Navigating Financial Concerns Through Your Care
In addition to physical and emotional changes, cancer can be costly. Financial difficulties related to cancer are common. Financial strain and worry can affect a patient at any point in their cancer care. People may experience strain related to testing (such as radiology or pathology), treatments/medications, and follow up care.
Understanding how to get your needs met and where to find help can lessen this burden.
Start by talking with your oncology care team. They can help connect you with your hospital/clinic financial assistance staff and social workers.
Be open to talking with your care team about financial concerns. They may be able to make simple changes to your care (such as changing a medication from brand to generic) that may help with cost savings.
If you are on a branded drug, check with the pharmaceutical company and drug websites for patient assistance programs that may help with the out-of-pocket costs you have to pay for your medications.
Talk with your insurance provider about any resources they may have specific to cancer patients. Certain insurances, such as Medicaid, have programs to help transport patients to appointments (this may vary state to state).
If you are currently employed, talk to your human resources department about FMLA or other programs they may have for assistance (shared leave, Employer Assistance Programs, etc.)
If you are struggling to pay household bills, reach out to the companies/banks directly for payment options while you undergo cancer treatment.
Aside from local assistance, there are national programs/grants that you can apply for to help manage the financial hardships from your diagnosis. Below we have included some resources for charities that help patients with cancer.
Please review eligibility and availability of any grants or programs as these may change over time.
Contact Information | What They Help With |
Allyson Whitney Foundation www.allysonwhitney.org, 845-707-4681 | From the website: “Current and residual medical bills, rent, utilities, car and health insurance premiums, IVF treatments, integrative therapies, travel expenses, and medical hair pieces.” |
Bringing Hope Home www.bringinghopehome.org, 484-580-8395 | From the website: “This is a one-time grant that is used to pay household bills such as rent, mortgage, electric, gas, oil, water, phone, transportation, and groceries. Grant funds are paid directly to services or vendors and are never given directly to the family.” Must reside in a specific geographical location. |
Cleaning for a Reason www.cleaningforareason.org, 877-337-3348 | Two free home cleanings are offered to a patient over a two-month span. |
Family Reach Foundation www.familyreach.org, 973-394-1411 | From the website: “Provide assistance with some essential, non-medical costs.” If a patient does not qualify for emergency relief funds, they may be able to get financial navigation assistance. |
CancerCare www.cancercare.org, 800-813-4673 | Transport, home care, childcare, lodging, pet assistance |
National Cancer Assistance Foundation www.natcaf.org, 866-413-5789 | From the website: “Natcaf provides financial assistance for the non-medical costs of getting a patient to treatment and other living expenses that may be incurred. Breast Cancer or MILITARY Cancer assistance up to two months - income requirements listed in application. Helps with living expenses such as rent, transportation, or bills.” |
The Samfund (For young adults ages 21-39) www.thesamfund.org, 617-938-3484 | Car, tuition, cosmetic/reconstructive procedure, rent |
American Cancer Society (Hope Lodge) www.cancer.org/hopelodge, 800-227-2345 | Lodging |
Joe’s House www.joeshouse.org, 877-563-7498 | Discount lodging list near cancer/treatment centers |
Health Well Foundation (diagnosis-specific) www.healthwellfoundation.org, 800-675-8416 | Medication assistance for certain chemotherapy regimens |
Patient Access Network Foundation www.panfoundation.org, 866-316-7263 | Medication assistance (disease/medication site specific) |
Blood Cancer Specific Assistance |
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The Bone Marrow & Cancer Foundation www.bonemarrow.org, 800-365-1336 | From the website: “Fund helps to cover the myriad costs associated with transplants, such as donor searches, compatibility testing, bone marrow harvesting, medications, home and childcare services, medical equipment, transportation, cord blood banking, and housing. “ |
Lymphoma Research Foundation www.lymphoma.org, 800-500-9976 | From the website: “LRF’s Patient Aid Grants provides limited financial assistance to lymphoma patients who are uninsured or have adequate medical insurance but struggle to pay for expenses related to their lymphoma treatment, such as medical bills, transportation costs to get to and from treatment, lodging expenses during treatment, and childcare costs while they are at treatment.” |
Brain/CNS |
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Mission4Maureen www.mission4maureen.org, 440-840-6497 | From the website: "Examples of bills we have paid are rent, mortgage, electric, gas, phone, car payments, insurance, taxes, doctor bills, hospital bills, credit cards, loans, and more!” |
Breast Cancer |
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Komen | From the website: “Must be in treatment or stage IV (endocrine therapy counts) below 300% of federal poverty limit. Stage O-3 $500, Stage IV $750. Can only receive this once per calendar year.” |
The Pink Fund | From the website: “Requires a loss or decrease of income after diagnosis, 500% poverty level income cap, active treatment. Will help with costs such as rent and living expenses.” |
Ovarian |
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Patient Advocate Foundation www.patientadvocate.org, 800-532-5274 | Non-medical expenses that may hinder patients from receiving the treatment and care they need |
Sarcoma |
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Sarcoma Alliance | A resource list for Sarcoma patients |
Iris Resources
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