How can I pay for all of this?!

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idaho
idaho Member Posts: 1,187
edited June 2014 in Mental Health: Because Cancer Doesn't Just Affect Your Breasts

I am not sure that this is the right place to post this, but it is causing me anxiety....I don't have any idea how I am going to pay for all of this.  I am almost done with radiation, and then have to have tamoxifen and shots to shut down my ovaries.  The surgery cost is unbelievable!  My husband is on disability, and I was layed off from my job the day before surgery.  I did not have insurance anyway.  I applied for Medicaid and was denied- we "make too much money"  HUH?  Said you could not make over $400.00 a month.  That is crazy!  Anyway I don't know what to do. Any suggestions?  Tami

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  • nobleanna007
    nobleanna007 Member Posts: 641
    edited April 2009

    I am sorry Tami, I know it can be so overwhelming but their is lot of help out their and I am sure other's will respond.

        The only ones I can think of is----- The BreastCancer & Cervical Treatment Act. Its for people with no insurance and it gives a broder earning pay scale. American Cancer Society, Susan Komen Foundation. Try to find in you state ask a social worker at your Oncolgist office for a list hopefully they can also hep you.

                                                  Good-luck-Bridget

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  • Lursa5
    Lursa5 Member Posts: 112
    edited May 2009

    Hi Tami.

     I am sorry I don't have any advice for you. Here in Colorado, if you don't have insurance, you automatically qualify for Medicaid. Thank the Good Lord for that one! I can't imagine where I would be if I had to come up with $'s for my scripts, much less the hospital, doctor bills & co-pays!

    Maybe you should move down here. Colorado Spgs is like a great big Boise.

    Lursa5

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited May 2009

    Tami

    I just pm'd you some info on where to check for resources....

    Jule

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  • Hoolianama0508
    Hoolianama0508 Member Posts: 162
    edited May 2009

    Idaho,

    Ask them if you qualify for the medically needy program which has a share of cost. Here in Florida we have that. It is not straight Medicaid.

    My monthly share of cost is $236.00, so once my bill is over that, they will payit. For example, May just started and already my share of cost is met since my prescription pills are $553.00. Any other bills for the month of May will be covered too.

    If they do have it and you qualify, then they will also pay any unpaid bills up to 3 months prior to qualification.

    I know there is a way for you.

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  • wabiwoman
    wabiwoman Member Posts: 247
    edited May 2009

    Tami,

    Speak to the billing department where you get your cancer treatment.  If you are uninsured and in treatment for breast or ovarian cancer, you may be able to get on Medicaid through the Women's Cancer Screening Program.  Here in Rhode Island, if you have one of those cancers, and are uninsured, you can qualify...

    Geena

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  • wabiwoman
    wabiwoman Member Posts: 247
    edited May 2009

    Tami,

    Just seeing that Bridget (above) mentioned what I'm talking about.  It is a Breast Cancer and Cervical?Ovarian? Treatment act passed by Bill Clinton in 2000 or so.  Again, the billing office should know about this and my understanding is it is national, but I may be wrong.

     Geena

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  • nelia48
    nelia48 Member Posts: 539
    edited May 2009

    I'm in Florida, and I qualified for the Women's Breast and Cerivical Cancer Program.  It has paid every last cent of my treatment.  I had discovered a pea sized lump in my breast back in 2001 and just let it go until 2008 because I didn't have the money for treatment.  When it broke through the skin, I finally went to the county health department for help, and they hooked me up with the program.  Once you get the diagnosis of breast cancer, everything is paid.  My sister gave me the money for the biopsy, but that was even refunded after the diagnosis came back positive.  So there is help out there.  Just keep trying!

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  • Analemma
    Analemma Member Posts: 1,622
    edited May 2009

    Check with the hospital itself and see if you qualify for fee reduction based on income.  In Ohio they have a sliding rate schedule for uninsured people, based on income.  Once they have renegotiated your fees, set up a payment plan.  They'll accept a pretty small amount - $30 to $50 a month is typical.  Don't let this be the source of too much anxiety.  As long as you talk to the hospital and set up payments, they don't report to a credit agency, so this should not affect your ability to get other credit.

    Is there a social worker in the breast cancer department?  I would start with her as a resource.

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  • idaho
    idaho Member Posts: 1,187
    edited May 2009

    Oh, Thank you all for your advice!!  I checked into the Breast and Cervical cancer Act and they told me unless they set up the mammo when the cancer was found they cannot help....Man, I wish I would have known that!  Anyway, I have finally got in touch with the social worker at the hospital and she is being so very helpful... I am going to be ok I think.  Thank you again!  Tami

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  • BrittaA
    BrittaA Member Posts: 56
    edited July 2009

    Hi idaho,

    I totally feel for you. I'm a cancer survivor and went through chemotherapy and radiation and so did my father who went through treatments for colon cancer, and navigating insurance, co-pays and coverage was awful for all of us. I did a recent post on my blog (http://www.cincovidas.com/) about managing the costs of treatments that may be helpful for you - http://blog.cincovidas.com/managing-the-costs-of-treatment .

    Hope that this helps.

    Love,strength, survival

    Britta

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  • flfish
    flfish Member Posts: 423
    edited July 2009

    Wow, a lot of information.  Please, keep sending in the ideas.  I had insurance through my husband's work when I was diagnosed last year, but he got laid off.  So, now we are on Cobra.  He found another job, but in order to cut costs, they don't offer insurance.  I am so afraid of what I will do when the Cobra runs out.  I have tried calling and getting private insurance....yeh, right.....I am a 41 year old breast cancer gal...no one will TOUCH me. 

    Idaho, good luck to you.  Where do we go to look up the Breast Cancer act?

    Ellie

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  • lbrewer
    lbrewer Member Posts: 766
    edited August 2009

    Look here:

    http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/NBCCEDP/about.htm

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