Women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer and do not have insurance will have difficulty paying for treatments. The cost for breast cancer treatment can range from around $50,000 to nearly $100,000 depending on the type of treatment that is needed. If you do not have insurance there are various types of programs available to help obtain coverage or pay for treatment.
Payment Programs
When you have no insurance and require treatments for cancer you can work with a hospital to set up a payment plan. Most hospitals have financial departments that will negotiate payments for breast cancer treatments. You can work with a hospital to determine an affordable payment to make each month. The hospital may even allow you to defer payments for a short time.
Medicaid
When you have been diagnosed with breast cancer and cannot afford treatment the federal and state Medicaid program may be available. Medicaid is federally funded but administered by each state, which sets its own guidelines and eligibility requirements. If you meet your state's income requirements you may be eligible to receive health care provided by Medicaid. When you become eligible for coverage Medicaid payments are sent directly to your health care provider. Some states may require a small co-payment amount for certain services depending on the rules for a particular state.
Medicare
You may also have the option of enrolling for Medicare to help pay for the costs of receiving breast cancer treatment. Medicare is a federal program that offers health insurance to individuals who meet requirements for eligibility. You are typically eligible for Medicare if you are currently disabled or have reached the age of 65. Medicare has two parts that are referred to Part A and Part B. No premiums are required for Part A ,which covers inpatient care at a hospital. You will need to pay a monthly premium for Part B, which covers doctor's services and outpatient care. Monthly premiums will also be required for prescription drug coverage.
State High Risk Insurance Pools
Many states have high-risk insurance pools for individuals that cannot obtain health insurance from the standard market. If you have been denied health insurance because of a pre-existing condition, such as being diagnosed with breast cancer, a high risk insurance pool may be a viable option to consider. You will pay a higher premium for coverage but state high risk pools do not deny coverage for a pre-existing condition. The premium that you will pay is typically twice the lowest premium amount for a health insurance policy from a private insurance company.
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