Where can I get financial assistance for cancer patients?
Treatment of cancer is very expensive. It can impose heavy financial stress on both patients and their families. If a person is insured, then a part of the costs are covered by the insurance plans but for persons who do not have health insurance, financial aid is available both from government and private bodies and it is also available for those who have insurance but still has a need of more financial aid which covers the health care costs. Cancer is a disease which it is very hard to deal with, so solve the money matters first so that the health comes first for these cancer patients.
Financial help for cancer patients treatment:
Financial help for cancer patients or financial aid for cancer patients:
1. Advice from the Doctor
Cancer patients and their families should communicate about the queries they have about how to take financial aid that covers the cost which does not cover their insurance or if they are uninsured, which organizations should they approach which gives them the most monetary help. Usually, the business offices of their hospitals as well as doctors are the people having more knowledge about this as they deal with it every day. Some hospitals have patient advocates which they assign to the patients to help them direct their health care system.
2. American Cancer Society
The American Cancer Society (ACS) deals with a number of programs to help the patients with financial aid. There are ACSs at local level which provides services depending on the geographic area. These local ACS offices MAY offer compensation or other funds for expenditures linked with cancer treatment which may include medications and transportation. Furthermore, ACS offers a program that aids the patients and their family to deal with the emotional challenges they face.
3. Government-Funded Insurance Plans
There are government programs like Medicaid which provide financial aid to the families with low-income. There is Medicaid in every state and the laws differ from state to state. So the patients should contact their local office to know what all they offer for a cancer patient. In some states, patients diagnosed with cancer and who are in their advanced stage could possibly be eligible for Social Security disability aids.
Another government program, Medicare, offers compensation for some home care facilities. The patients diagnosed with cancer and who are eligible for Medicare may also qualify for coverage of home hospice services which delivers services like medical, psychological and spiritual support for critically ill patients.
4. Private Health Insurance
There are some private organizations and NGOs which provide health insurance for cancer patients. There are different plans and home care or hospice services differ from plan to plan. So know your insurance plan and talk to the insurance agent before taking the plan what all benefits you can get from it.
5. Options if you are Uninsured
Some people are not eligible for government health programs neither are they provided any health insurance by their employers and they opt for not purchasing health insurance. These uninsured people are the ones who suffer the most. Since the treatment is very costly, they do not go for a permanent treatment. The uninsured, whether healthy or unhealthy, young or old should realize health insurance is very important. It makes a person fight a tough disease easily.
