Financial Aid

Financial Aid for People Diagnosed with Mesothelioma

After a patient has been diagnosed with cancer of any type, the implications of the medical and financial burdens can be staggering. Receiving a diagnosis of mesothelioma is no exception, as victims lives may be considerably shortened and a great deal of legal costs surely ensue. In a patient’s overwhelmed and weakened condition, they may not explore all possible avenues of assistance, which puts additional burdens on their family. Many mesothelioma patients have health insurance that may cover a major portion of treatment options. However, some people do not have health insurance or may need additional financial assistance. Patients should not lose hope, as government and nonprofit organizations can be easily reached for information that may save the patient and their family thousands of dollars. The following programs may be able to offer assistance:

The Health Resources and Services Administration’s Bureau of Primary Health Care provides health care, transportation, and translation services to low-income individuals. For more information, please visit http:// ask.hrsa.gov/pc/.

Another resource is the Hill-Burton Program, a provision granting government funds to facilities, that, in return, offer discounted services to those exhibiting financial need. Visit http://www.hrsa.gov/hillburton/default.htm to find hospitals that offer services to those who cannot afford hospitalization costs.

Medicaid is funded by federal and state budgets and provides a health insurance program to individuals who require financial assistance. It is usually supported by home care services to those who also are eligible for social security income and aid for families with dependent children. Medicaid may provide part-time nursing, at-home aide services, and medical supplies as well. Program details can be obtained through state welfare offices, health departments, social services agencies, or the state medicaid offices. For more information, please visit http://www.cms.gov/medicaid/consumer.asp, or call (877) 267–2323.

Medicare may be an option for folks who are at least 65 years of age and those of any age or who are considered disabled. There are two distinct divisions, Part A and Part B. Medicare Part A is responsible for hospitalization, home health care, hospice care, and nursing facilities that are Medicare-certified. Diagnostic studies, physicians’ services, home equipment, ambulance transportation, and screening exams fall under the jurisdiction of Medicare Part B. For more information, please call (800) 633–4227 (800-MEDICARE), or visit http://www.medicare.gov.

The Veterans Administration can help veterans for conditions that are service-connected, and may even offer some benefits to veteran’s families. For more information on VA benefits and services, please visit http://www1.va.gov/cancer/index.cfm.

The Mesothelioma Research Foundation of America, a national nonprofit organization, offers help to patients and their families and provides funding to mesothelioma research studies. For more information on this foundation, please visit http://www.mesorfa.org.

Another national nonprofit agency is CancerCare, which offers financial assistance in limited grants that apply towards specific treatment. To reach CancerCare by phone, please call (800) 813–4673 (800-813–HOPE), or visit http://www.cancercare.org/get_help/assistance/cc_financial.php.

NeedyMeds is a website offering assistance to those who cannot afford medicine or health care costs by helping them find programs. For more information, please visit http://www.needymeds.com/.

The Patient Advocate Foundation may be able to assist with legal counseling, insurance, financial issues, job discrimination, and debt crisis matters. To reach this foundation, please call (800) 532–5274, or visit http://www.patientadvocate.org. Their Co-Pay Relief Program may be able to offer assistance for medicine to patients who qualify ( http://www.copays.org).

Certain pharmaceutical manufacturers supply patient assistance in 475 public and private programs. Parameters are available by calling (888) 477–2669 (888-4PPA–NOW) or visiting https://www.pparx.org/Intro.php.

The American Cancer Society provides a workshop (Taking Charge of Money Matters) regarding financial concerns during or after cancer treatment. For more information, please visit http://www.cancer.org/ or call (800) 227–2345.

Community agencies such as United Way, Salvation Army, Lutheran Social Services, Jewish Social Services, and religious charities may offer help and can be found in local phone directories. Plus, certain nonprofit community hospitals and state or local service agencies offer programs funded by state and local governments. They can be found through hospital social workers, the local health department, or by calling the National Cancer Institute’s Cancer Information Service: (800) 4–CANCER.

The Internal Revenue Service can also be consulted regarding deductions for costs that insurance may not cover, such as travel, out-of-pocket costs, meals during medical visits and other expenses. Patients can call (800) 829–1040, or visit http://www.irs.gov for more information.

The following include some other additional resources:

GovBenefits: (800) FED–INFO; http://www.govbenefits.gov/
Social Security Administration: (800) 772–1213; http://www.ssa.gov/reach.htm
Supplemental Security Income: http://www.ssa.gov/
Hope Lodge: http://www.cancer.org/docroot/SHR/content/SHR_2.1_x_Hope_Lodge.asp?sitearea=SHR
The Road to Recovery-Patients should contact their local American Cancer Society office.
National Patient Travel Helpline: (800) 296–1217; or visit http://www.patienttravel.org/.