Cancer Care | Atlantic Health (2024)

FAQs

What happens if I have cancer and can't afford treatment? ›

If you are unable to afford insurance and are ineligible for Medicaid or Medicare, ask about charity care and sliding scale programs (fees based on your income) at hospitals and clinics. Some hospitals are required to see patients who are uninsured.

Problems managing the cost of cancer care, are described as financial hardship, financial distress, financial toxicity, or financial burden. Studies show that 3 out of 4 people with cancer worry about how they will pay for the cancer treatment and keep up with their day-to-day costs.

Contact the financial assistance department at the hospital or cancer center where you're receiving treatment to see if you can receive free or discounted medical services or set up an interest-free payment plan.

Where does CancerCare Co-Payment Assistance Foundation get its funding? CCAF receives funding from individuals and corporate sponsors, including pharmaceutical companies and foundations.

If you are not able to work, you might quality for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). These programs are designed to help people who can't work because of disabilities. Cancer is often is considered a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

You may be able to get financial help with health costs when you have cancer. This can include help with prescriptions, wigs and fabric supports, dental treatment and eye treatment.

Because of the disease's severity, with long, difficult, and expensive treatments, there are tax breaks for cancer patients. Of course, to be eligible for tax deductions, you need to meet the criteria.

CancerCare's Financial Assistance Program offers some financial assistance for cancer-related costs like child care and transportation. Both of these costs can be covered by the program for people with any cancer diagnosis.

Unlike other physical side effects of cancer treatment, which may be medicated with the free prescriptions that cancer patients are entitled to, any side effects requiring dental treatment must be paid for.

Can I get aflac if I already have cancer? ›

Any Covered Person who has had a previous diagnosis of Internal Cancer or an Associated Cancerous Condition will NOT be eligible for an Initial Diagnosis Benefit under the policy for a recurrence, extension, or metastatic spread of that same Internal Cancer or Associated Cancerous Condition.

We offer programs and services to help the more than 1.4 million cancer patients diagnosed each year in this country, and the 14 million cancer survivors – as well as their family and friends. We provide information, day-to-day help, and emotional support. And best of all, our help is free.

CancerCare^® is the leading national organization dedicated to providing free, professional support services including resource navigation, counseling, support groups, educational workshops, publications and financial assistance.

Founded in 1944, CancerCare was the vision of Julius Jay Perlmutter, a lifelong philanthropist who experienced the devastating impact of cancer firsthand when his parents, Nathan and Regina, both died of cancer thirteen weeks apart in 1938.

Consequently, more than 40% of patients spend their entire life savings in the first two years of treatment, while roughly 30% of Americans with a cancer history report having had problems paying their medical bills, having to borrow money, or filing for bankruptcy protection because of their cancer.

If you do not want treatment

Some people might decide that they do not want to have any treatment. Your cancer team must respect your decision. But they will want to make sure you have all the information you need to make your decision. Your doctor and nurse need to know you have understood all your treatment options.

Plans that comply with the Affordable Care Act in the United States cannot deny you health coverage or discriminate against you in any way if you have a pre-existing condition, including cancer. So even if you have cancer, your health insurance company cannot kick you off your plan.

According to AARP The Magazine, the total cost of cancer treatment on average is $150,000. However, this number may be much greater or smaller depending on the patient's cancer, treatments, cancer health insurance, and resources. Navigating the costs of cancer on top of the disease itself may seem overwhelming.