What To Do If You Can’t Afford Your Cancer Treatment

You just have to reach out and ask for help.
Like many others living with cancer, you might wonder how you will afford your treatment and medications. Navigating health insurance also can be overwhelming, and it may feel like a difficult task.
First, know that worries about costs of care are common for people facing a cancer diagnosis. Cancer treatment can be expensive, even if you have health insurance coverage. Being able to afford everyday living costs like groceries and utilities can also be stressful as you navigate cancer costs.
Second, know that help is available. Reaching out for help can be the first step in easing some of the financial distress you feel.
Help Is Available
It can be hard to ask for and accept financial help with your cancer care. You also may be unsure where to find this support. A good place to start is by talking with a trusted professional. Let them know you have concerns about affording the cost of your cancer treatment or other cancer care costs. You may be surprised by the potential resources available.
When deciding where you’d like to turn for support, consider talking to:
- A financial navigator on our Cancer Support Helpline – Our Helpline’s financial specialists assist people with questions and concerns about cancer costs, health insurance, and more. They also can provide referrals to resources that may help with cancer-related expenses. To speak with one of our financial navigators, call our Helpline at 888-793-9355.
- Your healthcare team – Let a member of your cancer care team know about your financial concerns. Ask if they can refer you to a financial counselor, patient advocate, nurse navigator, or oncology social worker at your cancer care location who can provide specialized support.
- A patient advocate foundation or nonprofit organization – Some nonprofits and foundations provide financial assistance to people living with chronic illnesses and diseases like cancer. Examples include Family Reach, the PAN (Patient Access Network) Foundation, CancerCare, and the Patient Advocate Foundation. Search our list of organizations like these that may offer financial assistance.
Social Security Disability Benefits
If you have been diagnosed with cancer, you may be wondering if you’ll qualify for Social Security disability benefits. The answer may not be a simple yes or no.
Here’s how asking for help made a difference for Donita and Diane in their cancer experience:
Donita's Story
After switching to new health insurance, Donita, a chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) survivor, discovered just how much it would cost for her to continue getting the life-saving medications she required.
“It became a burden for me emotionally, and I didn’t know how to ask for help,” Donita said. “Eventually, I was down to my last week of medicine and thought, ‘What am I going to do?’”
Donita decided to reach out to her doctor for help. Within a few days, her doctor was able to provide some much-needed positive news. Donita received a two-month supply of her medication free of charge. “I’m like, phew, that’s a relief, but hey, we still got the rest of my life to deal with,” she said.
As the weeks went by, Donita’s doctors were able to put her in contact with co-pay assistance programs and foundations to help ease her financial burden over the long term. “There was a network; you just have to reach out and ask for help.”
Hear Donita’s Story: Dealing With the Cost of Oral Drugs
Diane's Story
When Diane was diagnosed with CML, her Medicare and secondary insurance coverage helped cover the costs of her treatment. But the insurance coverage "comes with its own costs,” she said. “The medication [cost] is astronomical,” she added. “Like anybody that’s taking oral chemo for cancer, the prices are in the thousands and thousands of dollars.”
Diane decided to reach out for help. She contacted her doctor’s office and nonprofit organizations, who came through with information to help Diane manage the cost of her oral therapies. You have to research, she noted.
“I am thankful for the different charitable organizations that step up and help,” Diane said. “Otherwise, I probably wouldn’t be here because I couldn’t take the medicine.”
Hear Diane’s Story: Coping With the Cost of Treatment
Looking for more information like this? Watch our short video guides about other cost-of-care concerns:
I Lost My Health Insurance. What Now?
Run time: 2 minutes
Learn the steps you can take if you lose your health insurance when facing cancer.
How Do I File for Unemployment Benefits?
Run time: 2 minutes
Learn what you can do if you were let go by your employer or had your hours reduced at work.
10 Tips to Help You Lower the Costs of Cancer Care
Run time: 12 minutes
Learn ways to prepare for out-of-pocket costs, plan for future costs, and more.
Understanding Health Insurance
Run time: 14 minutes
Get a quick overview of the types of health insurance, health insurance terms, questions, and resources for financial aid and advice.
Need Help With Food Costs?
If cancer costs are making it hard for you or someone you know to access sufficient and nutritious food, help is available.