Stomach cancer, also known as gastric cancer, is a type of cancer that arises from the lining of the stomach. According to the American Cancer Society, approximately 26,000 gastric cancer incidents occur annually in the United States. 

The expenses of treating stomach cancer are high, including surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and other therapies. Patients not only have to pay for the cost of treatment but also lose income, transportation, and childcare expenses. 

If you or anyone you know has been diagnosed with stomach cancer, you may be concerned about financial assistance options. This blog article will discuss financial support solutions available to stomach cancer patients and their families.

Blog feature image with a person holding a purple ribbon in their hand and a caption that says gastric cancer

Financial Assistance For Stomach And Gastrointestinal Cancer Patients Type #1: Hospital Discounts And Co-pays

Many hospitals offer 30% or more discounts to uninsured and cash-paying patients. For example, California’s Washington Hospital Healthcare System offers a 35% discount.

In certain circumstances, several states may help you access cancer therapy. Below is a list of the most popular treatments in chronological order:

It was created to help ease this burden for uninsured Delawareans. The program provides two years of free cancer therapy for eligible patients with gastrointestinal cancer. Qualifying patients must be residents of Delaware and must have been diagnosed with gastrointestinal cancer within the past year. Patients must also have a household income of less than $134,225 for a family of four. The Delaware Cancer Treatment Program is a lifeline for uninsured patients with gastrointestinal cancer. It helps them access the treatment they need to fight their disease and gives them a chance at a healthier future.

This program approach will give patients access to more first-in-the-nation clinical trials and famous specialists with a great experience. The overall goal is to help improve the health outcomes of patients in Georgia and other states nearby. The program pays cancer treatment centers for eligible uninsured or underinsured people with incomes below 300 percent of the federal poverty level offering reduced hospital rates and copayments. It makes it easier for patients to get the care they require by reimbursing cancer treatment centers for providing care to such individuals. In addition, the program provides financial assistance for transportation and lodging expenses, making it easier for patients to travel to and from treatment centers.

The Foundation’s assistance can be a lifeline for patients struggling to make ends meet. The program offers full or partial copayment assistance for insured patients with gastric cancer. The Foundation also provides financial assistance for other gastrointestinal cancers, such as pancreatic and colorectal cancer. Through the Foundation’s help, patients can focus on their treatment and recovery without worrying about how they will pay for their care.

This program is a national organization that provides financial assistance to cancer patients and their families. The Zip or State Locator can help you find financial assistance programs in your area. These programs can help with medical bills, transportation costs, housing expenses, and more.

Financial Assistance For Stomach And Gastrointestinal Cancer Patients #2: Your Life Insurance Policy Pays YOU (Through a Viatical Settlement)

Even if the United States has government-administered programs like Medicare and Medicaid, you could still be responsible for significant out-of-pocket expenses if you go through cancer therapy.

Did you know that the IRS considers a life insurance policy an asset? It allows policyholders to cash out their coverage for a lump-sum payment, frequently known as a viatical settlement. These funds are tax-free and non-regulated. With a viatical settlement, people can receive up to 70% of their life insurance coverage in as little as two weeks!

How it Works:

  1. Viatical settlements are for people with a life insurance policy and a life-threatening illness such as cancer, ALS, Alzheimer’s, or heart disease.
  2. People with life insurance policies can sell them to third-party buyers using contracts. The buyer will give the seller more money than the cash value of the life insurance policy but less than the death benefit.
  3. The life settlement company pays the monthly premium payments for the insured person. It receives the death benefit when that person passes away.

American Life Fund can assist you if you’re thinking about selling your life insurance policy. Then you must provide the financial strain of gastrointestinal cancer treatment, decrease the stress in your life, and allow yourself to devote more time to the things that matter.

Gastrointestinal cancer patient financial assistance

Financial Assistance For Stomach And Gastrointestinal Cancer Patients #3: Gastric Cancer-Specific Financial Grants & General Cancer Financial Assistance 

A few organizations offer financial assistance for Stomach and Gastrointestinal Cancer Patients in the United States.

Some of These Organizations Are:

  • The Gastric Cancer Foundation Funds patient education projects and cutting-edge research initiatives to improve cancer therapies and eventually discover a cure for those diagnosed with stomach (gastric) cancer. They fund research that contributes to understanding gastric cancer and developing better prevention, detection, and treatment methods.
  • The Stomach Cancer Connection offers financial assistance for patients and families affected by stomach cancer. They know this is a difficult time, and we want to help ease the burden in any way we can. We offer grants to help with treatment costs, travel expenses, and childcare. We also provide support and resources to help patients and families navigate the financial challenges of cancer.
  • Hope For Stomach Cancer is a non-profit organization that provides financial assistance to patients and families affected by gastrointestinal cancer. The organization was founded in 2006 by Dr. Robert Bresalier, a gastrointestinal cancer survivor, and his wife, Carolyn. Since its inception, Hope For Stomach Cancer has helped hundreds of families with the cost of treatment and living expenses. The company also offers support groups and educational tools for people with stomach cancer and their families.
  • The Stomach Cancer Awareness Network creates and facilitates programs that enable those affected by stomach cancer to act and live as well as possible at each stage of the disease. The goal is to stop being necessary and make stomach cancer an extinct disease.

