Financial Assistance & Advice

Released: Friday, July 24, 2009

In the past few months while working at the United Breast Cancer Foundation, I have noticed one thing all my clients have in common.  The common thing is realizing how expensive cancer is and where do I turn for some financial assistance in this crucial time of need.  If you’re not sure where to turn for financial help, read on: There are government, nonprofit, such as UBCF, and private resources available—and people within these organizations to assist you with the options available to you.

Patients are often embarrassed to discuss financial issues, but they need to reach out. “People [need] to speak up before cancer becomes a tremendous financial crisis,” says Jane Levy, the director of Patient Assistance Programs for CancerCare, a national patient advocacy and support organization.

One place to start is with government programs. Medicaid provides health insurance for low-income individuals and families who meet its requirements. Since Medicaid laws vary from state to state, you’ll want to visit the Medicaid website to learn how the program operates in your state, says Levy. Patients with cancer may also qualify for Social Security disability benefits. Not all cancer patients are considered disabled.

The federal government’s Hill-Burton program provides funds to hospitals for free or low-cost services for low-income families. Most hospitals have financial counselors or a business office that may be able to help patients understand financial options, says Levy. It’s also a good idea to visit a hospital social worker, who could help you determine what assistance programs your hospital offers. Your hospital social worker can also help you understand your options and find other resources in your community.

Not all individuals qualify for government or low-income assistance, but there are many nonprofit and private organizations that provide financial aid and advice to patients facing cancer. CancerCare, for example, offers patients a number of support services, including financial assistance, says Levy. It provides small grants for medically related services, such as treatment and medication, and also works with organizations such as the Avon Foundation and Susan G. Komen for the Cure to offer generous grants for women with breast cancer.

The Patient Advocate Foundation is another national organization that helps cancer patients deal with the financial difficulties of their illnesses. “We assist patients with chronic, debilitating or life-threatening illnesses….with [gaining] access to care,” says Cynthia Hucks, the executive vice president of patient service programs at the Patient Advocate Foundation. Among its support activities, the foundation runs the Co-Pay Relief Program, which assists insured patients with breast, lung and prostate cancer cover the costs of their prescription co-pays. Beyond its co-pay program, the Patient Advocate Foundation matches patients with case managers who can help patients explore other resources and insurance issues, such as denied claims, says Donna McQuistian Sternberg, the former executive vice president of patient services at the Patient Advocate Foundation. The organization also maintains a network of lawyers, the National Legal Resource Network, which can help patients who feel they have wrongly been denied coverage.

Aside from medical and prescription coverage, many cancer patients face other financial needs during cancer treatment. Several national organizations can assist you with practical support, such as transportation, cost-of-living expenses and wigs. For instance, the American Cancer Society (ACS) operates local offices throughout the nation that patients can contact to explore various types of assistance.

Cancer can be a very expensive illness, and it’s important to find out what resources are available to you. If you’re concerned about the cost of your treatment, contacting an organization or a social worker for advice can help keep your financial concerns from becoming a financial crisis.