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CancerMail from the National Cancer Institute
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* CANCER FACTS *
* National Cancer Institute *
* National Institutes of Health *
******************************************************************************
Financial Assistance for Cancer Care
Cancer imposes heavy economic burdens on both patients and their
families. For many people, a portion of medical expenses is paid by
their health insurance plan. For individuals who do not have health
insurance or who need financial assistance to cover health care costs,
resources are available, including Government-sponsored programs and
services supported by voluntary organizations.
Cancer patients and their families should discuss any concerns they
may have about health care costs with their physician, medical social
worker, or the business office of their hospital or clinic.
The organizations and resources listed below may offer financial
assistance. Organizations that provide publications in Spanish or have
Spanish-speaking staff have been identified.
* The national American Cancer Society (ACS) office can provide the
telephone number of the local ACS office serving your area. The
local ACS office may offer reimbursement for expenses related to
cancer treatment including transportation, medicine, and medical
supplies. The ACS also offers programs that help cancer patients,
family members, and friends cope with the emotional challenges
they face. Some publications are available in Spanish.
Spanish-speaking staff are available.
Telephone: 1-800-227-2345 (1-800-ACS-2345)
Web site: http://www.cancer.org
* The AVONCares Program for Medically Underserved Women provides
financial assistance and relevant education and support to low
income, under- and uninsured, underserved women throughout the
country in need of diagnostic and/or related services
(transportation, child care, and social support) for the treatment
of breast, cervical, and ovarian cancers.
Telephone: 1-800-813-4673 (1-800-813-HOPE)
Web site: http://www.cancercare.org
* The Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Foundation (CCCF) is a
nonprofit organization that provides information, peer support,
and advocacy through publications, an information clearinghouse,
and a network of local support groups. CCCF maintains a list of
organizations to which eligible families may apply for financial
assistance.
Telephone: 1-800-366-2223 (1-800-366-CCCF)
Web site: http://www.candlelighters.org
* Community voluntary agencies and service organizations such as the
Salvation Army, Lutheran Social Services, Jewish Social Services,
Catholic Charities, and the Lions Club may offer help. These
organizations are listed in your local phone directory. Some
churches and synagogues may provide financial help or services to
their members.
* Fundraising is another mechanism to consider. Some patients find
that friends, family, and community members are willing to
contribute financially if they are aware of a difficult situation.
Contact your local library for information about how to organize
fundraising efforts.
* General Assistance programs provide food, housing, prescription
drugs, and other medical expenses for those who are not eligible
for other programs. Funds are often limited. Information can be
obtained by contacting your state or local Department of Social
Services; this number is found in the local telephone directory.
* Hill-Burton is a program through which hospitals receive
construction funds from the Federal Government. Hospitals that
receive Hill-Burton funds are required by law to provide some
services to people who cannot afford to pay for their
hospitalization. Information about which facilities are part of
this program is available by calling the toll-free number or
visiting the Web site shown below. A brochure about the program is
available in Spanish.
Telephone: 1-800-638-0742
Web site: http://www.hrsa.gov/osp/dfcr/obtain/consfaq.htm
* Income Tax Deductions: Medical costs that are not covered by
insurance policies sometimes can be deducted from annual income
before taxes. Examples of tax deductible expenses might include
mileage for trips to and from medical appointments, out-of-pocket
costs for treatment, prescription drugs or equipment, and the cost
of meals during lengthy medical visits. The local Internal Revenue
Service office, tax consultants, or certified public accountants
can determine medical costs that are tax deductible. These
telephone numbers are available in the local telephone directory.
Web site: http://www.irs.ustreas.gov
* The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS) offers information
and financial aid to patients who have leukemia, non-Hodgkin's
lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease, or multiple myeloma. Callers
may request a booklet describing LLS's Patient Aid Program or the
telephone number for their local LLS office. Some publications are
available in Spanish.
Telephone: 1-800-955-4572
Web site: http://www.leukemia-lymphoma.org
* Medicaid (Medical Assistance) a jointly funded, Federal-State
health insurance program for people who need financial assistance
for medical expenses, is coordinated by the Centers for Medicare &
Medicaid Services (CMS), formerly the Health Care Financing
Administration. At a minimum, states must provide home care
services to people who receive Federal income assistance such as
Social Security Income and Aid to Families with Dependent
Children. Medicaid coverage includes part-time nursing, home care
aide services, and medical supplies and equipment. Information
about coverage is available from local state welfare offices,
state health departments, state social services agencies, or the
state Medicaid office. Check the local telephone directory for the
number to call. Information about specific state locations is also
available on the Web site listed below. Spanish-speaking staff are
available in some offices.
