triage Health, host Michaela Tobin sits down with Triage Cancer’s Monica Bryant, Esq., and Amanda Goodstadt, Esq., to bust common myths, highlight frequent mistakes, and share the must-know details about Medicare. With open enrollment right around the corner, this episode will help you feel more confident navigating your options.

Featured Resources Mentioned:

• Medicare Part 1 Webinar Registration
• Medicare Part 2 Webinar Registration
• Triage Cancer Past Webinars
• Appealing a Health Insurance Denial
• Triage Health Quick Guide to Medicare
• Triage Health Quick Guide to Medicare Savings Programs
• Quick Guide to Getting & Paying for Prescription Drugs
• Medicare Plan Comparison Worksheet and Calculator

Connect with Triage Cancer & Triage Health:

Website:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠TriageCancer.org⁠⁠ |⁠ ⁠⁠⁠TriageHealth.org⁠⁠

Social:

Instagram:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠@triagecancer⁠⁠ |⁠ ⁠⁠⁠@triage_health⁠⁠

Facebook:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Triage Cancer⁠⁠ |⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Triage_Health⁠⁠

LinkedIn:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Triage Cancer⁠⁠ |⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Triage Health⁠⁠

Bluesky:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠@triagecancer.org⁠⁠ |⁠ ⁠⁠⁠@triagehealth.org⁠

Host: Michaela Tobin, Triage Cancer Outreach CoordinatorGuests:

• Monica Fawzy Bryant, Esq., Chief Mission Officer, Triage Cancer
• Joyce Dillon Reinecke, JD, Executive Director, Alliance for Fertility Preservation

In this episode:

A cancer diagnosis often means making decisions quickly, and one critical but sometimes overlooked area is fertility preservation. Cancer treatment can impact fertility—but planning ahead can keep doors open. Michaela, Monica, and Joyce break down what fertility preservation is, why timing matters, how to talk with your care team, what it can cost, where coverage stands today, and how to appeal an insurance denial. You’ll leave with practical steps, credible resources, and a dose of advocacy: don’t take no for an answer.

Featured Resources Mentioned:

• Alliance for Fertility Preservation Summit
• Building Pathways to Fertility Preservation in Cancer ECHO
• What to Do When an Insurance Company Says “No” Webinar
• Quick Guide to Appeals for Employer-Sponsored & Individual Health Insurance
• Quick Guide to Fertility Preservation
• Health Insurance State Laws: Fertility Services

Connect with Joyce Reinecke, J.D., Executive Director Alliance for Fertility Preservation:

Email: [email protected]

Website:⁠allianceforfertilitypreservation.org/

Social:

• LinkedIn: Joyce (Dillon) Reinecke

Connect with Triage Cancer &Triage Health:

Website:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠TriageCancer.org⁠⁠ |⁠ ⁠⁠⁠TriageHealth.org⁠⁠

Social:

• Instagram:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠@triagecancer⁠⁠ |⁠ ⁠⁠⁠@triage_health⁠⁠
• Facebook:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Triage Cancer⁠⁠ |⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Triage_Health⁠⁠
• LinkedIn:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Triage Cancer⁠⁠ |⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Triage Health⁠⁠
• Bluesky:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠@triagecancer.org⁠⁠ |⁠ ⁠⁠⁠@triagehealth.org⁠

In this episode:

Uncertainty is something we all face, but for individuals living with serious health conditions, and their caregivers, it can feel overwhelming. In this episode, host Michaela Tobin is joined by Monica Bryant and special guest Julie Larson, LCSW, to explore practical ways to find calm, stay grounded, and build resilience in the midst of change.

Julie brings years of experience as a licensed clinical social worker supporting individuals with serious illnesses. Together, the conversation unpacks why uncertainty feels so heavy, what it does to our mental and emotional wellbeing, and how to create practices that foster stability even when the world feels out of control.

Got a question for the podcast? Email us at ⁠[email protected]⁠!

Key Themes

Finding Calm in Uncertainty

• Julie Larson emphasized that the goal is not to “find answers” but to find calm.
• Calm allows for clearer thinking, stronger connections, and better collaboration.

Coping Strategies

• Recognize stress responses (fight, flight, freeze).
• Practice present moment awareness and self-check-ins (“How am I doing?”).
• Use grounding “entrance ramps”:

• Thoughts: Challenge unhelpful narratives, ask if you’re a reliable narrator.
• Emotions: Identify what your feelings are telling you (e.g., need for comfort or connection).
• Body: Move, breathe, hydrate, or step away when stress shows physically.

