> Financial Resources for People Living with Breast Cancer
There are many financial resources to help people with breast cancer.
The first place 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 matters. 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.
Many state and national organizations provide information about financial assistance and insurance. Some of these are listed below along with resources to help with travel, lodging and medical items, including prescription drugs.
Information on financial issues and insurance
American Association of Retired Persons (AARP)
Gives detailed information on Medicare and other health insurance programs for people over 50.
888-OUR-AARP (888-687-2277)
www.aarp.org/health
American Cancer Society's "Taking Charge of Money Matters"
Offers a series of booklets on financial topics for people living with cancer.
800-ACS-2345 (800-227-2345)
www.cancer.org
National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship
Publishes the booklets "Working It Out: Your Employment Rights as a Cancer Survivor" and "What Cancer Survivors Need to Know About Health Insurance".
301-650-9127
www.canceradvocacy.org
Patient Advocate Foundation
Offers legal and advocacy help when disputing insurance claim denials and provides financial assistance information.
800-532-5274
www.patientadvocate.org
Social Security Administration
Find your local social security office.
http://www.ssa.gov/
US Department of Health and Human Services: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
Provides information on choosing a health plan.
www.ahrq.gov/consumer/cc/cc060308.htm
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 limited financial help to cover treatment-related transportation and childcare costs.
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 Travel Center
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
www.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/
Health care assistance (medical items and prescription drugs)
Y-ME National Breast Cancer Organization
Provides wigs, prostheses and mastectomy bras for women with limited financial resources.
800-221-2141
www.y-me.org
CancerCare Co-payment Assistance Foundation
Offers health insurance co-payment assistance to breast cancer patients undergoing some types of chemotherapy.
866-55-COPAY (866-552-6729)
www.cancercarecopay.org
Susan G. Komen for the Cure® and CancerCare’s Linking A.R.M.S.™
Linking A.R.M.S.™ is a partnership between Susan G. Komen for the Cure® and CancerCare. For those who are eligible, Linking A.R.M.S.™ provides financial assistance grants of up to $350. These grants can be used for oral chemotherapy and hormonal therapy medications, pain and anti-nausea medication, medical equipment and lymphedema support and supplies.
1-877-GO-KOMEN (1-877-465-6636)
www.cancercare.org
Susan G. Komen for the Cure® and the Patient Advocate Foundation’s Co-Pay Relief Program
The Co-Pay Relief Program (CPR) is a partnership between Susan G. Komen for the Cure® and the Patient Advocate Foundation (PAF). CPR provides direct financial support for pharmaceutical drug co-payment assistance to insured patients, including those with Medicare Part D, who qualify. This program offers call counselors who personally guide patients through the enrollment process.
866-512-3861
www.copays.org
Partnership for Prescription Assistance (PPA)
Offers low-cost and free prescription drug programs for those with limited income
888-4PPA-NOW (888-477-2669)
http://www.pparx.org/
NeedyMeds.com
Provides information on how to find pharmaceutical manufacturer assistance programs.
www.needymeds.com
Updated 03/21/11