Financial Assistance For Stomach And Gastrointestinal Cancer Patients #4: Prescription Assistance

Pharmaceutical companies offer these programs to help people who cannot afford their medications. There are also government programs that assist with prescription drugs, such as Medicaid and Medicare. Finally, you can negotiate with your insurance company to get them to cover more of the cost of your medication. If you have stomach cancer, one of these programs may be able to assist you:

  • The Partnership for Prescription Assistance is a lifeline for many gastrointestinal cancer patients, as it provides them with medicine at no cost or very low cost. The PPA partners with pharmaceutical companies and patient assistance programs to assist eligible patients financially. In addition to gastrointestinal cancer, the PPA can help patients with other types of cancer and other chronic conditions. 
  • The RxAssist Patient Assistance Program offers a database of over 200 patient assistance programs and tips and resources on how to get help paying for your medications. The program can be a valuable resource for gastrointestinal cancer patients who are struggling to shoulder the costs of their medical treatment. In addition to providing financial assistance, the RxAssist Patient Assistance Program also offers educational resources to help patients navigate the complex world of prescription drug pricing. 
  • NeedyMeds is a non-profit organization that provides information about patient assistance programs and other ways to reduce the cost of prescription drugs. The organization’s website includes a searchable database of over 4,000 assistance programs and a list of free or low-cost clinics. In addition, the site provides advice on how to apply for financial assistance and speak with a doctor about treatment options. 
  • In this earlier blog post, we’ve made it easier for cancer patients to get cost assistance for their prescription medications and other expenditures. Assistance such as short-term housing close to treatment centers, transportation, food, utilities, dental expenses, caregiver’s expenses, and more could further help patients in need.

Stomach cancer treatment assistance

Financial Assistance For Stomach And Gastrointestinal Cancer Patients Type #5: Fundraising.

A good method to support a family member who has cancer and raise funds for cancer research and patient assistance is to organize a donation event. Here are some tips to get started:

  1. First, choose the type of fundraising event you’d like to conduct. There are numerous options, so select something you’re enthusiastic over.
  2. After you’ve decided on a fundraising strategy, it’s time to start. Note the date, time, and place of the event.
  3. Then, once you’ve made your goal, you’ll need to spread the word about your campaign. Campaigning may be accomplished through social media, posters, and word-of-mouth.
  4. Finally, remember to thank everyone who contributed to your campaign. This is a fantastic method of showing appreciation and connecting with your contributors.

CancerCare has a staff of specialists on hand to assist with planning and executing a successful fundraiser. With their help, you can reach out to your community and raise the funds you need to cover treatment costs. 

Gastrointestinal cancer patients and their families have benefited greatly from the generosity of strangers. The GoFundMe campaign is an online platform that allows anybody to create fundraising for cancer patients, scientific research, or anything else. In addition to raising money for treatment, GoFundMe has also helped raise awareness of gastrointestinal cancer.

Frequently Asked Questions About Financial Assistance For Stomach/Gastrointestinal Cancer Patients.

Q: What benefits are Stomach and Gastrointestinal cancer patients entitled to? 

A: Metastatic, inoperable, unresectable, or recurrent stomach cancer qualifies you for social security disability benefits under the Social Security Administration’s guidelines.

Q: What is Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) for cancer patients?

A: The Social Security Disability Insurance program (SSDI) is a government-administered disability insurance program that can help people who have worked and paid into Social Security qualify for benefits. This benefit is only available to persons who are physically or mentally disabled and unable to work. If you have cancer, the SSDI application may go faster.

Q: Can you get financial help if you have Stomach or Gastrointestinal cancer?

A: Yes, if you have Stomach or Gastrointestinal cancer, you may receive financial assistance. You may get everything from assistance with prescription costs to reduced utility bills to grants.

In Conclusion

There are many options for financial assistance for stomach and gastrointestinal cancer patients. Patients should explore their options and speak with their doctor to determine what is best for them.

Hospital discounts and co-pays can help reduce the cost of treatment, and many states offer programs that provide free or discounted cancer treatment.

About the Author: Lacey

Lacey is a compassionate and dedicated marketing director at American Life Fund, a leading life and viatical settlement company. Lacey has made it her mission to help patients with life-threatening illnesses and their families get the financial support they need during difficult times.

See if you qualify.

Call us at (877) 261-0632

Free instant estimate. No obligation.