Lung Cancer Resources & Assistance Programs
- Navigating the resources out there Below is a sample of some of the assistance programs available that you may qualify for if needed. ...
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Full Answer
Where can I get financial assistance for individuals with lung cancer?
There are a range of charities and organizations that offer financial assistance for individuals with lung cancer. The HealthWell Foundation provides a variety of disease funds when health insurance does not provide enough financial assistance.
What is the financial treatment program for people with cancer?
Family Reach offers the Financial Treatment Program for people with cancer who are receiving treatment or have undergone treatment in the past year. The program offers financial coaching, connecting people with local financial assistance services, and emergency relief grants. People can contact Family Reach using the following information:
What is the American Lung Association's lung helpline?
The American Lung Association's Lung HelpLine can answer questions you have about tobacco cessation, lung disease treatment plans, diagnostic tests and ways to keep your lungs healthy. Your donation to the American Lung Association helps save lives. Make a tax-deductible donation today.
How can I get help paying for cancer treatment?
Contact the American Cancer Society office at 1-800-227-2345 for more information on whether this program is available in your area. The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, through its Patient Aid program, can help some families with the cost of gas and parking for outpatient treatment.
What resources are available for people with lung cancer?
Support programs include:Lung Cancer Hotline.Toll-free information and referral service.Phone Buddies Program, a peer-to-peer support network.Online support community.Clinical trials matching service.Newsletter.Specialized lung cancer information and educational materials.
What benefits are available to cancer patients?
Cancer patients are entitled to a variety of government benefits. These include Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Medicaid and Medicare. These benefits last long-term as long as you continue to meet the criteria required by the SSA.
How can I get money if I have cancer?
How can I get money for cancer treatment? Grants, crowdfunding, and disability benefits are some other ways you can get money for cancer treatment. Additionally, viatical or life settlements (where you sell your life insurance policy for a lump sum of cash), can be a great option to get money for cancer treatment.
How do you pay for treatment for lung cancer?
There are a range of financial assistance options to help people cover treatment costs. These options include federal and state health insurance, payment assistance programs, and disease funds or grants from charities and organizations. This article looks at what costs health insurance may cover.
What cancers automatically qualify for disability benefits?
If you have been diagnosed with one of the following cancers, you should automatically, medically qualify for disability benefits:Esophageal cancer.Gallbladder cancer.Brain cancer.Inflammatory breast cancer.Liver cancer.Pancreatic cancer.Salivary cancers.Sinonasal cancer.More items...•
Does having cancer qualify you for disability?
In general, any cancer that is Stage IV or terminal will automatically qualify a person to receive disability benefits. A very serious cancer diagnosis qualifies for the Compassionate Allowance program, which expedites the claim for disability benefits to start receiving money quickly.
Does the government give you money if you have cancer?
Government Compensation for Cancer Patients If a person acquired any of those diseases and lived in those specified areas of the Western U.S. during that time, they can apply for compensation. Unlike class-action lawsuits, statutes like this offer compensation without having to prove causation.
What is the Pink Fund?
The Pink Fund provides financial support to help meet basic needs, decrease stress levels and allow breast cancer patients in active treatment to focus on healing while improving survivorship outcomes.
What happens if you get cancer and can't work?
If you can't work due to a cancer diagnosis, you may be eligible for financial support from two Social Security programs. Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) provide financial support to people with disabilities unable to work.
Can lung cancer be cured at stage 4?
There is currently no cure for stage 4 lung cancer. However, certain treatments can alleviate the symptoms and prolong a person's life. The best approach to treatment depends partly on the type of lung cancer. There are two main types: non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and small cell lung cancer (SCLC).
What is the newest treatment for lung cancer?
Atezolizumab is approved to treat some people with non-small cell lung cancer after surgery. An immune checkpoint inhibitor is a drug that blocks proteins on immune system cells which then allows them to fight cancer. Several immune checkpoint inhibitors have recently been approved for advanced lung cancer.
How long can you live with lung cancer?
