Not a week goes by that I don’t see a blog or Facebook post asking how to help a friend with cancer. People often suggest many tangible things, but rarely money. Given our focus on the financial side of cancer this month, I’d like to clear up some things and provide a suggestion.
There aren’t many one size fits all ways to help someone going through treatment. Cooking meals is nice for some, but others may not be up to or able to eat (mouth sores can really make it hard to get down a meatloaf). Some people would love a snuggly pair of pajamas, while for others this is just a reminder of their illness. In the end, asking the person what they need is usually best.
There is one thing that almost all people going through cancer treatment will experience: cancer is EXPENSIVE. You may think having health insurance means patients and families do not need to worry about the cost of care. But even those with “good insurance” will undoubtedly feel the financial hold of cancer treatment. There are so many expenses not covered by insurance, that any financial help would be appreciated by most patients and caregivers. Here are just a few examples of the unexpected costs of cancer:
- Surprise! Medicare doesn’t pay the whole bill! It is an 80/20 split – with the patient paying 20% of the bill. At several thousand dollars a chemotherapy treatment, that adds up quickly.
- Co-pays, co-pays, co-pays. You know that $25 you pay when you see your PCP for a cold? Multiply that by a lot – every doctor visit, every radiology test, every blood draw and chemo infusion. And don’t even get me started on deductibles!
- The cost of gas and parking add up quickly too. If the patient ends up in the hospital for a period, add on daily parking costs for the caregiver and money to eat while there.
- Job related costs – maybe the person cannot work and has to take time off without pay. This may be true for the caregiver as well. Perhaps they have to pay for COBRA to maintain their health insurance on top of that.
- Dependent care costs – this could be added childcare expenses or for the care of an elderly parent. Maybe the patient is usually the babysitter but can no longer reliably provide this care.
These costs add up. Studies have found that 62% of cancer patients are in debt due to the costs associated with treatment. Forty-two percent deplete their life savings within the first 2 years of treatment.
How can you help?
With all this in mind, think about ways you can help take some of the burden off their pocketbook so they can focus on getting well. Some financial helpers that come to mind:
- Gift cards for a major drug store for those over the counter medications and supplies.
- Gift cards for supermarkets or gas stations.
- Offer to drive to appointments – and don’t expect them to pay for the parking or give you gas money.
Don’t have money to spare? Take on a job they may not be up to doing so they won’t have to pay someone – mow the lawn, rake the leaves, clean the house. Take the kids after school or offer to help with childcare on appointment days. Have experience with accounting or bill paying? Helping the patient or caregiver weed through the bills and statements can be helpful as well. You get the idea.
When one of my family members was going through a lengthy cancer treatment course, an envelope of cash was anonymously left in her door one day. She didn’t cry much during her illness, but this brought her to tears. Such a selfless, generous and kind act at a time when she really needed it, but was far too proud to ask. It helped take a weight off her mind for a while – and now I hope you understand why.
Carolyn Vachani is an oncology advanced practice nurse and the Managing Editor at OncoLink. She has worked in many areas of oncology including BMT, clinical research, radiation therapy and staff development. She serves as the project leader in the development and maintenance of the OncoLife Survivorship Care Plan and has a strong interest in oncology survivorship care. She enjoys discussing just about any cancer topic, as well as gardening, cooking and, of course, her sons.
I need your help financially for my child Stern Cell transplant
Francis
Please talk with your child’s treatment facility social worker and financial services office. They can help you with services available to help pay for children’s healthcare costs in your area.
Hi, I absolutely agree with you. I know the three main ways to treat cancer are surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. The more accurately a medicine is selected and the better it works, the narrower the scope of its use. The smaller the group of patients whom the medicine can help, the more difficult it is to return the money spent on its search. The less medicine is sold, the higher its cost must be in order to recoup. The more expensive the medicine, the more difficult it is for the sick. It is the sky-high cost of many modern cancer drugs that has generated a lot of discussion in all countries of the world. That is why no state in the world can cope with the task of providing all cancer patients with the most modern medicine. Did you know that, a quote from Wikipedia: “Worldwide approximately 18% of cancer deaths are related to infectious diseases. This proportion ranges from a high of 25% in Africa to less than 10% in the developed world. Viruses are the usual infectious agents that cause cancer but cancer bacteria and parasites may also play a role”, source -https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cancer. Good luck!
I stay with my daughter and son in-law since my mother passed. I was diagnosed with breast cancer and she taking time from taking me to my appointments and buying food. I do get Social Security but it isn’t enough for everything. Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated for financial support.
I’m so sorry to hear about everything you are going through. I encourage you to speak with your care team and ask them for the name of the social worker and for the name of a contact in the financial services office.
Here is a link to an article that talks about how medicare covers cancer. Hope it is useful! Best of luck.
https://www.thepatientstory.com/life/how-does-medicare-cover-cancer
So true about how expensive cancer is. I have a Medicare Advantage plan. I cannot obtain a supplement policy because according to my agent states they ask about having cancer, and one must be two years free of cancer treatment in order to be eligible. They don’t ask many medical questions but this IS one they ask. Any ideas?
Adding a comment to my post…
I planned to switch to straight Medicare plan and then add the supplement. I know you cannot have and an Advantage plan and a supplement plan. Meant to include this in my post.
I got a medical policy with a cancer diagnosis. Can join at certain times. I thought that they could not turn you down.
Once you have passed your “guaranteed issue period” (which is when you are first eligible for Medicare) Medicare supplemental plans, which are all offered by PRIVATE companies can, and do, look at preexisting conditions and apply medical underwriting. The mandates of the Affordable Care Act that protect those with pre-existing conditions do not apply to these supplemental plans. That is why it is best to buy when FIRST eligible. Listen to our webinar series modules for more information http://www.oncolink.org/insurance