Financial Help Programs for Cancer Patients

Are you looking for free financial help for cancer patients?

Organizations that help cancer patients financially.   Cancer is devastating, and everyone knows someone this disease has touched.  However, some groups help patients with medical bills and basic living needs. You may also be looking for groups that help financially with bills related to your treatment.

A support team is essential to help you manage your day-to-day living while getting treatment.  Thankfully, many charities and drug companies will support you financially as you get well.  Find out where to find financial help with Cancer bills.

Organizations That Help Cancer Patients Financially

Cancer has the potential to incur unbearable economic burdens on the patients affected, especially for those with inadequate or no insurance policy. This is because treating cancer is expensive; it gobbles up savings and wastes even the best-laid financial backups.

Therefore, a cancer diagnosis, many a time, probably frightens or confuses families.  However, there are many organizations with programs that assist cancer patients in coping with the cost of healthcare.  If you are battling cancer, emotional, physical, and financial support is available.  

They range from State-subsidized programs and charities to community-based agencies.  The lists of these agencies continue to grow.  If you are diagnosed with cancer, do not delay discussing your financial limitations with your doctor. Indeed, the doctor is better positioned to refer you to one or many of these organizations.

Cancer Care Organization

Founded in 1944, they are the leading national agency providing free information, financial assistance, and professional support to cancer patients. Services include phone, in-person or online counseling by cancer experts.

The financial support includes,

• Home care
• Childcare
• Transportations
• Insurance co-payment assistance for chemotherapy and targeted treatments

800-813-4673
info@cancercare.org.
866-55-COPAY (866-552-6729)

The Samfund

They provide low-income grants twice a year to young, disadvantaged cancer patients. Likewise, they offer education and online support. The targeted age group is between 21 to 39 years old.   Note that the organization does not provide emergency support outside the grant cycles.  The financial support is in the form of,

• Medical bills
• Transportation
• Housing
• Legal expenses
• living expenses
• medical costs

617-938-3484
Fax: 866-496-8070
Website

Organizations That Help Pay Medical Bills

AVON Cares Program for Women Facing Cancer

The program is under CancerCare management. It provides financial support to underinsured, poor, and underserved women across the United States.  They primarily target women undergoing treatment for cervical cancer and breast cancer. The assistance is in the form of the following:

• Home care,
• Counseling
• Support groups
• Transportation
• Childcare
• Financial assistance with co-pays for chemo

800-813-4673
info@cancercare.org
Website

Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Foundation (CCCF)

It is a non-profit organization that provides advocacy, peer support, information, and financial support to families with children who have cancer. Based in New York City, it has been in existence for the past 11 years, helping kids worldwide.

The organization help families get through the trying times when a child is diagnosed with cancer. It stands by the family throughout the stages, from discovery to treatment, and healing.

800-366-2223
info@candlelightersnyc.org
Website

Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS)

The organization provides financial aid to leukemia patients with Hodgkin’s lymphoma, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, or multiple myeloma.   The patient Aid Program provides a $100 stipend to eligible patients with blood cancer.

Their Urgent Need Program helps patients enroll in clinical trials and provides financial assistance with rent, mortgage, lodging, utilities, childcare, eldercare, transportation, and food.

800-955-4572
Website

Jill’s Wish Foundation Inc.

The foundation provides grants to cover non-medical expenses for living, housing (mortgage or rent), car payments, and utility bills. The donations are up to $1,500. The bills are paid directly to the landlord, utility company, housing lender, and auto loan holder. The foundation mainly targets newly diagnosed breast cancer patients or those with terminal breast cancer.

Jill and Bart Conley started the foundation. Jill was in stage IV breast cancer in her early 30s. The couple experienced how disrupting a cancer diagnosis can be. It wreaked havoc on their finances, and they realized cancer patients must be going through a lot, especially those on the low end.

Jill’s Story

Following a documentary about her cancer journey, she was thrust into the national spotlight. She used her new national recognition to fight for people like her. She leaves her legacy and mission to carry on with the fight.  You must be 18 years or older at the application time to qualify for this support.

You also have to be a resident of Louisville (KY), Central Kentucky, Michigan, Southern (IN), or Cincinnati (OH).  Moreover, you must have received a breast cancer diagnosis within one year from the time of application. If your application is accepted and you receive the grant, you will have to wait for another calendar year to apply again. 