About 1 in 3 people with the condition live for at least 1 year after they're diagnosed and about 1 in 20 people live at least 10 years. However, survival rates vary widely, depending on how far the cancer has spread at the time of diagnosis. Early diagnosis can make a big difference.
Can cancer patients get free dental treatment?
Free dental treatment for all cancer patients – with an exemption in the same manner as prescription charges; Ensure patients are advised by their GP (who is normally the first medical professional to be aware of the diagnosis) to visit their dentist prior to treatment starting.
Do cancer patients qualify for PIP?
The process of getting PIP is much quicker if you're terminally ill. You qualify for PIP if: your doctor or a medical professional thinks that you might have less than 6 months to live. you're older than 16 and have not reached State Pension age (66 years)
Does your mortgage get paid off if you have cancer?
If you took it out before you were diagnosed with having cancer then the payout you receive can be a large enough sum to cover a percentage of your mortgage or even pay it off in full. Check your policy and don't forget to put a claim in.
Can I get blue badge if I have cancer?
Having cancer treatment does not mean you will be eligible for an automatic Blue Badge. You are able to apply but must have a walking difficulty as indicated on the application form. Anyone holding a DS1500 form will get an automatic badge without payment and this is valid for 3 years.
Patient Emergency Fund
Through the Patient Emergency Fund, Lung Cancer Initiative offers financial assistance to provide support for lung cancer patients to help with healthy food costs, transportation and other non-medical expenses to assist with emergencies associated with a lung cancer diagnosis.
Wellness Retreats
LCI partners with Wind River Retreats to offer an annual wellness retreat designed to support lung cancer survivors by providing them with coping mechanisms to enhance their quality of life while battling lung cancer.
Therapy Patient Assistance Programs
If you or a loved one needs help with paying for your treatment, consider the patient assistance program for the therapy you are taking. Below are the patient assistance programs for approved lung cancer therapies.
Peer Mentor Program
Receiving a lung cancer diagnosis can be an overwhelming experience. LCI created the Peer Mentor Program so lung cancer patients would have ongoing support from a peer who has walked in their shoes. Mentors will share their experience and hopefully ease the stress, anxiety and fear that comes with a lung cancer diagnosis.
What are the distractions of lung cancer?from lungcancer.net
When you're dealing with lung cancer, the focus is often on managing the cancer -- as it should be! However, other distractions can often come up and become stressful and anxiety -provoking. Insurance problems, financial troubles, transportation struggles, and pricey treatments can all take our thoughts and energy away from where we need them the most, focusing on feeling and getting well. While many of us know there are assistance programs out there for individuals with cancer, it’s incredibly overwhelming to search through them all and know how to qualify.
Is the lung helpline free?from lung.org
Talk to our healthcare professionals at the Lung HelpLine. Our service is free and available as often as you need. We are here to help you.
Is there a free online community for lung cancer survivors?from lung.org
The American Lung Association has a free online lung cancer community on Inspire.com called Lung Cancer Survivors for individuals who are living with lung disease s and their caregivers. Individuals register to join the community. Members can choose their level of participation and engagement. This online lung cancer forum is a place for members to discuss how lung disease is affecting them and share their life experience with their peers.
What is patient assistance?
Patient assistance programs provide educational and financial resources for cancer patients and family members. Lung cancer patients meeting the eligibility requirements can apply for food stamps or financial assistance.
What to do after lung cancer diagnosis?
After a lung cancer diagnosis, taking a proactive approach toward your health is essential. However, it can be difficult to take time for yourself when you’re dealing with financial issues.
How does American Life Fund work?
American Life Fund guides cancer patients through the easy, hassle-free process of selling their life insurance policy to help pay for medical expenses and active treatment or eliminate medical debt.
What is the American Cancer Society?
American Cancer Society (ACS) ACS offers educational materials about the risks and signs of lung cancer to encourage early detection. ACS also offers financial support to eligible patients with lung cancer, including the Road to Recovery Program.
Does Cancer Care offer financial assistance?
The copayment assistance program helps cover the cost of health insurance copayments for medical treatment. CancerCare also offers counseling and social worker services and can help eligible cancer patients apply for financial aid from other financial assistance programs.
