Financial Help for Chemotherapy Medications

Chemotherapy medications can be very expensive and cancer patients and their families may find themselves struggling to pay for chemotherapy drugs on top of other medical expenses. Some insurance companies cover chemotherapy drugs under medical insurance. Others are able to pay for chemotherapy medications under a prescription drug plan. Other patients have no insurance coverage at all, or they have insurance that does not cover chemotherapy. Financial help for chemotherapy medications is available from several places and organizations.

Drug Companies

• Many major pharmaceutical companies have medication-assistance programs for the uninsured. Most of these programs require you to document your medical insurance status, income and other assets. Other forms require you to have your doctor fill out information about your condition and need for the chemotherapy drugs. Most of these programs have a payment limitation program. Once you reach a certain level of payment, the drug company endures the cost for any additional medications. Some programs reimburse patients for medications that were already dispensed. Check with your doctor’s office or pharmacist for information on financial assistance programs through drug companies. Partnership for Prescription Assistance can also help you find programs for financial help with prescriptions. Visit their website at pparx.org or call [phone] for more information.

Hospitals

• Some public hospitals that are run by state and local governments have programs to help patients who are not financially able to pay for their care and medications. If you are being treated for cancer with chemotherapy medications, talk with your hospital social worker about charity care or indigent care programs. The National Cancer Institute’s Cancer Information Service can help you locate information about local programs. Visit their website at cancer.gov or call [phone] for more information. Financial counselors at hospitals can help you set up a low monthly payment plan for chemotherapy in some cases.

Charities and Other Organizations

• Many charities and cancer-based organizations provide financial assistance to cancer patients for medical care, housing and prescription drugs, including chemotherapy medications. Check with your local United Way or Catholic Charities agency for information on what types of assistance they offer to cancer patients. Find your local United Way office in your phone book or by visiting national.unitedway.org. For more information on Catholic Charities agencies, visit catholiccharitiesinfo.org.

  CancerCare offers co-payment assistance for insured individuals who need help paying the co-pay for chemotherapy medications. If you have been diagnosed with breast, lung, colorectal or pancreatic cancer, call [phone] or visit cancercarecopay.org for more information. The Chronic Disease Fund also offers co-pay assistance for patients with breast, colon, non-small cell lung cancer or multiple myeloma. Call [phone] or visit cdfund.org for information on the Chronic Disease Fund’s assistance program. The American Cancer Society can help you find other programs for financial assistance with chemotherapy medications. Some local ACS offices also have programs to help with prescriptions. Contact the ACS at [phone] or visit their website at cancer.org.