$ help for treatment ?

[orphanedhawk]

I have a good friend who was recently diagnosed with ovarian cancer. She just had surgery. Now, they want to start chemotherapy in about 2 weeks. She has a low monthly income and no insurance. Any suggestions on how she can help get paying for treatment?

[alanpvegas]

Very familiar with this situation!  While 'medicaid' sounds great, it's DEADLY for cancer patients.  Most states require a minimum required income/assets not to exceed $2,000.  Further, most won't cover anything outside of the hospital stay (where most require you spend at least 30 days before you can even qualify for medicaid).  So then you are left with also applying for LOCAL aid which is typically the County and they are even more strict.  Application times also take TIME.  

I've found that oncologists won't even want to deal with you without insurance (wether you have money or not.  My mom could not see ANY oncologist in Las Vegas because nobody wanted her without insurance despite attempts to pay).  Only the County hospital would accept her for chemotherapy.

That being said, you will need to find the local or regional government sponsered hospital to see how they will accept here.  I seriously doubt you can go to a private hospital or practice easily.  Remember Medicaid is usally for hospital stays and services, not outpatient chemotherapy (although you may be lucky in your State).  So you are probablly looking for County social services.  

Further she can see if your state has a high risk pool insurance.  It's insanely expensive so it will probablly be out of the question.  What State are you both in?  I can probablly get you more detailed information that way.  Or you may want to contact the American Cancer Society's 800 number and they can provide local resources (although I found them completely useless for someone without insurance in my State...it was a wasted phone call that provided general information).

I don't mean to sound negative about all this, but your friend will have a very bumpy road ahead which no cancer patient should have to endure.  Not to mention the bill collectors hounding her all the time (even with whatever she gets, it will not cover completely...she will have to endure this).  

Bankruptcy will have to be the option for the future.  I don't know how long she has until Medicare, but that's the closest thing you have to a safety net right now.   If you are a close friend, she may want to enlist your help.  Ensure you get everything organized...get an expanding file folder for the bills, etc.  Make an excel spreadsheet to show what was paid and what was not.


Something for everyone to think about during the upcomming elections...what is more important to you...taxes or health insurance?  I don't mind paying more in taxes so I don't have to see a post like this ever ever ever again.  That's what a modern society is all about.  

[orphanedhawk]

Thanks!

[gah_70]

A story appeared on CNN.com just today about a woman who started a group to help low income cancer patients.  It's called the Patient Advocate Foundation.  Their website is www.patientadvocate.org, and their number is 1-800-532-5274.  Might give them a call and see what they can do.

Gail

[gracem]

what about WELL WOMAN"S Programs for free pap smears and Mammo.... that may have helped my sister who was broke and just went to Marshfield Clinic..... also American Cancer Society might make a referral to a resource. gracem

[Jan214]

This is a link to a website that has info about help in California. I did not have a chance to really look it over but there is info about Medi Cal and what it takes to qualify. There are also links to free medical care of other sorts, mental health care if she might need that and don't we all.  There is a lot of help in CA so I think you should be able to find something.   Since you didn't say I assumed she lived near you.  Oh, don't be thrown off by the name of the web site.

Good luck to you and your friend

http://ihatemylife.us/medical.html

[SimplyStar]

Both of the above suggestions are very good, also  Americans are very generous in helping those  like your friend, try to get some attention called to her plight and  see if some funds can be raised from her community.  A whisper in the right ears might just start something.  good Luck  Marty

[crecco]

She should also contact her local Dept of Human Resouces. With her income she may qualify for a medical card. And as Hindat said, she might also contact Her social security office about disability. It won't pay the med bills but it will help with her living expenses. LOL Chris

[Hindat]

Sorry to hear about your friend.  Have her try to get emergency Medicaid. I was able to get it after I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer.  She may also qualify for disability from Social Security.  I wish her luck.