Help for children
When a child is diagnosed with cancer, families immediately face a myriad of emotional, educational and social challenges. Adding financial concerns to an already terrifying situation feels insurmountable. According to Pediatric Oncology Resource Center, a website by parents for parents, "Many families of children with cancer experience financial difficulties. Even if the family has full medical insurance coverage, they can spend a large portion of their income on co-payments, travel, motels, meals, and other uncovered items. Families dependent on two incomes or single parent families are likely to experience financial difficulties if a parent must quit their job to care for the child." Obtaining financial assistance requires a good deal of information gathering and persistence.
Significance
Every year approximately 12,000 kids and teens are diagnosed with cancer in the United States. About 2,000 children under the age of 18 die. For about 95 percent of those cases, the cause is unknown. According to the Texas Children's Cancer Center, "The ability to diagnose and treat childhood cancers has greatly improved in the last 30 years...Today, about 75% of the children and teens with cancer in the United States are cured with treatment. Even with this great success, there are more than 2000 children who die from cancer every year." Early detection and treatment stops cancer before it spreads.
Challenges
According to the American Cancer Society, "When a young person is diagnosed and treated for cancer, both the patient and the family enter the strange, complex, and often frightening world of modern medicine." Forms, medical terminology, confusion about insurance coverage and disrupted family life all create a frustrating environment that takes adjustment. Navigating the administrative and financial part of this process requires patience and mental fortitude.
Types: Government-Sponsored Aid
Depending on eligibility, different kinds of financial help are available through government-sponsored programs. The National Cancer Institute states, "Hill-Burton is a program through which hospitals receive construction and modernization funds from the Federal Government. Hospitals that receive Hill-Burton funds are required by law to provide a reasonable volume of services to people who cannot afford to pay for their hospitalization." Information is available at (800) 638-0742 (Maryland: (800) 492-0359) and online at hrsa.gov/hillburton/hillburtonfacilities.htm. The National Cancer Institute also recommends, "The State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) is a Federal/State partnership that offers low-cost or free health insurance coverage to uninsured infants, children, and teens." To find out more about the program requirements, go to insurekidsnow.gov/states.asp or call (877) 543-7669. Check if your state has a comprehensive health insurance plan or a high risk pool. According to the Pediatrics Oncology Resource Center, "A high-risk pool is a state-created, non-profit association that offers health insurance coverage to people with pre-existing illnesses. Federal money was made available in 2002 to help states fund these plans. Benefits, premiums, and waiting periods will vary, but most states with such pools have rules that control what can be offered. " Another program to investigate is Insure Kids Now at insurekidsnow.gov, which helps link the nation's uninsured children with free or low-cost health insurance.
Dependents of veterans may be eligible for help from the The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Cancer Program to receive treatment at a Veterans Administration (VA) Medical Center. Call (877) 222-8387 to inquire about benefits. The National Cancer Institute reports, "CancerCare is a national nonprofit agency that offers free support, information, financial assistance, and practical help to people with cancer and their loved ones. Financial assistance is given in the form of limited grants for certain treatment expenses." Telephone (800) 813-4673 for further information. Some organizations specialize in help for specific cancers. The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS) provides some services to help patients with leukemia and related disorders. Go to leukemia-lymphoma.org or call (800) 955-4572.
Types: Funds and Foundation Aid
Pediatric Oncology Resource Center recommends these funds: Andre Sobel River of Life Foundation (andreriveroflife.org); Cancer Fund of America, (800) 578-5284 or (865) 938-5281 (cfoa.org); Kelly Ann Dolan Memorial Fund for help with nonmedical, uninsured needs, (215) 643-0763 (kadmf.org); The Szott Foundation, which helps one full time working parent stay home with the child diagnosed with cancer, (szottfoundation.org); the National Children's Cancer Society at children-cancer.com; and UnitedHealthcare Children's Foundation (uhccf.org). Ronald McDonald House Charities provide a free or minimal cost place for family members to stay near critically ill children in hospitals. Locate a Ronald McDonald House location through rmhc.org/who-we-are/chapter-search/ or call (630) 623-7048.
Additional Resources
According to the National Cancer Institute website, "govBenefits.gov is the official benefits web site of the U.S. Government, with information on over 1,000 benefit and assistance programs. The web site is maintained through a partnership of 10 Federal agencies and is designed to help users find Government benefit and assistance programs for which they may be eligible." Search according to health care programs, take a questionnaire and determine what help is available for children based on state of residence. Information sites like NeedyMeds provide people with financial resource guidance. NeedyMeds lists programs that offer free or low-cost medicine to patients who are uninsured or underinsured. Visit the NeedyMeds site at needymeds.org. Try Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (medicare.gov/Prescription/Home.asp), rxhope.com, and the Cost Containment Research Institute (institute-dc.org) for additional assistance with medications and drug reimbursement. According to Pediatric Oncology, the Consumer Credit Counseling Foundation provides 24 hour toll-free credit counseling. For help with debts, budgets and payments, call (877) 426-6363 or go to 4-creditcounseling.com.
Considerations
According to Pediatric Oncology Resource Center, "It is important to keep records of medical expenses and insurance correspondence, and carefully read your insurance policy." When investigating insurance options, trace differences in coverage. Inquire about protection against cancellations, doctor choice and premiums. Cancer is a war that could require many battles. Know what the financial deductibles and co-payments are in plans or assistance. Expenses accumulate quickly over time.
Expert Insight
The American Cancer Society offers, "Taking Charge of Money Matters," a 2 hour workshop that addresses financial concerns during or after cancer treatment, regardless of health insurance coverage. Visit cancer.org or call (800) 227-2345 for more information.
Tags: insurance coverage, Cancer Institute, National Cancer, National Cancer Institute, Oncology Resource, Oncology Resource Center, Pediatric Oncology
