Financial Assistance for Cancer Care
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From the National Cancer Institute.
Cancer imposes heavy economic burdens on both patients and their families.
For many people, a portion of medical expenses is paid by their health
insurance plan. For individuals who do not have health insurance or who need
financial assistance to cover health care costs, resources are available,
including Government-sponsored programs and services supported by voluntary
organizations.
Cancer patients and their families should discuss any concerns they may have
about health care costs with their physician, medical social worker, or the
business office of their hospital or clinic.
The organizations and resources listed below may offer financial assistance.
Organizations that provide publications in Spanish or have Spanish-speaking
staff have been identified.
* Social Security Administration (SSA) is the Government agency that
oversees Social Security, Supplemental Security Income, and
Medicare. A description of each of these programs follows. More
information about these and other SSA programs is available by
calling the toll-free number listed below.
Spanish-speaking staff are available.
Telephone: 1-800-772-1213
TTY: 1-800-325-0778
* Social Security provides a monthly income for eligible elderly and
disabled individuals. Information on eligibility, coverage, and how
to apply for benefits is available from the Social Security
Administration.
Web site: http://www.ssa.gov/SSA_Home.html
* Supplemental Security Income (SSI) supplements Social Security
payments for individuals who have certain income and resource
levels. SSI is administered by the Social Security Administration.
Information on eligibility, coverage, and how to file a claim is
available from the Social Security Administration.
Web site: http://www.ssa.gov/SSA_Home.html
* Medicare is a Federal health insurance program for those who receive
Social Security benefits. Eligible individuals include those who
are 65 or older, people of any age with permanent kidney failure,
and disabled people under age 65 who have received Social Security
payments for at least 24 months. To receive information on
eligibility, explanations of coverage, and to enroll, call the
Social Security Administration. Some publications are available in
Spanish.
Web site: http://www.medicare.gov
* Medicaid (Medical Assistance) provides health insurance for low
income and poor people who are elderly, blind, or disabled as well
as for certain groups of children. Services are coordinated by
state or local government through the Department of Social Services
or the Social Security Administration. Check the local telephone
directory for the number to call. Spanish-speaking staff are
available in some offices.
Web site: http://www.hcfa.gov/medicaid/mcaicnsm.htm
* General Assistance programs provide food, housing, prescription
drugs, and other medical expenses for those who are not eligible for
other programs. Funds are often limited. Information can be
obtained by contacting your state or local Department of Social
Services; this number is found in the local telephone directory.
* Veterans Benefits: Eligible veterans and their dependents may
receive cancer treatment at a Veterans Administration Medical
Center. Treatment for service-connected conditions is provided, and
treatment for other conditions may be available based on the
veteran's financial need. Some publications are available in
Spanish. Spanish-speaking staff are available in some offices.
Telephone: 1-800-827-1000
Web site: http://www.va.gov/benefits.htm
* Hill-Burton is a program through which hospitals receive
construction funds from the Federal Government. Hospitals that
receive Hill-Burton funds are required by law to provide some
services to people who cannot afford to pay for their
hospitalization. A brochure about the program is available in
Spanish.
Telephone: 1-800-638-0742
Web site: http://www.hrsa.dhhs.gov/osp/dfcr/obtain/consfaq.htm
* The national American Cancer Society (ACS) office can provide the
telephone number of the local ACS office serving your area. The
local ACS office may offer reimbursement for expenses related to
cancer treatment. This may include reimbursement for
transportation, medicine, and medical supplies. The ACS also offers
programs that help cancer patients, family members, and friends cope
with the emotional challenges they face. Some publications are
available in Spanish. Spanish-speaking staff are available.
Web site: http://www.cancer.org
* The Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Foundation (CCCF) is a nonprofit
organization that provides information, peer support, and advocacy
through publications, an information clearinghouse, and a network of
local support groups. CCCF maintains a list of organizations to
which eligible families may apply for financial assistance.
Telephone: 1-800-366-2223
Web site: http://www.candlelighters.org
* The Leukemia Society of America (LSA) offers information and
financial aid to patients who have leukemia, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma,
Hodgkin's disease, or multiple myeloma. Callers may request a
booklet describing LSA's Patient Aid Program or the telephone number
for their local LSA office. Some publications are available in
Spanish.
Telephone: 1-800-955-4LSA
Web site: http://www.leukemia.org
* Patient Assistance Programs to help pay for drugs are offered by
some pharmaceutical manufacturers. To learn whether a specific drug
might be available at reduced cost through such a program, talk with
a physician or a medical social worker.
* Income Tax Deductions: Medical costs that are not covered by
insurance policies sometimes can be deducted from annual income
before taxes. Examples of tax deductible expenses might include
mileage for trips to and from medical appointments, out-of-pocket
costs for treatment, prescription drugs or equipment, and the cost
of meals during lengthy medical visits. The local Internal Revenue
Service office, tax consultants, or certified public accountants can
determine medical costs that are tax deductible. These telephone
numbers are available in the local telephone directory.
Web site: http://www.irs.ustreas.gov
* Transportation: There are nonprofit organizations that arrange free
or reduced cost air transportation for cancer patients going to or
from cancer treatment centers. Financial need is not always a
requirement. To find out about these programs talk with a medical
social worker. Ground transportation services may be offered or
mileage reimbursed through the local ACS or your state or local
Department of Social Services.
* Fundraising is another mechanism to consider. Some patients find
that friends, family, and community members are willing to
contribute financially if they are aware of a difficult situation.
Contact your local library for information about how to organize
fundraising efforts.
* Community voluntary agencies and service organizations such as the
Salvation Army, Lutheran Social Services, Jewish Social Services,
Catholic Charities, and the Lions Club may offer help. These
organizations are listed in your local phone directory. Some
churches and synagogues may provide financial help or services to
their members.
This fact sheet was reviewed on 12/4/98
National Cancer Institute Information Resources
You may want more information for yourself, your family, and your doctor. The
following National Cancer Institute (NCI) services are available to help you.
Telephone...
Cancer Information Service (CIS)
Provides accurate, up-to-date information on cancer to patients and their
families, health professionals, and the general public. Information
specialists translate the latest scientific information into understandable
language and respond in English, Spanish, or on TTY
equipment.
- Toll-free: 1-800-4-CANCER (1-800-422-6237)
TTY: 1-800-332-8615
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Internet Resources
These web sites may be useful:
http://www.nci.nih.gov - NCI's primary web site; contains information about
the Institute and its programs. Also includes news, upcoming events,
educational materials, and publications for patients, the public, and the mass
media on http://rex.nci.nih.gov.
http://cancernet.nci.nih.gov - CancerNet; contains material for health
professionals, patients, and the public, including information from PDQ about
cancer treatment, screening, prevention, supportive care, and clinical trials,
and CANCERLIT, a bibliographic database.
http://cancertrials.nci.nih.gov - cancerTrials; NCI's comprehensive clinical
trials information center for patients, health professionals, and the public.
Includes information on understanding trials, deciding whether to participate
in trials, finding specific trials, plus research news and other resources.
E-mail...
CancerMail
Includes NCI information about cancer treatment, screening, prevention, and
supportive care. To obtain a contents list, send e-mail to
cancermail@icicc.nci.nih.gov with the word "help" in the body of the message.
Fax...
CancerFax
Includes NCI information about cancer treatment, screening, prevention, and
supportive care. To obtain a contents list, dial 301-402-5874 from a fax
machine hand set and follow the recorded instructions.
Date Last Modified: 12/1998
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