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Need
Financial Assistance?
A diagnosis of breast cancer is
overwhelming enough, but the additional burden of how to pay for
everything can sometimes be an additional burden. For many people, at least part
of the medical expenses will be paid by their health insurance. But for
individuals without health insurance or who need additional financial
assistance, there are other resources available, including
government-sponsored programs and services support by nonprofit
organizations. Breast cancer patients and their families should
openly discuss their concerns about health care costs with their
physician, medical social worker, or the business office of their
hospital or clinic. We have
attempted to list some agencies, organizations, and programs that are
designed to provide assistance for cancer patients and their families.
However, always check with a specific group to determine if assistance
is currently available.
CANCER
TREATMENT
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 below. A brochure about the program is
available in Spanish.
Telephone: 1–800–638–0742 (Maryland residents call
1–800–492–0359)
Web site:
http://www.hrsa.gov/hillburton/default.htm
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 the local telephone directory for the
number to call. Information about specific state contacts is also
available on the Web site listed below. Spanish-speaking staff are
available in some offices.
Telephone: 1–877–267–2323
Web site:
http://www.cms.gov/medicaid/consumer.asp
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.
Web site:
http://www.cdc.gov/CANCER/nbccedp/legislation/law106-354.htm
Medicare is a Federal health
insurance program also administered by the CMS. Eligible individuals
include those who are 65 or older, people of any age with permanent
kidney failure, and disabled people under age 65. Medicare is divided
into two parts, Part A and Part B. Part A pays for hospital care, home
health care, hospice care, and care in Medicare-certified nursing
facilities. Part B covers medically necessary services, including
diagnostic studies, physicians' services, durable home medical
equipment, and ambulance transportation; Part B also covers screening
exams for several types of cancer. To receive information on
eligibility, explanations of coverage, and related publications, call
Medicare at the number listed below or visit their Web site. Some
publications are available in Spanish. Spanish-speaking staff are
available.
Telephone: 1–800–633–4227 (1–800–MEDICARE)
TTY: 1–877–486–2048
Web site:
http://www.medicare.gov
The Veterans Administration (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 health care 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. Some publications are available in Spanish. Spanish-speaking staff
are available in some offices.
Telephone: 1–877–222–8387 (1–877–222–VETS)
TTY: 1–800–829–4833
Web site:
http://www1.va.gov/health/
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
http://www.cancercare.org/get_help/assistance/cc_financial.php
on the Internet.
Telephone: 1–800–813–4673 (1–800–813–HOPE)
Web site:
http://www.cancercare.org
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.
The Patient Advocate Foundation (PAF) provides education, legal
counseling, and referrals to cancer patients and survivors concerning
managed care, insurance, financial issues, job discrimination, and debt
crisis matters. The PAF also conducts outreach to African American and
Hispanic/Latino American populations.
Telephone: 1–800–532–5274
Web site:
http://www.patientadvocate.org
The Co-Pay Relief Program provides
limited payment assistance for medicine to insured patients who
financially and medically qualify.
Telephone: 1-866-512-3861
Web site:
http://www.copays.org
Patient Assistance Programs are
offered by some pharmaceutical manufacturers to help pay for
medications. To learn whether a specific drug might be available at
reduced cost through such a program, talk with a physician or a medical
social worker or visit the drug manufacturer's Web site. Most
pharmaceutical companies will have a section titled “patient assistance
programs” on their Web site.
PRACTICAL NEEDS
In addition to cancer treatments, many
cancer patients need assistance paying for transportation to and from
medical appointments and basic living expenses such as food and housing.
Listed below are organizations dedicated to helping cancer patients and
their families during and after the patient's treatment.
Eldercare Locator is a referral service provided by the U.S.
Administration on Aging, an agency within the U.S. Department of Health
and Human Services. Eldercare Locator information specialists will link
callers with state and area agencies on aging for information and
referral to local agencies that provide a wide array of senior services.
This service is available Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00
p.m., Eastern time.
Telephone: 1–800–677–1116
Web site:
http://www.eldercare.gov/Eldercare/Public/Home.asp
GovBenefits.gov is a partnership of
Federal agencies with a shared vision to provide improved, personalized
access to government assistance programs. This Web site's online
screening tool is free, easy-to-use, and completely confidential. The
user answers a series of questions, then the Web site generates a list
of government benefit programs that the user may be eligible to receive,
along with information about how the user can apply.
Telephone: 1–800–333–4636 (1–800–FED–INFO)
Web site:
http://www.govbenefits.gov/govbenefits_en.portal
The Social Security Administration (SSA)
is the Government agency that oversees Social Security and Supplemental
Security Income. Social Security provides monthly income for eligible
elderly and disabled individuals. More information about these and other
SSA programs is available by calling the toll-free number listed below.
Spanish-speaking staff are available. Additional contact information for
the SSA is available at
http://www.ssa.gov/reach.htm on the
Internet.
Telephone: 1–800–772–1213
TTY: 1–800–325–0778
Web site:
http://www.ssa.gov/
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is
administered by the SSA and supplements Social Security payments for
aged, blind, and disabled people with little or no income. It provides
cash to meet basic needs for food, clothing, and shelter. Information on
eligibility, coverage, and how to file a claim is available from the SSA.
The Benefit Eligibility Screening Tool is available at
https://s044a90.ssa.gov/apps7/best/benefits/
on the Internet.
Web site:
http://www.socialsecurity.gov/ssi
The American Cancer Society (ACS)
offers programs that help cancer patients, family members, and friends
cope with the treatment decisions and emotional challenges they face. To
get information about these programs, call the national ACS office, or
find a local ACS office by typing your location into the search boxes on
the “My Local ACS Office” Web page at
http://www.cancer.org/asp/search/mla/mla_global.asp?navToScreen=mla_0
on the Internet. Some materials are published in Spanish.
