financial assistance

There are organizations that may help:

1) Information from the American Cancer Society: (http://www.cancer.org/Treatment/FindingandPayingforTreatment/ManagingInsuranceIssues/HealthInsuranceandFinancialAssistancefortheCancerPatient/health-insurance-and-financial-assistance-outside-sources)

People who have Medicaid are entitled to help with travel to medical centers and doctors' offices for treatment. This may take the form of payment or being paid back (reimbursed) for gas, payment of bus fare, or may mean using a vanpool. County departments of social services in each state arrange for help with transportation, but families must ask for it by talking to their Medicaid case worker.

The American Cancer Society Road to Recovery program is available in some areas. Volunteers drive patients and families to hospitals and clinics for treatment. In some parts of the country, the ACS may also provide some limited help with the cost of gas. Contact your local American Cancer Society office for more information on what type of transportation program is available in your area.

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS), through its Patient Aid program, can help some families with the cost of gas and parking for outpatient treatment. There is a limit on the amount of financial help given to each patient and family for each year. Check with your team social worker about this program or see contact the LLS at 1-800-955-4572 or http://community.breastcancer.org/AboutUs/Redirect/index?h=http://www.lls.org&n=Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

Community and church groups may be sources of help with travel or its costs, too. Also, talk to your team social worker about getting help with hospital or clinic parking fees.

2) Information from Susan G. Komen: (http://ww5.komen.org/BreastCancer/TransportationLodgingAssistance.html)

Transportation assistance

Local transportation

Some people find it hard to get to and from their breast cancer treatments. The social work and patient relations departments at your hospital may have information on local transportation programs. Some cancer organizations also have program that can help.

American Cancer Society's Road to Recovery program
800-ACS-2345 (800-227-2345)
http://www.cancer.org/docroot/ESN/content/ESN_3_1x_Road_to_Recovery.asp

CancerCare's AVONCares program
800-813-HOPE (800-813-4673)
http://www.cancercare.org/

City, county and state agencies can arrange for low-cost or free local transportation for people who are disabled. For more information on these services, contact your city, county or state transportation department.

Long-distance transportation

Several organizations offer transportation assistance if you have to travel far from home for treatment.

Air Charity Network
A group of organizations that offer air travel to cancer patients and their caregivers.
(877) 621-7177
http://aircharitynetwork.org/

Corporate Angel Network
Uses empty seats on corporate aircraft to help cancer patients reach treatment centers.
(866) 328-1313
http://www.corpangelnetwork.org/

Lifeline Pilots
Offers air travel to treatment centers for cancer patients and their caregivers.
(800) 822-7972
http://www.lifelinepilots.org/

Mercy Medical Airlift
Offers air travel to treatment centers for cancer patients and their caregivers.
(800) 296-1217
http://mercymedical.org/

National Patient Travel Center
Offers air travel to treatment centers for cancer patients and their caregivers.
(800) 296-1217
http://www.patienttravel.org/

Raquel's Wings for Life
Offers air travel to treatment centers for cancer patients and their caregivers.
(940) 627-1050
http://raquelswingsforlife.com/

check out http://breastfriendsforever.org they helped me tremendously and generously including a visa card for gas

I know Medicaid provides free transportation to med appts, I'm not sure if Medicare does as well.  Also, you may want to keep a little notebook of all travel to doc appts, trips to pharmacy, or any other travel that's medically related because that counts as a medical deduction on taxes.