Does American Life Fund have a waiting period?
We know that family members may need more time to discuss finances, so there’s no waiting period to re-apply online.
Can cancer patients sell their life insurance?
Cancer patients with life insurance policies can enter agreements with a viatical settlement company to sell their life insurance policy . In other words, you’ll receive a large lump-sum payment, and the buyer takes over paying monthly insurance premiums to keep your policy in place.
Americans with Disabilities Act
A person may be able to get help through the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) if they are facing any difficulties with work or discrimination due to their condition.
Social Security Administration
The Social Security Administration (SSA) uses certain criteria to assess disability in people with lung cancer. According to these criteria, a person must have one of the following:
The HealthWell Foundation
The HealthWell Foundation provides a variety of disease funds when health insurance does not provide enough financial assistance.
Family Reach
Family Reach offers the Financial Treatment Program for people with cancer who are receiving treatment or have undergone treatment in the past year.
United Way
United Way can help connect people to financial assistance programs within their community.
Patient Advocate Foundation
The Patient Advocate Foundation (PAF) Co-Pay Relief Program offers financial assistance to eligible individuals with health insurance who require help paying the out-of-pocket expenses of medical treatment.
The Actors Fund
The Actors Fund helps people in the performing arts or entertainment industry who are in need.
What is the American Lung Association's helpline?
The American Lung Association's Lung HelpLine can answer questions you have about tobacco cessation, lung disease treatment plans, diagnostic tests and ways to keep your lungs healthy.
What are the programs that provide assistance to all Americans?
In addition to Medicare and Medicaid, which provide benefits to all eligible Americans according to their age and income level, you may also be able to find assistance programs run by your state or local government.
What is prescription assistance?
Prescription Assistance Programs. Many pharmaceutical companies, pharmacy chains and nonprofit organizations offer programs that provide access to free or low-cost medicines. Eligibility requirements vary, so you need to check carefully to find a plan that works for you. SingleCare.
What is a patient access network?
The Patient Access Network Foundation's FundFinder is a web-based app designed to quickly notify registered users when financial assistance for their condition becomes available from any of the charitable patient assistance foundations.
What can you use money for with an illness?
Depending on the program, patients who qualify may be able to use the funds for medicine, doctor visits, travel expenses and health insurance premiums.
What is BenefitsCheckup?
BenefitsCheckUp is a free service of the National Council on Aging that allows seniors to search a database of over 2,500 benefits programs nationwide, including medication, housing, food and nutrition and income assistance.
What to do if your family is burdened by medical bills?
Financial Assistance Programs. If the cost of medical treatment is a burden for you and your family, you should talk to your healthcare team about your concerns and see what options are available. Your doctor may be able to switch you to less expensive, but equally effective treatments. You should also ask about the types ...
Is the lung helpline free?
Talk to our healthcare professionals at the Lung HelpLine. Our service is free and available as often as you need. We are here to help you.
Is there a free online community for lung cancer survivors?
The American Lung Association has a free online lung cancer community on Inspire.com called Lung Cancer Survivors for individuals who are living with lung disease s and their caregivers. Individuals register to join the community. Members can choose their level of participation and engagement. This online lung cancer forum is a place for members to discuss how lung disease is affecting them and share their life experience with their peers.
Financial Resources for Prescriptions
The following nonprofit organizations, pharmaceutical companies, or pharmacy chains offer reduced or no-cost options for prescriptions lung cancer patients may need.
Government Financial Resources
Programs or organizations put together by the government that provides financial assistance to lung cancer patients.
Next Steps for Lung Cancer Patients or Families
If you have asbestos-related lung cancer or mesothelioma, you may have legal options that can provide compensation to you or your family. The patient or their spouse can file an asbestos lawsuit against the companies responsible for the exposure.
Which organization is the largest focused on cancer patients?from debt.org
The American Cancer Society is perhaps the largest focused on cancer patients, but don’t overlook other groups with diverse menus of services can be very valuable to cancer patients.
