Financial Issues

Knowing your insurance plan and the costs of medication may be helpful in choosing which treatment options are best for you. Sometimes you may need to work with your insurance company to make sure certain treatments are covered (paid for) under your plan. Chemotherapy can be costly, but there are many resources that provide financial aid.

People who have no health insurance or have problems with their insurance face special barriers to getting quality cancer care. But, while finding care when you do not have insurance coverage is difficult, it is not impossible. If you need help paying for your medications, there are several options available. First, your state may have a pharmaceutical assistance program that will help you pay for the drugs you need. Also, most of the large drug companies have what is called an “Indigent Drug Program.” These programs help provide medications to people who cannot afford them. Individuals cannot apply directly for these programs. However, your doctor, nurse, or social worker can contact them and help get your drug costs covered.

Contact your local or state department on aging to see if such a program is available in your state. In addition, contact Needy Meds for information about getting medications from pharmaceutical companies. The stories you will hear in this program offer hope and encouragement that insurance problems need not stand in the way of finding and getting good cancer care.

Other financial assistance organizations:

Cancer Care, Inc.

Patient Advocate Foundation