Learn About Financial Resources to Help Manage the Cost of Cancer.
If you’ve been diagnosed with cancer or another life-threatening illness, you need to focus on your health.
But sometimes that can feel impossible when you’re saddled by an influx of cancer bills.
Organizations and charities that help cancer patients financially can help with medical bills, other costs associated with cancer treatment, and more (maybe even a dream vacation!).
At American Life Fund, every day we help cancer patients like you get access to cash quickly through viatical settlements and other resources.
Here are 7 charities and organizations that help cancer patients financially, as well as provide other support and resources (even if a viatical settlement isn’t right for you).
The US Department of Health & Human Services provides educational resources about cancer that are designed to help survivors, people who live in rural communities, and other strained demographics.
And in terms of financial aid, this department offers a range of helpful services for people who have financial difficulties due to cancer or other hardships, including food stamps and financial assistance.
The HHS website is full of helpful resources, including ways to contact local social workers.
These direct financial assistance programs are typically sponsored by pharmaceutical companies and aim to offer financial aid to people battling cancer who don’t have health insurance coverage.
They can provide low-cost access to prescription drugs and get help paying for other medical expenses for cancer patients.
Some organizations that help with the cost of pharmaceutical drugs are:
- PPA: Partnerships For Prescription Assistance
- NeedyMeds Drug Discount Card
- Medicine Assistance Tool
CancerCare has two main programs designed to help ease the financial burden on cancer patients:
1)The financial assistance program is designed to help offset costs that are related to a long-term illness, such as transportation, child care, and medical supplies.
2) The co-payment assistance program helps with covering the cost of insurance copays for cancer treatment. While the Affordable Care Act and Medicaid can help to make health care less expensive, medical bills can still pile up.
On top of financial assistance, this group also offers other local resources like access to financial counselors, education, and support groups. There are even social workers who can help you find and apply for financial assistance from other groups and advocacy organizations.
As one of the most famous organizations that help those struggling with cancer, this non-profit organization focuses on educating people about the warning signs of cancer, from breast cancer to leukemia to pancreatic cancer, and hopes to use their web site and other sources to educate people about early detection of cancer.
When it comes to financial support, the American Cancer Society has a few financial assistance programs. For example, in regions with the Road to Recovery Program, patients can access free rides from volunteers to hospitals and clinics.
Additionally, this group may be able to help people get low-cost lodging near their cancer treatment center. American Cancer Society can also help people find local financial resources in their community.
Most communities have faith-based organizations that are willing to help cancer patients and others with rent assistance, grocery money, utility bills, and related costs.
Some nationwide nonprofit organizations include Catholic Charities, Lutheran Social Services, and Jewish Family Services, among others. Small local churches are also sometimes able to help.
Typically, being a member of the church is not one of the eligibility requirements.
When someone is going through cancer treatment or receiving associated medical care, they most likely want a family member nearby.
But if the health care provider or treatment center is far from home, the family will have to find lodging, which can be expensive.
Fortunately, the Ronald McDonald House website states that they offer families lodging for just $25 per night and can offer direct financial support for families who can’t pay.
Having family close by is important during trying times, especially for young people and whether it’s a diagnosis of cancer or other serious health care concerns, families can stick together with this organization.
Other organizations help cancer patients financially:
- PAN Foundation (offers financial grants to struggling cancer patients)
- National Cancer Assistance Foundation (offers financial assistance to struggling cancer patients; patients in the following states are not eligible: AR, IA, MI, OR )
- Headstrong Foundation (offers financial grants to struggling cancer patients)
- Family Reach (provides emergency financial relief to cancer patients)
- The Jadyn Fred Foundation (offers financial assistance to struggling cancer patients)
- Cancer Lifeline (offers financial assistance to struggling cancer patients)
- The SamFund (provides grants to young adult cancer survivors)
- Cancer Family Relief Fund (offers limited financial assistance to parents facing cancer)
- CancerCare (offers diagnosis-specific co-pay financial assistance to cancer patients)
- Patient Advocate Foundation (offers diagnosis-specific co-pay financial assistance to cancer patients)
- Healthwell Foundation (offers diagnosis-specific co-pay financial assistance to cancer patients)
- Good Days (offers financial assistance for treatment medications to cancer patients with certain diagnoses)
- Cancer Financial Assistance Coalition (this is a tool that connects cancer patients with financial assistance resources, based on geographic location and diagnosis)
- American Cancer Society ( this is a general resource to help cancer patients get connected with financial assistance resources)
Additionally, here are some more financial assistance and free money programs we recommend based on the specific type of cancer type you have, including:
Bile Duct Cancer:
- PAN Foundation Bile Duct Cancer Fund (available to Medicare patients only)
- PAF Copay Relief Fund for Bile Duct Cancer (available to patients with Medicare, Medicaid, or Tricare only)
