Cancer Care: no more money left?

Hoolianama0508

Has anyone been recently told by cancer care that there is no more money left to cover chemotherapy expenses?

My mom has just received this type of call and doesn't know what to do. She is stage IV and in her 2nd year of chemotherapy. She does have medicare/wellcare but it does not cover enough as she is on a fixed income.

 Any advice for her that I can pass on?

Leah_S

Hoolianama, I'm sorry, I  don't have any advice but wanted to bump your post.

Hope you get answers soon.

Leah

Moderators

Hoolianama, there is a section on the main Breastcancer.org site called Paying for Your Care that has information on many different aspects of getting treatment, medications and other expenses covered for those with inadequate or no insurance.

Please check out the resources there, and we'll be wishing you and your mother the best!

Judith and the Mods

Hoolianama0508

Thanks for your response, I will check out the Paying for Your Care section.

And thank you Leah for your response

melly1462

Yes, I was told Cancer Care was out of funding for breast cancer patients in mid-January.  Have you or the onc's office checked with the drug companies (her chemo drugs)?  Some have programs specifically to offset the cost of their drugs for under insured/no insured.

Or try:

www.copays.org

www.healthwellfoundation.org

I have not received assistance from either but know of someone who has benefitted from Healthwell for another chronic disease.  I hate in addition to fighting this disease we also have to worry about the financial drain.  Best wishes to you and your mother. 

peggy_j

I don't know about that org Cancer Care, but I've known two people who had medical treatment, received huge bills and later declared medical bankruptcy. I've also heard of docs/hospitals writing off expenses if they can't be paid. Obviously this isn't an ideal situation but it seems like the patient needs to get treatment first and foremost.

Hoolianama0508

Thanks for the suggestions, I will check into them. The hospital was checking into some programs for my mom. I will tell her about the ones mentioned here.

Hoolianama0508

Good news!  My mom was able to get through with assistance from Patient Access Network Foundation. She will be continuing with her chemotherapy.

The American Cancer Society was advised her that if she was unable to get any assistance, they would assign her an advocate.

Thanks again for all your input!