Ask CancerCare
Every month, a featured expert from CancerCare's staff of professional oncology social workers will answer common questions about coping with a cancer diagnosis. Submit your own question for the chance to have it answered in this column.
June 2008 This Month's Topic: Submit Your Questions on this Month's Topic Featured Expert: Jane Levy, LCSW |
Q. About six months ago, my five-year-old daughter was diagnosed with leukemia and I had to leave work to take care of her. Now, I'm struggling financially and need help paying the bills. Where can I turn?
A. Children with cancer typically undergo an intense treatment schedule and their care can become a full-time job in itself for the parent or guardian. Unexpected expenses can range from uncovered treatment costs to transportation and childcare, as well as those of daily living, which also especially difficult to meet when there is a loss of income.
CancerCare, The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and the National Children's Cancer Society, among other organizations, offer limited financial assistance for some treatment and treatment-related expenses for eligible families. The Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Foundation also provides a listing of possible resources.
Ask the social worker at your child's treatment center for information on organizations in your community that assist children with serious illnesses. In addition, many large treatment centers have special funds for children to help defray the cost of treatment and related costs. Make sure you inquire about whether your treatment center has such a fund, and how you might qualify.
Finding help with the expenses of daily living is more challenging. A possible resource includes the 211 referral line of your local United Way which provides links to community programs that may offer financial assistance or practical help. You can also try negotiating payment plans for your monthly bills with your utility company, phone provider and other creditors, who may also offer assistance programs to people in need.
For additional guidance, please read our fact sheet, Tips for Finding Financial Assistance.
Q. I am going through treatment and need help covering the costs of practical things, like nutritional drinks and medical supplies. Are there resources available for people in my situation?
A. The cost of nutritional supplements as well as other supplies can be an added and unforeseen expense for many cancer patients.
For help with nutritional supplements, first check your insurance policy to learn whether these supplies are covered and under what circumstances. For example, Medicaid, Medicare and some private insurance will pay for nutritional support for patients that need feeding tubes for more than three months.
Other possible sources of support are patient assistance programs offered by the product manufacturers themselves. For example, Abbott, maker of the nutritional drink Ensure, has a patient assistance program. You can find out more about this program by visiting the website, www.needymeds.com. Click on "Brand Name Drugs," then select "E" to locate Ensure. Abbott also provides more information about insurance coverage of nutritional supplies.
You can also call the Partnership for Prescription Assistance at 1-888-4PPA-NOW to find out about any other nutritional assistance programs.
Caregivers Marketplace is a consumer cash-back program that offers savings on name-brand health care products. Consumers can request cash back with each purchase of the eligible products. To find out more about the program and which products are included in the program, visit www.caregiversmarketplace.com.
You can also contact a social worker through your hospital to find out what local agencies might provide discounts or other cost savings on medical supplies.
Q. My son owes one hospital over $100,000 for chemo treatments and surgeries. He also has bills for radiation treatment from another cancer center. He has recently been approved for Medicare but it will be impossible for him to pay the remaining costs, after Medicare pays, for any future treatment. He will never be able to pay off such a large debt. Is there any legal help for him?
A. The consequences of medical debt are staggering and unfortunately all too common. Medical debt is a major burden and a source of continuing stress for many cancer patients, especially those who are younger, have lower incomes, and lack insurance, according to a recent report by the Kaiser Family Foundation.
If he hasn't already, your son should approach the medical centers where he has been treated to find out whether they will either lower his bill or work with him to address this sizeable debt. Some facilities provide funding to offset any care that isn't covered by his insurance, though he will be expected to provide proof of his financial situation. Your son should also explore supplemental coverage plans such as Medicaid that could help with the amounts not covered by Medicare.
The Patient Advocate Foundation's trained case managers provide guidance and support and can intervene on your son's behalf regarding his medical debt. They also maintain a network of volunteer attorneys.
Lawhelp.org provides referrals for affordable and/or free legal assistance programs in one's area and advice about bankruptcy protection and other financial issues.
You might also order him a copy of CancerCare's Helping Hand Resource Guide, which lists other practical and supportive services your son might need.
Q. I've just been diagnosed with breast cancer. Even with insurance, I have many out-of-pocket expenses. What organizations can help me?
A. Cancer is a very expensive illness. Even with insurance, most people are unprepared for the out-of-pocket expenses for medical care. These expenses can include co-payments and medications for side effects, as well as costs for transportation to and from treatment and childcare. Covering general daily living expenses can also be challenging, especially if there is a loss of income due to the diagnosis and treatment.
There are organizations, however, that offer financial help to people with cancer to cover some of the costs related to their diagnosis. Several specifically assist breast cancer patients.
CancerCare, for example, offers limited assistance for transportation, homecare, and childcare for women who qualify. Limited funds are also available to assist with certain oral treatments, pain and anti-nausea medications, lymphedema supplies, and durable medical equipment. Find out more in our financial assistance section.
Some local divisions of the American Cancer Society may also have funds for transportation to treatment as well as assistance with wigs and prostheses.
Co-pay foundations are independent charities that assist insured patients who qualify with the co-pay costs of their pharmaceutical products. Clients may contact each foundation for information but can apply only to one foundation. Current charities that assist breast cancer patients are:
- CancerCare Co-Payment Assistance Foundation
- Patient Access Foundation Network Foundation
- The Chronic Disease Fund
- The Healthwell Foundation
- The Patient Advocate Foundation
Finding help with daily living expenses can be more of a challenge. Breast cancer organizations like Susan G. Komen for the Cure often fund Safety Net Programs. Call Komen's helpline at 1-800-I'M AWARE for the number of your local affiliate to find out if there is a program near you.
Also try the 211 referral line of your local United Way for links to community programs that assist with daily living costs.
CancerCare offers helpful fact sheets on finding financial assistance in your community:
- "Financial Help for People with Cancer"
- "Sources of Financial Assistance"
- "Finding Resources in Your Community"
Jane Levy, LCSW is Director of Patient Assistance Programs at CancerCare. Jane has been a featured presenter at numerous workshops, seminars and conferences on the financial impact of a cancer diagnosis. She is currently developing a financial resource guide for patients and their loved ones.
The questions and answers listed above are from the June 2008 Ask CancerCare feature. New Ask CancerCare topics are introduced every month.
If you have additional questions about managing financial concerns, please contact CancerCare directly for information and guidance. CancerCare provides free professional support services, including counseling, education, financial assistance and practical help. These services are provided by professional oncology social workers. If you have a specific concern or question and would like to speak with an oncology social worker, please contact us at info@cancercare.org or 1-800-813-HOPE (4673).
For questions about medical issues, please visit Cancer.net, the patient information website of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO).
Ask CancerCare Archive (questions and answers from previous months)
| Cancer Types & Specific Populations | Emotional | Medical | Practical |