PO Box 7151
Louisville, KY 40257
702-237-9123
info@jillswish.org

Air Care Alliance

The alliance helps with cancer bills by connecting cancer patients with people that provide free air transportation to the treatment centers. The groups have volunteered pilots who fly the patients. The transportation help is also extended to the patient’s caregivers, hospital staffers involved in the treatment, family members, and social workers.

mail@aircarealliance.org
relief@aircareall.org
Website

Hope Lodge

They provide housing for patients and caregivers to come from out of town for treatment. There are 30 lodges in various cities throughout the USA. They also offer a home-like environment where the guests can retreat to enjoy privacy and connect with others.

Contact
American Cancer Society
800-227-2345

Healthcare Hospitality Network

This coalition of about 200 non-profits helps cancer patients and caregivers with lodgings while traveling for cancer treatment.

Contact
800-542-9730

Ronald McDonald House Charities

Ronald McDonald House specializes in providing lodgings and meals for families with sick children.  This allows a family to face the problem together.  This free housing help cancer bills by eliminating the cost of a hotel stay while getting treatment.   In short, it allows the family to show love to the patient, which is essential for the healing process. 

Ronald McDonald House Charities

110 North Carpenter Street
Chicago, IL 60607
630-623-7048
info@rmhc.org

 The Cancer Financial Assistance Coalition (CFAC)

This is a group or a coalition of financial assistance organizations that have joined forces to assist cancer patients collectively.  They collaborate and communicate among member organizations to provide financial resources to cancer patients. 

Also, they link patients to other programs that provide financial and educational assistance.  The coalition also advocates on behalf of cancer patients. 

American Life Fund

Cancer patients are 2.5 times more likely to file for bankruptcy than those without.  As a result, cancer costs are continually increasing. The company helps late-stage cancer patients to access cash from their insurance policies. This is achieved chiefly through a viatical settlement.

Consequently, cash payment from this settlement is then used to cater to medical bills and everyday expenses in case of loss of income or alternative treatment. The company promises a free, easy, fast, and 100% confidential process.

1-877-297-4592
877-684-5770
info@AmericanLifeFund.com

Colorectal Cancer Alliance Chris4Life Research Program

The foundation was established in 2010 to honor the late Christine Sapienza, all colorectal cancer patients, and affected families. The foundation has committed about $1 million for innovation and life-saving research. Most importantly, they result in less toxic cancer treatments.

They have also discovered better techniques to treat early colorectal cancer and breakthrough therapies.  There are grants offered to colorectal cancer patients based on the funds available and the number of applicants.

Helpline: 877-422-2030

Government Organizations That Help Cancer Patients Financially

Medicaid

Not many people can afford health insurance unless assisted by the government. However, Medicaid helps people with low incomes to provide treatment. To qualify, there are conditions one has to meet. Medicaid benefits are not constant; they vary from state to state.  

The quality of Medicaid treatment differs depending on where you are. For instance, with Medicaid, a beneficiary with breast cancer will receive surgery sooner if he lives in a state with a higher reimbursement rate.  Furthermore, Medicaid covers only medically necessary surgical procedures and part of treatment.

U.S. Department of Health & Human Services
Information on public assistance and food stamps
Website

U.S. Administration on Aging (for the elderly)
Benefits for older adults
800-677-1116
Website

Social Security Administration

This is a government agency overseeing Social Security and Supplementary (SSI). The entity provides a monthly income for elderly and disabled people who qualify.  Likewise, it has provided financial relief to the nation’s poor for over 80 years. There are instances where cancer patients can be eligible on disability grounds.

800-772-1213
Or (TTY 800-325-0778)

Veteran Administration (VA)

The agency provides medical benefits that include cancer treatment to eligible veterans. Therefore, veterans’ dependents are also covered. The services are provided at a VA Medical Cancer. So, if you are a veteran or a dependent of one, you are good to go.

877-222-8387 (877-222-VETS).

Prescription Drugs Programs That Help

Partnership for Prescription Assistance Programs (PPA)

This initiative enables several drug companies to provide various financial benefits for cancer patients, including insurance reimbursements, discounts on medicine, and access to co-pay programs.

888-477-2669
Website

Rx Hope

Rx Hope is an online listing to find help find pharmaceutical companies that help with prescription drugs.
Website

NeedyMeds.com

This organization is a resource that helps you find drug programs that assist with prescription drugs.
Website

In Conclusion

Cancer can be a devastating diagnosis. However, many organizations work together to help those affected.  Contact the organization above that can give you the help you seek.  Make sure to contact your hospital advocate, who can help with referrals to more groups that support patients with a cancer diagnosis.