What is TANF grant?from cancer.org
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) is a grant program for people with low incomes. It provides monthly cash to help pay for food, clothing, housing, utilities, transportation, phone, medical supplies not covered by Medicaid, and other basic needs . (TANF also helps states provide training and jobs for the people in welfare programs.) A social worker can tell you about your state’s plan, or contact your local health or social services department. You can visit them online at https://www.hhs.gov/answers/programs-for-families-and-children/what-is-tanf/index.htm.
What is CancerCARE?from cancercareprogram.com
CancerCARE is an additional benefit, provided by your health plan, that focuses on helping you through a cancer diagnosis. Through CancerCARE, you have access to:
How does the Cancer Lifeline work?from cancerlifeline.org
Cancer Lifeline staff works to help cancer patients stay in treatment by providing financial resources to help meet basic needs or access medical care, including medications, health insurance, co-pays or transportation to treatment.
Where to send CCAF invoices?from cancercare.org
Invoices can be mailed or faxed to: Cancer Care Co-Payment Assistance Foundation 275 Seventh Ave., 22nd Fl. New York, NY 10001 Fax: 212-601-9762. CCAF will consider retroactive reimbursement on a case-by-case basis for first time applicants actively receiving chemotherapy or targeted treatment.
What is American Life Fund?from debt.org
American Life Fund. This company specializes in viatical settlements, helping late-stage cancer patients obtain cash for their life insurance policies. This isn’t a charity, but it has extensive experience working with clients whose policies can be cashed out. Their website is found at https://www.americanlifefund.com/.
What is the American Cancer Society?from debt.org
American Cancer Society. This organization, founded in 1913 when cancer was almost always a death sentence, has played a huge role in turning the malady into a treatable disease. It offers a trove of information about prevention, diagnosis, treatments, patient support and cures. It is America’s 10 th most popular charity, according to the Chronical of Philanthropy. The ACS has chapters throughout the country and those diagnosed with cancer should consider using its resources for an assortment of needs. To learn more visit https://www.cancer.org/
What is TANF grant?
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) is a grant program for people with low incomes. It provides monthly cash to help pay for food, clothing, housing, utilities, transportation, phone, medical supplies not covered by Medicaid, and other basic needs . (TANF also helps states provide training and jobs for the people in welfare programs.) A social worker can tell you about your state’s plan, or contact your local health or social services department. You can visit them online at https://www.hhs.gov/answers/programs-for-families-and-children/what-is-tanf/index.htm.
What is the road to recovery program?
The American Cancer Society Road To Recovery® program is available in some areas. Trained volunteers drive patients and families to hospitals and clinics for treatment. Contact your local American Cancer Society office for more information on the type of transportation program available in your area.
What is the number to call for food assistance?
Some families may qualify for more than one type of help. For more information about these programs, call the National Hunger Hotline at 1-866-348-6479 (1-866-3-HUNGRY); for Spanish, call 1-877-842-6273. Or visit www.networks.whyhunger.org/.
What to do if you have cancer and need to move out of your home?
Families who need to move out of their homes after a cancer diagnosis should talk with their county department of social services to find out if they can get into low-cost or government-supported housing programs. In some states this may be listed under the health department or welfare department.
How to keep credit in your home after cancer treatment?
To keep a good credit rating and stay in your home, talk with your creditor or landlord about your situation and try to make special arrangements. Family, friends, or church members may be able to give you short-term help if they’re told about the problem. Talk about your situation with the cancer treatment team social worker who may know of special resources.
Can you get paid for time spent caring for a patient?
A few people are able to get paid for time spent caregiving. Some states have Cash and Counseling Programs that can directly pay some caregivers. You can find out if your state has a program by contacting your local Medicaid office, social services, or health department.
Does Leukemia and Lymphoma Society provide gas?
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, through its Patient Aid program, can help some families with the cost of gas and parking for outpatient treatment. This aid is only for those with blood cancers (leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma). There’s a limit on the amount of financial help to each patient and family for each year. Check with your team social worker about this program or contact the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society at 1-800-955-4572 or look on www.lls.org.