Web site: http://www.hcfa.gov/medicaid/medicaid.htm
* Medicare is a Federal health insurance program also administered
by the CMS. Eligible individuals include those who are 65 or
older, people of any age with permanent kidney failure, and
disabled people under age 65. Medicare may offer reimbursement for
some home care services. Cancer patients who qualify for Medicare
may also be eligible for coverage of hospice services if they are
accepted into a Medicare-certified hospice program. To receive
information on eligibility, explanations of coverage, and related
publications, call Medicare at the number listed below or visit
their Web site. Some publications are available in Spanish.
Toll-free: 1-800-633-4227 (1-800-MEDICARE)
TTY (for deaf and hard of hearing callers): 1-877-486-2048
Web site: http://www.medicare.gov
* The Patient Advocate Foundation (PAF) is a national nonprofit
organization that provides education, legal counseling, and
referrals to cancer patients and survivors concerning managed
care, insurance, financial issues, job discrimination, and debt
crisis matters.
Telephone: 1-800-532-5274
Web site: http://www.patientadvocate.org
* Patient Assistance Programs are offered by some pharmaceutical
manufacturers to help pay for medications. To learn whether a
specific drug might be available at reduced cost through such a
program, talk with a physician or a medical social worker.
* Social Security Administration (SSA) is the Government agency that
oversees Social Security and Supplemental Security Income. A
description of each of these programs follows. More information
about these and other SSA programs is available by calling the
toll-free number listed below. Spanish-speaking staff are
available.
Telephone: 1-800-772-1213
TTY (for deaf and hard of hearing callers): 1-800-325-0778
Social Security provides a monthly income for eligible elderly and
disabled individuals. Information on eligibility, coverage, and
how to apply for benefits is available from the Social Security
Administration.
Web site: http://www.ssa.gov/SSA_Home.html
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) supplements Social Security
payments for individuals who have certain income and resource
levels. SSI is administered by the Social Security Administration.
Information on eligibility, coverage, and how to file a claim is
available from the Social Security Administration.
Web site: http://www.ssa.gov/SSA_Home.html
* The State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) is a
Federal-State partnership that offers low-cost or free health
insurance coverage to uninsured children of low-wage, working
parents. Callers will be referred to the SCHIP program in their
state for further information about what the program covers, who
is eligible, and the minimum qualifications.
Telephone: 1-877-543-7669 (1-877-KIDS-NOW)
Web site: http://www.insurekidsnow.gov
* Transportation: There are nonprofit organizations that arrange
free or reduced cost air transportation for cancer patients going
to or from cancer treatment centers. Financial need is not always
a requirement. To find out about these programs, talk with a
medical social worker. Ground transportation services may be
offered or mileage reimbursed through the local ACS or your state
or local Department of Social Services.
* Veterans Benefits: Eligible veterans and their dependents may
receive cancer treatment at a Veterans Administration Medical
Center. Treatment for service-connected conditions is provided,
and treatment for other conditions may be available based on the
veteran's financial need. Some publications are available in
Spanish. Spanish-speaking staff are available in some offices.
Telephone: 1-877-222-VETS
Web site: http://www.va.gov/vbs/health
This fact sheet was reviewed on 3/18/02
# # #
National Cancer Institute Information Resources
You may want more information for yourself, your family, and your doctor. The
following National Cancer Institute (NCI) services are available to help you.
Telephone...
Cancer Information Service (CIS)
Provides accurate, up-to-date information on cancer to patients and their
families, health professionals, and the general public. Information
specialists translate the latest scientific information into understandable
language and respond in English, Spanish, or on TTY
equipment.
Toll-free: 1-800-4-CANCER (1-800-422-6237)
TTY: 1-800-332-8615
Internet...
http://cancer.gov - Cancer.gov is the NCI s primary web site and provides
immediate access to critical cancer information and resources. It contains
material for health professionals, patients, and the public, including
information from PDQ about cancer treatment, screening, prevention, genetics,
supportive care, and clinical trials, and CANCERLIT, a bibliographic database.
Cancer.gov also includes information on understanding trials, deciding whether
to participate in trials, finding specific trials, plus research news and
other resources.
E-mail...
CancerMail
Includes NCI information about cancer treatment, screening, prevention,
genetics, and supportive care. To obtain a contents list, send e-mail to
cancermail@cips.nci.nih.gov with the word "help" in the body of the message.
Fax...
CancerFax
Includes NCI information about cancer treatment, screening, prevention,
genetics, and supportive care. To obtain a contents list, dial 301-402-5874
or 1-800-624-2511 from a touch-tone telephone or fax machine hand set and
follow the recorded instructions.
Date Last Modified: 03/2002
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[Home] | [Search] | [Medical Q&A Forums] | [Patient Network] |
This information has been brought to you by
Med Help International,
licenced by the National Cancer Institute as a distributor of CancerNet.