DH is on Medicare now since 7/2011. Is now having some issues that need to be looked into. Bottom line is we're broke. Have cashed in all retirement, pensions, etc and filed bankruptcy. I've attempted search to find assistance or policy to help with co-pays, etc. Particularly concerned about scans and costs since I don't see where Medicare pays any of that. How does one continue to get treatment? Thanks for any info.

CherylR - I'm sot sure if this would help, but you can find out what Medicare pays by calling the number on the Medicare card and you might have a better idea. It is better if you can get any of the code numbers from your doctors office's on the procedures involved - that way Medicare can look them up and tell you exactly what they pay. (When I called, I found out they paid 80%) If you have a supplemental insurance in addition to Medicare, sometimes they pay what Medicare does not pay. What about SS Disability? From reading others' posts on this it seems you can apply online very easily. When my son was in Tx, with no insurance, and no job, facing bankruptcy, and I was struggling to pay what I could, the drug company decided he qualified for free meds. Also the hospital told us we could pay as little as $5.00 a month on their bill. I don't know if any of this helps, but I do hope you can find some relief from all these concerns. It's tough enough just getting through the physical and emotional side of surviving without having to deal with the astronomical costs. You CAN get through this! My son did and he is doing better than ever, now. I noticed on your signature, there was a Clear PET scan from 12/17/10 and that sounds like really good news! Keep in touch and let us know what is happening.

Go directly to the sources. Write a letter to every single doctor and treatment center. Sometimes you will get help just by asking. If you dont ask, you dont get so dont be ashamed to ask for help.

At the hospital where I am treated they have their own internal program. I reapply every few months as the discount is usually only good for 4 or 5 months at a time. You fill out a detailed form listing your income and attaching proof. They also ask for your expenditures and they will figure out a formula. Ive been lucky enough to get a large percentage off my hospital bills. This discount card is not for cosmetic procedures like reconstruction, but my doc wrote my reconstruction was medically necessary so I did get a big discount. He also waived all his charges for me. This also applies for the co-pays on all tests and doctor visits too. My discount varies but usually runs for 91% - 100% off which is applied to my co-pay. This helps greatly as every other month its over $5,000 when I get my feeding tube changed.

Alot of doctors will give help when one of their regular patients needs it. I went without insurance for about 6 months as I couldnt afford $700 a month for Cobra. MY ENT knew the situation and would waive his charges for the 6 months I waited for medicare to kick in. I didnt ask him for a discount. My ENT never said one word to me about it, he would just always write $0.00 in the amount owed area of the treatment page.

Hope you have good luck like I have with asking for help. Dont even think twice about feeling bad about this. The economy has put alot of us into this position. I have talked with many people about the hospital discount programs. Seems like most large facilities have it but they dont advertise it, so you have to ask.

A friend who is a testicular cancer survivor can't get affordable insurance because of it. He always negotiates fees with the hospital down to at least the insurance company rate for his scans and other followup as he doesn't qualify for discounts based on income. I suspect a lot of negotiation like this goes on, but, as Christine says, you do need to ask.

Thanks gals, that gives me a place to start. I haven't had time to research much as I'm always on the fly these days. Two family members on hospice, two kids living with us with disabilities. I quit working part time about a month ago because I was just too tired to keep up with everything. I've looked at insurance polices and they are too high. We have SSD and LTD from former employer. One child is now on SSI. Too many irons in the fire and my brain is truly on overload. Will do some more checking and if anyone else has ideas...let me know. Thank you, thank you.

Hi, Cheryl -
the American Cancer Society site also has some resources and suggestions - in particular, getting a referral to a social worker specializing in oncology. God bless you for all of your care giving. I hope that your weather is as nice in Indiana as it is in Ohio today - and that you can get a breather in the fresh, spring air. I wish we had a flower icon so I could send some virtual daffodils.
Maria

Cheryl, I just got Medicare as of 1/1/12. And I signed up for AARP MedicareComplete Secure Horizons Plan 2 which has a $0 monthly premium. It's through United Healthcare. Call them and ask for one of their Medicare Solutions Sales Reps. This helps fill some of the gap between Medicare but not all. I like the free part as I can't afford the $250 monthly premium to be insured 100%.

Good luck!

Cathi

Cheryl, here is a list from the main OCF pages. Its all different types of financial assistance for cancer patients. Hope some of this will help you.

Financial Assistance for Cancer Patients