Professional Well-Being

• Compassion fatigue and burnout are common, especially when staff deliver hard news.
• Strategies include:
• Setting boundaries between your emotions and the caller’s emotions.
• Debriefing and restoring balance after difficult calls.
• Giving yourself credit for trying, showing up, and staying steady for others.

Workplace & Team Tools

• Triage Cancer’s legal team uses “throw spaghetti at the wall” brainstorming to problem-solve when no clear answer exists—this can also be applied to coping with uncertainty.
• Weekly positive navigation stories during staff meetings help “install the good” and remind staff of the impact they’re making.

Balancing Information Intake

• Staying informed is important, but too much news can increase anxiety.
• Teams should watch for the tipping point between helpful venting and ruminating.

Advocacy as Coping

• Advocacy can be empowering when it helps people feel they’re contributing to change.
• But if it leads to constant agitation, balance and self-awareness are key.

Practical Tools to Share

The “Board Meeting in Your Brain” Metaphor

• Each emotion (fear, worry, anger) is a “board member” with a purpose.
• You are the chairperson—you decide when to acknowledge and when to move forward.

Installing the Good

• Balance hardship by intentionally naming what’s working and what’s positive.
• Helps restore perspective and resilience.

Featured Resources Mentioned

• Quick Guide to Accessing Mental Health Care
• Quick Guide to Stress Management
• Stress: What is it and what to do about it

Connect with Julie Larson:

Website: JulieLarsonlcsw.com/

Social:

• Instagram: @jlarsonlcsw

• LinkedIn: Julie Larson, LCSW

Connect with Triage Cancer &Triage Health:

Website: ⁠TriageCancer.org⁠ | ⁠TriageHealth.org⁠

Social:

• Instagram: ⁠@triagecancer⁠ | ⁠@triage_health⁠
• Facebook: ⁠Triage Cancer⁠ | ⁠Triage_Health⁠
• LinkedIn: ⁠Triage Cancer⁠ | ⁠Triage Health⁠
• Bluesky: ⁠@triagecancer.org⁠ | ⁠@triagehealth.org⁠

In this episode:

In this timely and important episode of How to Triage Health, host Michaela Tobin and Chief Mission Officer Monica Bryant debrief on the record-breaking turnout for Triage Cancer’s recent webinar on the newly passed Budget Reconciliation Act (often referred to as the “Big Bill”) and announce a second webinar to meet the overwhelming demand.

They dive deeper into the bill's key health care-related provisions, discuss court rulings that impact access to medical services, and explore the real-world consequences for millions of Americans.

Monica provides clear, thoughtful explanations about the reconciliation process, Medicaid and immigration impacts, the role of preventive services, and the positive changes related to orphan drug pricing. The episode ends with a candid and heartfelt conversation about what individuals can do in the face of these complicated, and sometimes devastating, policy changes.

Got a question for the podcast?Email us at [email protected]!

Featured Resources Mentioned:

● Register for Second Breaking News Webinar

● Triage Cancer’s Past Webinars

● Advocacy Resource Hub

● Find & contact your elected officials: house.gov | senate.gov

● Triage Health Estate Planning Toolkit

● Triage Cancer and Triage Health Events

Connect with Triage Cancer & Triage Health:

Website: TriageCancer.org | TriageHealth.org

Social:

Instagram: @triagecancer | @triage_health

Facebook: Triage Cancer | Triage_Health

LinkedIn: Triage Cancer | Triage Health

Bluesky: @triagecancer.org‬ | @triagehealth.org‬‬‬‬‬

In this episode:

In this episode of the How to Triage Health podcast, host Michaela Tobin is joined by Monica Bryant, Esq., COO at Triage Health, to explore the complex relationship between employment and serious or chronic health conditions. They discuss how employment is often more than just a paycheck; it’s often a source of stability, purpose, and normalcy. But managing a job while navigating treatment or recovery brings legal, emotional, and practical challenges. Monica shares expert insights into workplace protections, reasonable accommodations, privacy, and how to advocate for yourself.

Got a question for the podcast?

Email us at [email protected]!

