    You don’t have to be alone if you’re coping with cancer. Dealing with financial and insurance issues related to your medical care can be very stressful and confusing. While you may have contacted patient support groups, you should know that there are also organizations that may be able to help you and your family with financial questions. We are providing you with a list of a few government agencies, organizations, and programs that are designed to provide assistance for cancer patients and their families. However, resources provided by individual organizations vary, and it is important to check with a specific group to determine if financial help, aid, or information is currently available. Financial AssistanceGovernment Breast and Cervical Cancer Prevention and Treatment Act of 2000 The Breast and Cervical Cancer Treatment Act provides, in most states, Medicaid coverage for treatment to women who have been screened for and diagnosed with breast or cervical cancer, including precancerous conditions, through the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program. For more information about eligibility and contacts for this program, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) “Breast and Cervical Cancer Prevention and Treatment Act of 2000” Web page at www.cdc.gov/CANCER/nbccedp/legislation/law106-354.htm. Hill-Burton Hill-Burton is a program through which hospitals receive construction and modernization funds from the federal government. Hospitals that receive Hill-Burton funds are required by law to provide a reasonable volume of services to people who cannot afford to pay for their hospitalization and make their services available to all residents in the facility’s area. Information about Hill-Burton facilities is available by calling the toll-free number or visiting the Web site shown above. A brochure about the program is available in Spanish. Medicaid Medicaid (Medical Assistance), a jointly funded, federal-state health insurance program for people who need financial assistance for medical expenses, is coordinated by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). At a minimum, states must provide home care services to people who receive federal income assistance such as Social Security Income and Aid to Families with Dependent Children. Medicaid coverage includes part-time nursing, home care aide services, and medical supplies and equipment. Information about coverage is available from local state welfare offices, state health departments, state social services agencies, or the state Medicaid office. Check your local telephone directory for the number to call. Information about specific state contacts is also available on the Web site listed above. Spanish-speaking staff are available in some offices. Veterans Affairs The VA provides eligible veterans with treatment for service-connected injuries and other medical conditions. The VA offers limited medical benefits to family members of eligible veterans. The VA cancer program provides users of the veterans' healthcare system easy access to cancer prevention, detection, and treatment services. Its Web site offers cancer facts, information about care, a list of VA-designated comprehensive cancer centers, and the VA’s national cancer strategy. For more information about the VA cancer program, visit the VA Cancer Web page at www1.va.gov/cancer/index.cfm. Some publications are available in Spanish. Spanish-speaking staff are available in some offices. Nonprofit Organizations American Kidney Fund The American Kidney Fund is our nation’s #1 source of direct financial assistance to kidney patients, and is a leader in providing education to those with and at risk for kidney disease. CancerCare, Inc. CancerCare is a national nonprofit agency that offers free support, information, financial assistance, and practical help to people with cancer and their loved ones. Financial assistance is given in the form of limited grants for certain treatment expenses. Services are provided by oncology social workers and are available in person, over the telephone, and through the agency’s Web site. CancerCare’s reach also extends to professionals—providing education, information, and assistance. A section of the CancerCare Web site and some publications are available in Spanish, and staff can respond to calls and e-mails in Spanish. Information about financial assistance for all cancers is available at www.cancercare.org/get_help/assistance/cc_financial.php on the Internet. CancerCare has also partnered with Susan G. Komen for the Cure to create the Linking A.R.M.S. program, which provides limited financial assistance for hormonal and oral chemotherapy, pain and antinausea medication, lymphedema supplies, and durable medical equipment for women with breast cancer. Chronic Disease Fund The Chronic Disease Fund provides assistance to underinsured patients who are diagnosed with chronic or life-altering diseases that require the use of expensive, specialty therapeutics. HealthWell Foundation® The HealthWell Foundation® is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, charitable organization that helps individuals afford prescription medications they are taking for specific illnesses. The Foundation provides financial assistance to eligible patients to cover certain out-of-pocket healthcare costs, including:
The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society The LLS offers information and financial aid to patients with significant financial need who have leukemia, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, Hodgkin’s lymphoma, or multiple myeloma. The LLS’s “Patient Financial Aid” Web page provides more information about the types of service available, application forms, and eligibility requirements at www.leukemia.org/all_page?item_id=4603 on the Internet. LIVESTRONG™ SurvivorCare National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) Since 1987, NORD has administered programs to assist uninsured or underinsured individuals in securing life-saving or life-sustaining medications. In addition to the estimated 50 million Americans who have no health insurance, an increasing number of insured individuals have policies that do not reimburse for prescription drugs. Others have policies with low annual caps on prescription drug expenditures. NeedyMeds NeedyMeds is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with the mission of helping people who cannot afford medicine or healthcare costs. The information at NeedyMeds can be obtained anonymously and is free of charge. NeedyMeds is an information source similar to the Yellow Pages; it does not supply medications or financial assistance, but helps people find assistance programs and other available resources. Patient Access Network Foundation The Patient Access Network Foundation is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to supporting the needs of patients who cannot access the treatments they need due to out-of-pocket healthcare costs. Patient Advocate Foundation The PAF provides education, legal counseling, and referrals to cancer patients and survivors concerning managed care, insurance, financial issues, job discrimination, and debt crisis matters. Co-Pay Relief Program Patient Services Incorporated PSI helps persons with chronic illnesses access health insurance and pharmacy co-payment assistance. Other Resources Some nonprofit community hospitals are able to provide care for patients in need of financial assistance. Other hospitals have indigent or charity care programs funded by state and local governments. For more information, contact a hospital social worker, who will be able to explain these types of programs. Another type of assistance may be offered through your local health department. The National Cancer Institute’s (NCI) Cancer Information Service may be able to provide information about local programs by phone at (800) 4-CANCER. The NCI is a component of the National Institutes of Health. State and local social services agencies can provide help with food, housing, prescription drugs, transportation, and other medical expenses for those who are not eligible for other programs. Information can be obtained by contacting your state or local agency; this number can be found in your local telephone directory. GSK has provided or may provide funding to some of these organizations. |
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