You Are Not Alone

All of this may seem overwhelming.  Reach out to your support network and your cancer sponsor for help and encouragement.  Realize that even in sorting through the financial aspects of your treatment, you are not alone.  Here are some of the others who are ready and willing to help you get your financial house in order and deal with the costs of treatment:

Medical Services

Your medical professionals should be well aware of the costs associated with treatment.  Like a college financial counselor, your doctors should be more interested in you’re your money is paying for than the money itself.  Don’t be afraid to discuss financial issues with them, and with medical business administrators.  They can tell you about government and private institutions willing to provide financial assistance.

If, for example, you find out that your insurance company will not pay for a treatment your doctor has recommended, or your insurance will not pay enough of the cost to allow you to have the treatment, discuss this problem with your doctor and the office staff. Your doctor may be able to call or write your insurance company to explain how this treatment might be best for you.

Government Services

There are a myriad of government services available to help reduce the cost of your treatments or pay for some or all aspects of it.  Do some research and find out for which programs you may qualify.  Some states, for example, have government-sponsored health insurance programs for people in a high-risk pool that have difficulty finding their own insurance. 

Social workers can also help you discuss your options.  First of all, they are familiar with laws that deal with medical treatment coverage.  These laws include the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. 

In some cases, you may be able to qualify for Medicaid, a program offering some health coverage to low-income individuals and families.  In some states, eligibility for Supplemental Security Income makes you automatically eligible for Medicaid.  Even if your income exceeds the eligibility guidelines for Medicaid, you may be able to pay the difference between your actual income and the eligibility income and obtain Medicaid coverage(Cancer Survival Toolbox).  You may also be eligible for Medicare, a program offering health care to older patients. 

If you were or currently are a member of the Armed Forces, or are a dependent of one, you may have access to Veterans’ Administration medical services.  Make sure to check with your local Veterans’ Affairs office to see what services are available for you.

Some hospitals constructed with federal aid are required under the Hill-Burton program to provide treatment to financially needy patients.  You can find these hospitals by calling the Hill-Burton Uncompensated Services Hotline. You can also access this information by calling your Department of Health and Human Services Regional Office.

Every US citizen is entitled to some Social Security Disability Benefits depending upon the severity of their disorder or disease. In case of cancer, whether you qualify for Social Security payments or not may depend on the effect cancer has had on your ability to work.  Social Security Benefits give you a monthly allowance to cope with the expenses of your treatment.  If you have a cancerous tumor that has been operated on before it spreads and affects other organs, then you won’t qualify for this benefit. However, if the impairment lasts for more than a year then you will likely be entitled. 

Employment Services

If you work for a large company or a government agency, your employer may have services available to help you cope with the financial hardships of your cancer treatment.  They may offer counseling, special time off policies, and other benefits.  Contact your human resources department to see what may be available.  Even in a small business your administrator should be cultivated as an advocate for you in working with your insurance plan. They may know more about how your insurance plan works than anyone else, and may have more leverage with the insurance company than you do as one individual.  If you are finding it difficult to receive information from your insurance company or to receive coverage, consider having the company administrator responsible for your group health plan call the insurance company on your behalf. 

Free Services and Sponsorship

Believe it or not, there are many medical organizations ready to offer support for those who qualify.  Some drug companies will help cancer patients pay for different sorts of medicines, for example.  Use your support network to do some research into cancer support being offered by organizations involved in medical treatment. (Cancer Survivor Toolbox)

There are some well-known cancer research centers that provides test for early detection of the Cancer. Cancer, if diagnosed and detected at a very early stage can improve the chance of survival quite radically. These centers with have sponsorships that enable them to pursue different kinds of pathological tests and other diagnosis for the patients detected with the early signs of cancer.

Fundraising

Your support network may be willing to help you raise money through a charitable dinner and dance, an auction, or other activity.  If you are in a small town or community, there may be fraternal organizations willing to offer support.  There are also many corporations and charitable organizations willing to help patients affected with cancer with the cost of their treatments.  Some charitable organizations will arrange various projects and carnivals to collect and accumulate funds for the cancer patients. Some businesses will even sponsor a cancer patient who may in turn offer to help promote their business and its interests.

Church and Community Services

Many community and religious organizations offer free medical services from time to time.  Some Christian churches, for example, have parish nurses on staff able and willing to help people with their medical problems.  Some even offer free cancer screening walk-ins.  Ask your pastor or religious leader if they know of any free medical services of which you can avail yourself.