A cancer diagnosis can leave you feeling overwhelmed. Furthermore, the costs associated with cancer treatment can be daunting to face. The high treatment costs can quickly deplete your life savings. Even having insurance doesn’t guarantee you’ll be able to finance treatment entirely, so the chances of affording the treatment are even low for someone with little to no insurance. Cancer is already challenging enough on its own, and the treatment cost simply ramps up the difficulty level to the most challenging mode.
Fortunately, various financial aid organizations help with cancer-related expenditures. They include government-subsidized initiatives, community-based programs, and financial aid organizations created by close relatives of cancer patients or initiatives created by patients for patients. We offer links to resources to help you pay for your cancer-related expenses.
File A Lawsuit
Before we talk about the resources available to cancer patients, it is important to know that one has a right to sue an organization or company for negligence. This option is available for patients who have been diagnosed with illnesses due to exposure to toxic chemicals at work.
For example, a mesothelioma diagnosis would entitle you to seek justice and financial compensation by filing a lawsuit against your defendant. You may be able to file a mesothelioma case if you have an asbestos exposure history that indicates a potential defendant. There are many mesothelioma law firms that can help you file your claim, research your options and choose carefully,
The lawsuit can help you get compensation for your treatment, living expenses, pain, medications, and lost wages. An average mesothelioma lawsuit settlement is valued between $1 and $1.4 million, while a verdict averages $2.4 million.
CANCER TREATMENT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE BY NGOS
Looking into different non-governmental service organizations is usually an excellent start to finding a suitable financial assistance program.
- CancerCare
People with cancer and their loved ones can turn to CancerCare for free counseling, information, and financial aid. You can browse their website to find resources you need or connect with oncology social workers by call, and they can find the right resource for you.
CancerCare’s teaching tools are also available to health care providers. They provide financial aid for accommodation, transportation, childcare, and home care services.
If you have a pet struggling with cancer, they also have a pet assistance program named PAWProgram, which offers financial assistance for vet visits, pet medications, boarding fees, and pet food.
Cancercare provides financial aid for all types of cancers and is available for patients, family members, cancer survivors, and medical practitioners.
- AVONCares Assistance for Women Facing Cancer
CancerCare’s financial aid program targets women of all ages who suffer from breast or cervical cancer. It helps underserved women from low-income households with no insurance. Patients with breast or cervical cancer may benefit from assistance with transportation, childcare, and home care, improving their quality of life while they undergo treatment.
- Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Foundation (CCCF)
With the help of publications and a nationwide network of local support groups, the non-profit Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Foundation (CCCF) disseminates knowledge, support, and advocates for children with cancer. Its targets childhood cancer and blood disorders.
To help families that qualify, the CCCF maintains a list of organizations to whom they may apply for financial support. Find a CCCF foundation near you or your treatment facility by searching for one throughout the country.
- Patient Advocate Foundation
People with cancer who need help with insurance, financial woes, employment discrimination, and debt may turn to the Patient Advocate Foundation (PAF). To help patients who match the qualifying requirements, the PAF Co-Pay Relief Program operates as a division of the PAF. It’s for people suffering from all kinds of cancer.
- Cancer for College
A cancer survivor created it for other patients who successfully overcame the disease. It provides educational scholarships to survivors; the application process is fast and efficient.
- Family reach
A financial aid program for families to help them overcome financial obstacles. The goal is to help those who have cancer and their families with necessary bills, mortgages, everyday essentials, and the cost of cancer treatment.
- The pink fund
It’s a financial aid program for breast cancer patients undergoing active treatment. It helps with essential, everyday expenses for breast cancer patients. The goal is to help the patient focus on their recovery without worrying about the costs.
- Pinky swear foundation
Our organization was founded in memory of a child who made his parents pinky swear that they would continue to help other children with cancer. Children with cancer and their families can rely on Pinky Swear for financial and emotional assistance. If a family has a low income, they do not restrict their demands.
- Accessia Health
The website helps patients with rare cancers better understand the complex healthcare system. Offering educational assistance, financial aid, and legal guidance, they help with copays, insurance premiums, medication, infusions, and travel costs related to treatment.
GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE FOR CANCER PATIENTS
Aside from the non-profit organizations, the following is a list of government programs that can help cancer patients directly:
- Medicaid
It’s a federal-state health care program that assists low-income individuals and families with their health expenses. People who receive federal income support, such as Social Security Income or Aid to Families with Dependent Children, must at the very least be able to access in-home care services. Part-time assistance services and medical supplies/equipment are all covered by Medicaid.
- Medicare
People 65 years of age and older who are also handicapped or have liver disease are eligible for Medicare, a government health insurance program. Medicare may provide hospice care to those enrolled in a Medicare-certified program.
Administration for Social Security and Supplemental Security Income
Securing Social Security and SSI benefits is the responsibility of the Social Security Administration (SSA) (SSI). The aged and handicapped who are qualified for Social Security get a monthly benefit, while those who are eligible for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) receive an additional payment.
- Program for Children’s Health Insurance (CHIP)
The Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) is a federal-state collaboration that provides affordable or accessible health insurance coverage for children in low-income households.
Medical benefits, including cancer treatment at a VA Medical Center, are available to eligible veterans and their families via the Veterans Administration (VA). Therapy is offered for service-connected ailments, while treatment for all other conditions may be accessible depending on the veteran’s financial situation.
- Hill-Burton
Under the Hill-Burton program, healthcare institutions receiving federal construction funding have agreed to offer specific services to low-income patients who cannot otherwise afford their treatment.
COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS FOR CANCER PATIENTS
- Organizations Dedicated to Giving Back to the Community
The Salvation Army, Jewish Social Services, and the Lions Club are just a few examples of groups in your neighborhood that may be able to assist you financially.
- Fundraising in the Community and Online Crowdfunding
Crowdfunding and community fundraising are two more options worth investigating. If you’re in a challenging financial position, you might be happy to know that your friends, family, and social networks would be more than glad to help you out monetarily.
Online fundraising portals like GoFundMe, which enable families to solicit assistance through social media, are widely utilized for these campaigns.
- Deductions for Income Taxes
You can deduct many of your medical expenditures from your yearly income before taxes if you take advantage of tax deductions.
The following are examples of tax-deductible expenses:
- For medical visits, mileage reimbursement is available.
- Treatment costs that patients bear, including medication and medical equipment expenses
- Meals for patients who are in the hospital for a long time
Final Thoughts
A cancer diagnosis can be frightening and distressing enough without worrying about financial commitments. Fortunately, several initiatives and organizations are available to aid in navigating the healthcare system and providing financial support.
Cancer patients and their families face additional stress due to financial difficulties.
NGO initiatives, government-sponsored initiatives, and community-based services can help reduce some of the costs associated with the fight against cancer. There is a wide range of cancer and chronic illness support groups, some of which focus on a particular disease or geographic area. In addition, be honest with your healthcare professional about your financial situation since they may recommend you to cancer charities for financial support.
