Hi,
I discovered your site by accident, I suspect I may have oral cancer, I'm going to a free screening on April 13th to Johns Hopkins. I have a lession on my right tonsil and on the right side of my tongue.
My problem is that I was laid off at the end of March, I have three children I just gave birth to my last one 13 months ago
I am still nursing by choice Im scared I may do damage to my child if I continue.
I have no insurance Im terrified and don't know what will happen to my children if my suspicions are correct.
please help me with information.
I atleast made my first atempt to find out.
Thank you in advance
Nidia D.

Nidia,
Did you have medical insurance at your past employer?

If so you should still be able to keep it under COBRA since you were recently laid-off. Although, you will have to pay your former employer's group rate cost.

I believe there is still Federal assistance under the Economic Recovery Act to cover about half the cost of COBRA for people who get laid-off. Check with your former employer's HR department asap.

Depending on your other assets, you may also qualify for Medicaid assistance from your State, but try to hang on the your COBRA until you can sort this all out.

Nidia,

The only thing you would have to worry about if you're nursing is if you are taking medications or alcohol as cancer isn't contagious.

Even without insurance, you have options available to you. As Don pointed out, there is Medicaid depending on your financial situation. You may also qualify for your "county" medicaid assistance program. If your county commissioners determine that you have sufficient financial need, the county will cover the upfront costs of your medical expenses. You will be responsible to pay back these costs but payment arrangements are usually very accomodating and usually have the options of large "lump sum" settlements or even forgiveness.

Definitely get the screening and determine if you actually have cancer...deal with the other stuff as it comes up.

Best Wishes,

Eric

Nidia,
Eric is right, get the screening first. I also had no insurance. I got my diagnosis from a dentist visit biopsy and a few weeks later my sister insisted on taking me to emergency for the pain I was experiencing. It may be different in other states but I was eligible for Medicaid and Charity Care thru the hospital. So far, all of my expenses have been met completely. Rest assured that there is help for you financially no matter where you live. Don't let this worry stop you from getting care if you need and I pray you don't need it! Best of luck on the 13th.

Pat C

First thing is you need to find out IF you have cancer or IF something else is wrong. The only way to determine IF you have oral cancer is by a biopsy which the screening may point you to.

IF you have cancer and need medical treatment there are ways to get that accomplished. I personally have helped 2 of my employees within the past 2 years get treated for FREE at Moffitt for their breast cancer through a County program but as Eric said, first things first.

Nidia,

Definitely get the screening done first. Carol went to an ENT who did not charge for the office visit or Biopsy procedure (didn't like what he saw) and immediately referred her to another ENT specializing in H&N Cancer here at Shands. His office assisted Carol in getting a 100% full rating City Contract that covered everything and no requirements for payback. Shands also assisted Carol in getting Medicaid. Medicaid pays for everything and hasn't been denied anything she requires to fight this disease.

There is a lot of financial help out there and IF they find anything they may be able to assist or point you in the right direction. Best of luck.

Linda

These cancers in the head and neck area are very treatable IF they are detected and dealt with earlier -- Otherwise, they are very deadly.

So what's important here is not the money but finding out what you have as quickly as possible!!!

As you can see, there are many alternatives to getting the money, depending on where you live. At the very worst case, you work out a payment plan with the hospital that goes on for a looooong period of time (You make small token payments and eventually they just write it off).