Help with bills

AndreaM4567

I finished my chemo treatment about 6 weeks ago. I am just now starting to get the bills in from my treatments and surgeries. So I called Cancer Care and they told me they can only help with co-pays for current care. They kept repeating they could not help me since I was done with my treatment. Well, my treatment facility billed the insurance first and never asked for money up front. Whatever the insurance does not pay, I have to. So I was trying to explain that to her and she just kept "I'm sorry Mam, we cannot help you".

So I called Komen. They gave me two phone numbers to call. Same story. It was for co-pays only.

I am a stay at home mother of a 1 year old, a 2 year old, and a special needs 15 year old. My husband travels 120 miles per day to work so we can eat and have good insurance. We have wonderful insurance thankfully. However they still considered some of the items I had done "experimental". My out of pocket is also more than we can afford.
We are by no means below the poverty line but we are also just squeaking by. We are upside down on our house so we can't take equity out. I would hate to lose our home and everything else because I can't afford to have Cancer.

Anyone know of any help?

kerry_lamb

AndreaM, I don't know anything about the US system..I just wanted to say that I am in awe of how you guys are living. Good on you and your family.

In Australia we could approach Consumer Affairs or the insurance Ombudsmnn. Do you guys have such things? OF COURSE you were covered for your treatment at the time. They are just 'trying it on'.  All the very best. XX Kerry

badboob67

AndreaM,

I have compiled a list of bc/financial resources on my wikispace. Maybe if you took a look there you would find someplace to help. The link is: http://bb67.wikispaces.com/

Good luck! I hope there is some information there for you to help.

(((HUGS)))
Diane

footprintsangel

AndreaM,

I am walking in the same shoes,  You can call Cancerlife line 1-800-255-5505 and they are fighting with me and helping me to learn were it is that can help. Susan G  too. I wish you the best. Take care, Debbie

unique

Hi ~

I just saw your post. Go to your doctor and explain the trouble you are having with your portion of th bills. Many doctors will forgive this if you are having trouble. I did this when my husband had brain cancer. I would say half the providers just ate the 20%, including the hospital where he had his surgery.

Don't fuss about the bills either. Pay part if you cannot pay all. This takes some work, but call each provider and explain the financial problem. If they don't forgive the whole bill tell them what you can afford. $5.00 a month, whatever. And send it. This will keep you from going to Collections and all that hassle.

Find a friend to write the checks every month. I remember we had 50 providers I was sending like $5.00 a month to. Even $1.00 works. 

I would say bleh to all those organizations out there that pretend to help and then have some odd reason why they can't. For shame.

Let me know what happens with Cancerlife, I'm interested! 

dlb823

Andrea... Came across your post today, and remembered seeing and saving this post (link) a day or two ago from someone on these boards:   

http://bb67.wikispaces.com/

She's listed a wealth of resources that offer assistance in one form or another. If by chance that link doesn't work, let me know and I'll find the original post.  I think it was on the Pink: Not Just For Pepto Bismol Anymore thread, which is about corporate pinking.  Someone had asked which non-profits are worth supporting.

Hope it provides some possible resources for you ~   (((Hugs)))   Deanna  

KAK

Andrea, here's another page of potential help & resourses.  Keep scrolling down.  There's some good stuff here.  Good luck!!!

http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Support/financial-resources

Kathi