Spanish-speaking staff are available.
Telephone: 1–800–227–2345 (1–800–ACS–2345)
TTY: 1–866–228–4327
Web site:
http://www.cancer.org
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The Health Insurance Assistance
Service (HIAS/ACS) aids cancer patients who have lost or are in
danger of losing their health care coverage, along with identifying
policy solutions to help others in similar situations. The service,
a joint effort of the ACS and the Georgetown University Health
Policy Institute, connects cancer patients who call the ACS cancer
information number with health insurance specialists who work to
address their needs.
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Hope Lodge, a temporary housing
program supported by ACS, provides free, temporary housing
facilities for cancer patients who are undergoing treatment. For
more information about this program, or to find locations of Hope
Lodges, call the ACS's toll-free number above or visit the Hope
Lodge Web page at
http://www.cancer.org/docroot/SHR/content/SHR_2.1_x_Hope_Lodge.asp
on the Internet.
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The Road to Recovery is an ACS
service program that provides transportation for cancer patients to
their treatments and home again. Transportation is provided
according to the needs and available resources in the community and
can be arranged by calling the toll-free number or by contacting the
local ACS office.
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The ACS offers Taking Charge
of Money Matters , a workshop for people with cancer and their
loved ones about financial concerns that may arise during or after
cancer treatment, regardless of the person's health insurance
coverage. The session provides an opportunity to discuss financial
matters with guest speakers who are knowledgeable about financial
planning. More information about this workshop is available on the
ACS Web page at
http://www.cancer.org/docroot/SHR/content/SHR_2.1_x_Taking_Charge_of_Money_Matters.asp
on the Internet.
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The ACS's "tlc" Tender Loving Care®
publication contains helpful articles and information, including
products for women coping with cancer or any cancer treatment that
causes hair loss. Products include wigs, hairpieces, breast forms,
prostheses, bras, hats, turbans, swimwear, and helpful accessories
at the lowest possible prices. The publication strives to help women
facing cancer treatment cope with the appearance-related side
effects of cancer. To request a copy of "tlc," call
1–800–850–9445, or visit "tlc" at
http://www.tlccatalog.org on the Internet.
CancerCare operates the AVONCares Program for Medically
Underserved Women, in partnership with the Avon Foundation. This program
provides financial assistance to low-income, under- and uninsured,
underserved women throughout the country who need supportive services
(transportation, child care, and home care) related to the treatment of
breast and cervical cancers.
Telephone: 1–800–813–4673 (1–800–813–HOPE)
Web site:
http://www.cancercare.org
The LIVESTRONG™ SurvivorCare partnership between CancerCare and
the Lance Armstrong Foundation provides financial assistance to cancer
survivors. For patients who are 6 months post-treatment with no evidence
of disease, limited financial assistance is available for transportation
to follow-up appointments, medical copays, cancer-related medications,
and neuropsychological evaluation.
Telephone: 1– 866–235–7205
Web sites:
http://www.cancercare.org and
http://www.livestrong.org
The National Patient Travel Helpline provides information about
all forms of charitable, long-distance medical air transportation and
provides referrals to all appropriate sources of help available in the
national charitable medical air transportation network.
Telephone: 1–800–296–1217
Web site:
http://www.patienttravel.org/
Ronald McDonald Houses, supported by Ronald McDonald House
Charities, provide a "home away from home" for families of seriously ill
children receiving treatment at nearby hospitals. Ronald McDonald Houses
are temporary residences near the medical facility, where family members
can sleep, eat, relax, and find support from other families in similar
situations. In return, families are asked to make a donation ranging on
average from $5 to $20 per day, but if that isn't possible, their stay
is free. To search for a Ronald McDonald House location, go to http://www.rmhc.org/search_cm
on the Internet.
Telephone: 630–623–7048
Web site:
http://www.rmhc.com
OTHER RESOURCES
In
addition to the Government-sponsored programs and organizations already
listed, these general resources may also be helpful:
The Health Resources and Services Administration's (HRSA) Bureau of
Primary Health Care offers Health Centers that provide health care
to low-income and other vulnerable populations. Health Centers care for
people regardless of their ability to pay. They provide primary and
preventive health care, as well as services such as transportation and
translation. To locate a Health Center, visit the "Service Delivery
Sites" Web page at http://ask.hrsa.gov/pc/ on the Internet.
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
information about these programs, 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 1–800–4–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 is
found in the local telephone directory.
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) can provide information about
tax deductions for medical costs that are not covered by insurance
policies. For example, tax deductible expenses might include mileage for
trips to and from medical appointments, out-of-pocket costs for
treatment, prescription drugs or equipment, and the cost of meals during
lengthy medical visits. Deductible-qualified medical expenses include
those incurred by the patient, spouse, and dependents. Medical expenses
may also be deducted for someone who would have qualified as a dependent
for the purpose of taking personal exemptions except that the person did
not meet the gross income or joint return test. Nursing home expenses
are allowable as medical expenses in certain instances. If the patient,
a spouse, or dependent is in a nursing home, and the primary reason for
being there is for medical care, the entire cost, including meals and
lodging, is a medical expense. The local IRS office, tax consultants, or
certified public accountants can determine whether medical costs are tax
deductible.
Telephone: 1–800–829–1040
Web site:
http://www.irs.gov
Community voluntary agencies and service organizations such as
the United Way of America , Salvation Army, Lutheran Social Services,
Jewish Social Services, and Catholic Charities may offer help. These
organizations are listed in your local phone directory. Some churches
and synagogues may provide financial help or services to their members.
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