Featured Resources Mentioned:

• Triage Health Employment Resources
• More on the ADA and Reasonable Accommodations
• Triage Health Quick Guide to Crowdfunding
• Job Accommodation Network (JAN)
• State Health Insurance Assistance Programs (SHIP)
• CaringBridge

Connect with Triage Cancer & Triage Health:

Website: TriageCancer.org | TriageHealth.org

Social:

Instagram: @triagecancer | @triage_health

Facebook: Triage Cancer | Triage_Health

LinkedIn: Triage Cancer | Triage Health

Bluesky: @triagecancer.org | @triagehealth.org

In this episode:

Michaela Tobin is joined by Monica Bryant to break down critical updates to the Medicare program that impact more than 68 million Americans. They explore key changes around prescription drug coverage in the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, including the new $2,000 out-of-pocket maximum and the rollout of the Medicare Prescription Payment Plan. This conversation is a must-listen for seniors, individuals with disabilities, caregivers, and health care professionals who help others navigate these complex systems. Monica also shares thoughtful insights on the importance of advance care planning and estate documents.

Got a question for the podcast?

Email us at [email protected]!

Featured Resources Mentioned:

Medicare.gov Plan Finder

Triage Cancer Medicare Hub

Triage Health Medicare Resources

Legal & Financial Navigation Program

Find your SHIP program

Upcoming Webinars:

 What Should I Know About Medicare? – Part 1

What Should I Know About Medicare? – Part 2

 Connect with Triage Cancer & Triage Health:

Website: TriageCancer.org | TriageHealth.org

Social:

Instagram: @triagecancer | @triage_health

Facebook: Triage Cancer | Triage_Health

LinkedIn: Triage Cancer | Triage Health

Bluesky: @triagecancer.org | @triagehealth.org

In the second episode of the How to Triage Health Podcast, Outreach Coordinator Michaela Tobin and COO Monica Bryant recap their time at the 2025 American Society of Clinical Oncology Annual Meeting, highlighting the importance of staying connected to new science, policy developments, and industry partnerships. Monica and Michaela also take a deep dive into one of the mostdiscussed topics at ASCO this year: concerns over the recently passed Budget Reconciliation Bill and its potential impact on the health care community.Other key topics include:

• How you can advocate for yourselfand others, no matter your comfort level
• The connection between policy andindividual health outcomes
• Managing side effects of treatmentat work

Got a question for the podcast? Email us at [email protected]!

Featured Resources Mentioned:

Post-Election Advocacy: Getting Engaged Webinar

Triage Cancer Advocacy Resource Hub

How to find your elected officials

Triage Cancer’s educational blog

Upcoming Webinar:

What to Do When an Insurance Company Says “No”

 Don’t forget to connect with us on social media to see some of the behind-the-scenes fun from ASCO and stay in the loopabout future episodes!

Connect with Triage Cancer & Triage Health:

Website: TriageCancer.org | TriageHealth.org

Social:

• Instagram: @triagecancer | @triage_health
• Facebook: Triage Cancer | Triage_Health
• LinkedIn: Triage Cancer | Triage Health
• Bluesky: ‪@triagecancer.org | ‪@triagehealth.org

In the premiere episode of How to Triage Health, host Michaela Tobin sits down with Monica Bryant, COO and co-founder of Triage Cancer, for an insightful conversation about the organization’s mission and evolution. Founded in 2012 alongside CEO Joanna Doran, Triage Cancer has long been a vital resource for individuals navigating the complex legal and practical challenges following a serious medical diagnosis.

Monica shares the story behind the creation of Triage Cancer and the organization’s recent expansion into Triage Health—a broader initiative aimed at serving individuals facing chronic and serious health conditions beyond cancer. Listeners also get a look at the Legal & Financial Navigation Program and discover practical tools for managing health-related life disruptions.

Whether you’re a patient, caregiver, health care provider, or advocate, this episode lays the groundwork for empowering, informed decision-making—right from the start.Featured Resources Mentioned:

● Animated Educational Videos (Available in English & Spanish): TriageHealth.org/Animated-Videos

● Health Insurance Comparison Calculator and Health Insurance Comparison Worksheet: TriageHealth.org/Worksheet-HealthInsurance

● Legal & Financial NavigationProgram: TriageHealth.org/GetHelp

Connect with Triage Cancer & Triage Health:

● Website: TriageCancer.org | TriageHealth.org

● Social:

○     Instagram: @triagecancer | @triage_health

○     Facebook: Triage Cancer | Triage_Health

○     LinkedIn: Triage Cancer | Triage Health

○     Bluesky: ‪@triagecancer.org | ‪@triagehealth.org
Visit the Events Page: TriageHealth.org/Events