Cancer diagnoses can bring about a slew of expenses that patients and their families have never seen before. Chemotherapy is one of those expenses normally associated with cancer treatment options. Although health insurance can offset this expense, not everyone who suffers from cancer has health insurance benefits. This may be due to cost, unemployment, and in some cases preexisting conditions that are not covered. In order to pay for chemotherapy treatments, there are several options that the patient and his family should consider.
Step 1
Contact government funded and private non-profit organizations for treatment assistance to help ease financial burden from chemotherapy. The American Cancer Society lists several organizations that are willing to help cancer patients experiencing tough economic times. Visit Cancer.org to find organizations in your area.
Step 2
Check your records for any life insurance policies that you may have overlooked. Although you do not have health insurance, you may still have life insurance to fall back on. Some companies offer a living benefit coverage to those suffering life threatening illness. This allows you to claim some of your initial benefits to help with living and treatment expenses.
Step 3
Apply for Social Security Insurance (SSI) through your local Social Security office. This is supplemental income for individuals who are unable to work due to long-term health complications. You may also file for disability payments, which are based on your work history and Social Security tax collected over the years. These options also offer state-funded insurance coverage, with no preexisting condition stipulations.
Step 4
Work out a payment plan with your physician or local cancer clinic to pay for chemotherapy using monthly installments. Most health care facilities offering cancer care are willing to set up a payment plan with cancer patients and their families to help when insurance is not present.
Step 5
Apply for COBRA health insurance if you are eligible through a former employer. This gives you the same coverage offered through your former employer after the job has come to an end. You get the insurance coverage at the same cost that your previous employer paid, saving you money in the long run on chemotherapy treatments and other cancer care options.
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