> Financial Resources for People Living with Breast Cancer
There are many resources to help those with breast cancer deal with financial decisions. The first place that you can turn to for advice is a trusted health care provider. Physicians, nurses and social workers can all provide information and advice about financial questions. Hospital discharge planners, patient relation offices, patient service offices, social workers and patient navigators at hospitals or managed care organizations may be helpful too. For questions about specific insurance policies, state insurance agencies and insurance companies can be helpful.
There are also a number of state and national organizations that can share information about financial assistance and insurance. Some of these are listed below. Also listed below are resources for help with travel, lodging and medical items, including prescription drugs.
Information on health issues, financial issues and insurance
American Association of Retired Persons (AARP)
Gives detailed information on a range of health issues for people over 50, including Medicare and other health insurance programs.
888-OUR-AARP (888-687-2277)
www.aarp.org/health
American Cancer Society's "Taking Charge of Money Matter"
Offers a financial workshop for people living with cancer.
800-ACS-2345 (800-227-2345)
www.cancer.org
The Association of Community Cancer Centers
Publishes "Cancer Treatments Your Insurance Should Cover".
301-984-9496
www.accc-cancer.org
National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship
Publishes the booklets "Working It Out: Your Employment Rights as a Cancer Survivor", "What Cancer Survivors Need to Know About Health Insurance" and “A Cancer Survivor’s Almanac: Charting Your Journey”.
301-650-9127
www.canceradvocacy.org
Patient Advocate Foundation
Offers legal and advocacy help when disputing insurance claim denials. Also has financial assistance information.
800-532-5274
www.patientadvocate.org
Susan G. Komen for the Cure®
Provides information on free or low-cost mammograms and other sources of financial assistance.
877-GO-KOMEN (877-465-6636)
www.komen.org
US Department of Health and Human Services: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
Publishes the brochure "Choosing and Using a Health Plan".
www.ahcpr.gov/consumer
US Department of Health and Human Services: Medicare
Provides detailed information on the Medicare health insurance program, including Medicare prescription drug plans.
800-MEDICARE (800-633-4227)
www.medicare.gov
Transportation Assistance
American Cancer Society’s “Road to Recovery”
Provides local transportation to and from cancer treatments.
800-ACS-2345 (800-227-2345)
www.cancer.org
Air Charity Network
Provides air travel to treatment centers.
877-621-7177
www.aircharitynetwork.org
CancerCare
Offers financial help for diagnostic work-up, transportation to and from treatment and childcare when a parent is having tests or treatment. Provides information about specific prescription drug assistance programs.
800-813-HOPE (800-813-4673)
www.cancercare.org
Corporate Angel Network
Provides air travel to treatment centers.
866-328-1313
www.corpangelnetwork.org
National Patient Air Travel HELPLINE
Provides air travel to treatment centers.
800-296-1217
www.patienttravel.org
Raquel’s Wings for Life
Provides air travel to treatment centers.
940-627-1050
raquelswingsforlife.com
Lodging Assistance
American Cancer Society’s Hope Lodges
Provide lodging for families during cancer treatment.
800-ACS-2345 (800-227-2345)
www.cancer.org/docroot/subsite/hopelodge
Health Care Assistance (Medical items and prescription drugs)
Breast Cancer Network of Strength
Provides wigs, prostheses and mastectomy bras for women with limited financial resources.
800-221-2141
www.networkofstrength.org
CancerCare
Offers financial help for diagnostic work-up, transportation to and from treatment and childcare when a parent is having tests or treatment. Provides information about specific prescription drug assistance programs.
800-813-HOPE (800-813-4673)
www.cancercare.org
CancerCare Linking A.R.M.S.™
Offers qualified low-income, under-insured or uninsured people diagnosed with breast cancer financial assistance grants to cover the costs of oral chemotherapy and hormone therapy medications, pain and anti-nausea medications, lymphedema supplies and durable medical equipment through a partnership between Susan G. Komen for the Cure® and CancerCare.
877-GO-KOMEN (877-465-6636)
www.cancercare.org
Directory of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers' Patient Assistance Programs
Provides information on how to find pharmaceutical manufacturer assistance programs.
www.phrma.org/pap
NeedyMeds.com
Provides information on how to find pharmaceutical manufacturer assistance programs.
www.needymeds.com
Susan G. Komen for the Cure®
Provides information on free or low-cost mammograms and other sources of financial assistance.
1-877 GO KOMEN (1-877-465-6636)
www.komen.org
Updated 02/02/09
