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

If you are worried about cancer costs, you are not alone — and you do not have to figure things out by yourself. Help is available. Start with the tips, people, and organizations listed here. 

What Kind of Help Can I Ask For?

You do not need to know exactly what kind of support you need before you reach out. Explain what costs worry you and ask what options may be available. Support may be available for medical bills and everyday needs that become harder to manage during cancer.

Here are common costs that cancer patients and families ask about, and you can too:

• medication costs
• co-pays and deductibles
• insurance premiums 
• no insurance coverage
• transportation, parking, and gas
• lodging
• groceries and food
• utilities and rent 
• child care
• home care

You can also ask whether there are payment plans or programs for people who are uninsured or underinsured.

What Should I Say?

When asking for help, start the conversation the way that feels most comfortable to you. You can keep it simple. For example, you can say: “I’m worried about paying for cancer treatment and related costs. Is there someone who can help me understand my options?”

Tip: If you are a caregiver, you can help your loved one by making calls, writing down questions, and keeping track of names, phone numbers, and next steps.

Who Can I Ask for Help? 

The following resource professionals can help you. If you do only one thing today, make a call or send a message to one of these professionals and ask for help:

1. Call Cancer Support Community’s free Cancer Support Helpline at CSC-867-5309 (272-867-5309, or toll free CSC-867-5309). Our Helpline’s financial navigators can answer your questions about cancer costs and health insurance. They can also identify resources to help you with cancer-related expenses. If you prefer not to call, use the Helpline’s live web chat option: Find the Chat Now window here.
2. Tell your cancer care team that you are worried about paying for cancer costs. Ask if they can refer you to a financial counselor, patient advocate, nurse navigator, or oncology social worker who can provide specialized support with your questions and concerns. 
3. Search nonprofit organizations that may help with cancer-related expenses. 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.

Note: Not all financial assistance programs are available to every person. Some programs have eligibility rules, waiting lists, or limited funding. If you aren’t sure where to start, call our Cancer Support Community’s Cancer Support Helpline and ask for a financial navigator to help you find the next best place to try.

Watch Short Video Guides About Cancer Costs

These videos address common questions and concerns about cancer-related expenses.

• 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.

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.”

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.”

Cancer costs can feel scary, but asking for help early can open doors to support you may not know about yet. You do not have to figure this out alone.