Put simply, cancer overwhelms. It overwhelms your body and mind. It overwhelms your family members and friends and changes your relationships. It overwhelms the way that you conduct your life. Though all of these facts are true, it is also true that it is easy to understand and anticipate this. What is often most surprising to those who are going through it is the way that it also overwhelms your finances.
No matter how well financially prepared or insured you believe yourself to be, cancer’s costs are shocking and its impact on your economic situation can be devastating. There are copays that need to be paid with every visit, and even the most robust health insurance coverage will require coinsurance payments that never seem to end. With treatment costs for surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy and other services reaching into the tens of thousands of dollars and cancer prescription medication costing upwards of one hundred thousand dollars a year, it is no wonder that so many families are forced into medical bankruptcy – or at the least end up choosing to forego other quality of life expenses that they were previously able to afford.
If you are a cancer patient in Nebraska who is struggling with these issues, there is hope and help available. A number of national, local, and grassroots organizations have made financial resources available for cancer patients in Nebraska, and the support that they provide can make a real difference. Take a good look at the list below, and do some of your own research as well. You may be surprised at how many people there are who truly want to offer you assistance in your time of need.
Financial Help for Cancer Patients in Nebraska
American Cancer Society Support Programs
Main Phone Number: (800) ACS-2345
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- Nutritional Supplement Program
(402) 423-4888
Provides free pharmaceutical, oral nutritional supplements to eligible patients on a first come, first serve basis as available. Eligibility includes patients who are receiving active treatment or are recovering from side effects of treatment where normal nutritional intake is impossible, patients in remission who are receiving therapy, bone marrow or stem cell transplant patients within the first 100 days post-transplant, and patients in end-stage disease who may or may not be receiving treatment. - Road to Recovery
(402) 423-4888
Offers transportation to and from doctor’s offices and hospitals for patients undergoing treatment. - Transportation Reimbursement
(402) 423-4888
Patient must be actively undergoing treatment for cancer and reside 50 miles or more from the closest treatment center. Provides mileage reimbursement for cancer patients receiving treatment at the rate of $.05 per mile, up to $150, for trips taken in the current fiscal year. Only trips for treatment (radiation, chemotherapy, and surgery) are reimbursable. - The Guest Room Program
This program is designed for those cancer patients who receive treatment on an outpatient basis at a facility at least 50 miles from their place of residence when lodging would impose a financial hardship. The American Cancer Society and hotels offer cancer patients throughout the state and an immediate family member accommodations free of charge. Reservations and time restrictions apply. Advance notice is required.
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Lifeline Pilots Program
https://lifelinepilots.org
(800) 822-7972
Will fly patients with various health problems to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. And back again to their home (nearest airport) for FREE.
Cancer Fund of America
(800) 578-5284
www.cfoa.org
CFA is dedicated to providing direct aid to financially disadvantaged patients in the form of goods such as canned foods, medical supplies and other staples. Patients can receive a monthly “Care Package” free of charge.
Fifth Season Financial
fifthseasonfinancial.com
About Fifth Season Financial: Fifth Season Financial offer the Funds for Living Program, a financial assistance resource that helps relieve the financial burden experienced by many late-stage cancer patients. Fifth Season’s program provides funds to people living with cancer or any other serious illness by using their life insurance policy as collateral. The funds you receive have NO RESTRICTIONS. You choose how you want to spend your money. Pay bills, take a vacation, or give a gift to someone you love. It’s your choice! The Funds For Living Program has provided over $75 million in funds to hundreds of families. Learn more: www.fifthseasonfinancial.
Hill-Burton Free Care Program
(800) 638-0742
This is a national government agency that provides referrals for free medical care at participating medical facilities, mostly hospitals, and helps low-income individuals pay their medical bills.
Cancer Care, Inc.
(800) 813-HOPE
www.cancercare.org
Cancer Care is a national non-profit organization that provides free, professional assistance to people with any type of cancer and to their families. This organization offers education, one- on-one counseling, financial assistance for non-medical expenses, such as transportation assistance and childcare assistance, and referrals to community services.
Avon Cares Program
(866) 505-AVON
www.avonfoundation.orgThe Avon Cares Program helps women who meet the Cancer Care’s financial eligibility criteria and who are:[checklist style=”3″]
- Over 30 in need of breast and ovarian diagnostic services
- * Over 20 in need of cervical diagnostic services
- * Any age, and have been already diagnosed with breast, cervical or ovarian cancer and are requesting assistance with transportation, an escort or childcare.
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