Living with a chronic illness, such as cancer, can be a disrupting force in your life. Besides the physical aspects of the illness, from coping with treatment side effects to being limited in your abilities or independence, there are also numerous social complexities that can make managing difficult and everyday life more stressful.
Your illness may make working an impossibility, which may cause financial problems or add to the stress of paying for treatment. For some patients, the financial burden is apparent at diagnosis, while for others, it builds up over the course of years of treatment.
You may also feel alone while dealing with the hurdles of treatment, testing and doctor visits. Experience has taught you that your body post-treatment is different than you were prior to the diagnosis, but nobody said anything about that. Right now, feeling overwhelmed might be described as an understatement. But where do you look for help?
First, it is notable to point out that you are not alone. Nearly one in two (133 million) Americans live with chronic medical conditions of one type or another, so finding others with whom you can share information can be extremely helpful in not only knowing what to expect in the future while dealing with the present, but also knowing the right questions to ask your health providers.
Still, matters of the pocketbook are often the most stressful, and it is not unusual for patients to feel embarrassed to discuss financial issues. However it is important to reach out before the illness becomes a tremendous financial crisis, said Jane Levy, director of Patient Assistance Programs for CancerCare, a national patient advocacy and support organization.
There are a number of government, nonprofit and private resources available, and many have people available right now to help you sort through your options. It can be as easy as picking up the phone or visiting their website.
If you are low income, you may want to start with a visit to the Medicaid website. Medicaid provides health insurance for low-income individuals and families who meet its requirements. However Medicaid laws currently vary by state so the web site will provide you with information about what programs are available locally.
Patients with advanced cancer may also be entitled to Social Security payments under its disability provision. Additionally, the federal government’s Hill-Burton program provides funds to hospitals for free to low cost services for low income families. Most hospitals have a financial consultant or social worker that can help you understand your options or find other resources in your community.
If you don’t qualify for low-income assistance you might want to check out the many nonprofit and private organizations that provide financial aid and advice, as well as support services. For example:
CancerCare offers a number of patient support services, including financial assistance.
Susan G. Komen for the Cure and Avon Foundation offers generous grants for women with breast cancer.
]]> The Patient Advocate Foundation]]> is a national program that helps cancer patients deal with the financial difficulties of their illness. The foundation’s Co-Pay Relief Program assists insured patients with breast, lung and prostate cancer cover the cost of their prescription co-pays. Case managers help patients explore their options, jump insurance hurdles or who have wrongly been denied coverage.
Partnership for Prescription Assistance is made up of pharmaceutical companies, health insurance providers and advocacy groups who helps cover the cost for prescription drugs. The partnership also helps patients without prescription coverage obtain low-cost or free medicine.
American Cancer Society assists cancer patients with transportation to medical appointments, cost-of-living expenses, and wigs. Its 24-hour, 365-day a year hotline (1-800-227-2345) helps patients and their families with many types of assistance, at times, right in their own communities.
]]> United Way helps people in need find local services. Because it is international in its scope, it is also a good resource for people living outside the United States.]]>
The Lance Armstrong Foundation helps anyone affected by cancer get one-on-one support, including financial and other support services.
In addition to these organizations, there are many other national groups who assist people with specific types of cancer or other chronic illnesses, such as Leukemia and Lymphoma Society , who fall into specific patients populations. The American Association for Cancer Research provides an online list of these support organizations.
The Cancer Financial Aid Coalition has a user-friendly searchable database to help people within the US and living with cancer locate support organizations and financial resources.
The Max Foundation provides financial and support assistance for the worldwide leukemia community.
Lynette Summerill is an award-winning journalist who lives in Scottsdale, Arizona. In addition to writing about cancer-related issues, she writes a blog, Nonsmoking Nation, which follows global tobacco news and events.