A medical-legal partnership as a component of a palliative care model.

INTRODUCTION A medical-legal partnership (MLP) incorporated as part of a comprehensive palliative care model addresses unmet social and material needs for patients. This study retrospectively reviews the experience of one MLP and quantifies the benefits of the program for both patients and the host health care institution. METHODS The Legal Services Program, an MLP, reviewed their program referral and outcomes from April 1, 2004 to December 31, 2007 to document legal needs resolved. The patient accounts manager in the host health care institution reported on the revenue reimbursed to date on a subset of benefits advocacy cases. RESULTS The Legal Services Program received 297 referrals from April 1, 2004 to December 31, 2007 and resolved multiple legal issues. Seventeen benefits advocacy cases successfully overturned benefit denials, with the institution receiving $923,188 for current and past health services rendered. Two patient-client case studies are described in-depth. CONCLUSION This MLP demonstrates the ability to help both patients and health care institutions effectively address the needs of patients with cancer and is an important component of a comprehensive palliative care model.