- CancerCare Co-payment Assistance Fund (available to patients with Medicare, Medicaid, or Tricare only)
Breast Cancer
Colon Cancer
- Fighters 4Life Cancer Financial Assistance Fund
- Meredith’s Miracles Colon Cancer Foundation Fund
- PAN Foundation Colorectal Cancer Fund (this fund is currently not accepting applicants, but keep an eye out for re-opening dates)
Esophageal Cancer
- PAF Copay Relief Fund for Esophageal Cancer (available to patients with Medicare, Medicaid, or Tricare only)
- HNC Living Assistance Fund
- The Assistance Fund: Head and Neck Cancer Copay Program
Lung Cancer
- PAN Foundation Lung Cancer Fund
- Healthwell Foundation Small Cell Lung Cancer Medicare Access Fund (this is a copay fund that is only eligible to Medicare patients)
- The Assistance Fund: Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Copay Program
Multiple Myeloma
- Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Urgent Need Fund (fund is available to individuals diagnosed with a blood cancer, including multiple myeloma)
- Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Co-pay Assistance Program (program is available to individuals diagnosed with a blood cancer, including multiple myeloma)
- Patient Advocate Foundation Multiple Myeloma Co-Pay Relief Fund (must have Medicare, Medicaid, or Tricare in order to be eligible)
Ovarian Cancer
- Ovarcare Patient Assistance Program
- PAN Foundation Ovarian Cancer Fund
- Here4You Financial Assistance Program (available to patients in the Oregon and Southwest Washington areas only)
Pancreatic Cancer
- Project Purple Pancreatic Cancer Patient Financial Aid
- National Pancreatic Cancer Foundation Critical Assistance Fund
- Hirshberg Pancreatic Program Fund through CancerCare
Prostate Cancer
- PAF Copay Relief Fund for Prostate Cancer (provides financial assistance for copays, coinsurance, and deductibles; available to patients with Medicare, Medicaid, or Tricare only)
- The Assistance Fund Prostate Cancer Copay Program (provides financial assistance for copays, coinsurance, and deductibles; currently waitlisting new patients)
- PAN Foundation Prostate Cancer Fund (must be a Medicare patient to be eligible)
How American Life Fund Helps Cancer Patients Financially
For many cancer patients with a life-threatening diagnosis, a viatical settlement can be one of the greatest sources of financial help.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Viatical settlements are different than other types of financial assistance for cancer patients because they:
- Provide funds quickly, within a matter of weeks.
- Provide large, lump-sum payments.
- There are no restrictions on using the money.
- It reduces monthly bills by eliminating insurance payments.
VIATICAL SETTLEMENTS DEFINED
A viatical settlement is an arrangement in which someone with a life-threatening illness sells his or her life insurance policy for cash.
Best of all, under federal law, viatical settlements are non-taxable and can typically be used for anything you want (seriously, just about anything, even a trip to Rome or renting a Ferrari for a day!).
WHAT HAPPENS IF MY LIFE INSURANCE POLICY LAPSES?
According to the Life Insurance Settlement Association (LISA), more than 710,000 policies are lapsed or surrendered each year. As a direct result, a staggering seven billion dollars in combined face value is lapsed each year by American seniors over the age of 70.
Once a life insurance plan lapses, the life insurance company is not under any legal obligation to pay the beneficiaries if an insured person passes away. The reinstatement process requires good health with proof of insurability and all missed premiums must be paid to the insurance company.
Essentially, the viatical settlement process allows late-stage cancer patients to explore all options before lapsing the life insurance policy because of unaffordable premiums.
Even with a decision to keep the policy, knowing the value of the policy on the open market gives the patient options and financial peace of mind.
Here’s How the Viatical Settlement Process Works To Get You Cash:
- Contact American Life Fund today at 877-590-4088 to speak with a counselor or complete our easy online form.
- Complete the simple application. After the initial, three-page application is submitted, American Life Fund will review all medical records and policy information to verify all the details provided by the insured.
- Receive an offer. Once the insured’s case information is verified, an offer for your policy may be provided. If accepted, closing documents will be sent out for your signature. Next, your life insurance carrier will be instructed to make the necessary beneficiary changes to the policy. Once these changes are made, you will receive a lump-sum payment for your policy.
American Life Fund ensures complete confidentiality and follows any privacy policy under federal law during the entire viatical settlement process.
Cancer support resources and contact information for advocacy organizations will be offered if you choose to decline the offer. There is no waiting period to re-apply, as we understand families may need more time to discuss all options.
WHY SELL MY POLICY?
- Pay for medical costs or alternative treatment
- Premium payments become unaffordable
- Funds are immediate and tax-free
- No obligation, receive an instant quote and three-page application process
- Replace loss of income
WHO QUALIFIES?
- Individuals with late-stage cancer or a life-threatening disease
- Currently own an existing life insurance policy
- Death benefit of the life insurance policy is at least $100,000 or more
HOW DO I APPLY?
- Call 877-226-9836 or apply online to find out what your policy is worth. There’s no-hassle & zero obligation.
- If you qualify for a viatical settlement, you’ll be sent a simple, three-page form asking for additional information on you and your policy.
- Once we receive your forms and verification, you can receive an offer on your policy.
- If accepted, you can receive your funds in as little as 2 weeks. It’s that simple.
If you need financial help, check out the above organizations that help cancer patients financially. To learn more about cashing in on your life insurance policy early, contact American Life Fund directly. We may be able to help.
