Managing cancer costs
Find support and information about covering treatment costs and other expenses when living with cancer.
What is the financial cost of cancer?
A cancer diagnosis affects you and your loved ones in many ways. In addition to physical and emotional challenges, many people living with cancer may also worry about the cost of treatment and how to balance cancer with work.
Here are some possible cancer-related costs to think about:
- Doctor’s office or hospital visits
- Medical expenses, including cancer treatments, prescriptions, procedures, and tests
- Travel expenses, like transportation or lodging
- Living expenses, including at-home care or food costs
- Lost income from taking time off work
Resources are available to help you think through your needs and find a path forward. There are many resources and organizations, like Support Near Me, available to help with cancer-related costs.
Where can I find support near me?
Support Near Me is a third-party website where people living with cancer can find local resources. These resources may help with the daily challenges of living with cancer, such as housing, food, transportation, and more.
Care team conversations
Throughout your treatment, you can ask your care team these questions about cancer costs:
- Can someone help estimate the total cost of my treatment?
- Can someone help me plan my budget?
- How much will my co-pay be for each doctor visit?
- Are payment plans an option for my medical care?
- How often will I need scans and lab testing, and will they be covered by my insurance?
- If my insurance won’t fully cover treatment, what are my options?
- Where can I find help with transportation, housing, or other cancer-related costs?
How can I get help with cancer-related costs?
Talk to your cancer care team
If you have questions about your medical expenses, start by talking to your care team, including a nurse navigator or social worker. They may also be able to put you in touch with a financial counselor or navigator to help you manage your budget with these costs in mind.
There also are many private and public programs that may help save you money on your prescription medications. For example, the maker of your treatment may offer a program or there may be another program that may help you lower the amount you have to pay yourself. Most programs will have you fill out an application and will require information from your doctor. Ask your doctor or health care team about what programs may be available to you and who on your health care team can help you apply. This application will help to determine if you are eligible for financial assistance.
Learn about programs that may offer financial help
Medicare Savings Programs
If you apply for or already get Medicare, this program may help with the costs of your Medicare coverage.
Website: www.medicare.gov
Social Security
You may be able to apply for disability benefits through Social Security if you meet eligibility requirements.
Website: www.ssa.gov/disability
If you haven’t worked in a while or your income has been low, Supplemental Security Income may be an option for getting benefits.
Website: www.ssa.gov/ssi
Family Reach
Family Reach is dedicated to helping with the financial barriers standing between a cancer patient and their care.
Website: www.familyreach.org
Find resources that help cover daily costs
Support Near Me
“Support Near Me” is a third-party website where people living with cancer can find local resources. These resources may help with the daily challenges of living with cancer, such as housing, food, transportation, and more.
Website: www.supportnearme.com
American Cancer Society
The American Cancer Society offers several support programs and services to help people living with cancer, including help finding transportation and lodging, educational materials, and a 24/7 cancer helpline (1-800-227-2345).
Website: www.cancer.org
You can also consider asking your community for support
There are many websites that people may use to raise money from family, friends, and others in their community. These sites are known as crowdfunding sites. Many people use them for different needs, including raising money to help pay for extra expenses related to medical care. Each site has different rules, so be sure to read carefully before starting your fundraiser.
GoFundMe
Website: www.gofundme.com
GoGetFunding
Website: www.gogetfunding.com
FundRazr
Website: www.fundrazr.com
How will my diagnosis impact my work life?
Cancer can have a big impact on your work life, but there may be ways you can take back a sense of control over your situation. Find ways to help balance your work life while living with cancer.
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