Medical expenses can be overwhelming, especially for patients with cancer who often face very high costs for cancer drugs and other treatments. Some people opt not to have treatment, because of the financial burden that they and their families may face, but when it comes to cancer, this could be a death sentence. Because of the very high costs of cancer therapies, many drug companies and cancer foundations now offer assistance to patients who can demonstrate a financial need. Be proactive and fully engaged in your own care, by knowing your financial responsibilities and options. By calling your patient financial services department or business office, you can typically find help to address your financial needs. The following information can assist you during your financial conversations.
Payment Guidelines
All cancer care facilities are different according to their not-forprofit, for-profit, and state-funded status. Care facilities should work with you based on their financial policies and guidelines. If a reasonable agreement cannot be reached, the facility should make other financial solutions available to you or direct you to other resources
Financial Assistance Programs
Government/community programs. These programs are typically federally funded or are funded internally through private financial donations from community members. Eligibility for these programs is typically based on the federal poverty guidelines of each state. Therefore, you will need proof of income, family size, and other information that may be required by the facility or the specific program.
Drug companies programs. Many drug companies have copayment assistance programs to provide financial help to patients who are unable to pay for their cancer treatments. Facilities often have staff that can assist patients with devices and/or medication costs during treatment. This requires research and completion of paperwork for companies that have programs to assist patients with financial costs that are not covered by insurance (for example, chemotherapy), or if you do have insurance.
Online resources. If the facility does not have someone to assist with financial needs, you can do your own research and complete your paperwork for acceptance into various programs. You can begin by checking the patient resources listed in this article.
Bank loan programs. Some facilities have bank loan programs that afford relief to maintain a patient’s monthly household budget during treatment. These programs typically bear interest, and usually there are no penalties if the loan is paid off early. Each facility has guidelines established, which may include credit scoring, for acceptance into a bank loan program.
Healthcare Exchange Programs
If you don’t have insurance, your facility may have nurse navigators, healthcare exchange counselors, or financial advocates that can assist with the healthcare exchange programs. They can help you enroll in a Medicaid insurance plan, or in a commercial insurance plan that could have premium deductions based on your income. Keep in mind that you will have to be involved in completing forms and in the completion of final steps to become actively enrolled in the program, which may include a visit to your local Department of Job and Family Services. Also, if you are enrolling or are currently enrolled in a commercial insurance plan, you must pay the premiums to your insurance company to receive active benefits. If your oncology center or oncologist does not have someone to help with the enrollment process, you can search the Healthcare Exchange Program on www.HealthCare.gov to become actively enrolled. Because it is educated in healthcare exchange programs, an insurance company that handles life, medical, vehicle, and homeowners insurance may be able to assist you with the enrollment process.
Patient Resources
For financial assistance programs for a specific drug, visit the website of the drug company of your drug. Many companies now offer assistance for cancer drugs.
The following online links list information on financial assistance for patients with cancer:
- CancerCare
www.cancercare.org/publications/62-sources_of_financial_assistance - Manage Cancer
www.managecancer.org/resources/financial-support.aspx - Cancer Financial Assistance Coalition
www.cancerfac.org - Patient Resource
www.patientresource.com/financial_resources.aspx - American Cancer Society
www.cancer.org/treatment/findingandpayingfortreatment/managinginsuranceissues/healthinsuranceandfinancialassistanceforthecancerpatient/health-insurance-and-financial-assistance-outside-sources - Cancer.net
www.cancer.net/navigating-cancer-care/financialconsiderations/financial-resources - Self
www.self.com/life/health/2014/09/2014-cancer-resource-guide