Published Mar 22, 2023

Where Cancer Caregivers Can Get Help With Finances: Coping With the Bills

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Navigating the Cost of Cancer Treatment

Navigating the costs of cancer treatment can be incredibly stressful for both the patient and you, the caregiver.
Experts recommend seeking the assistance of a social worker or patient navigator (who will likely be associated with the treatment center) for guidance on what assistance programs may be available in your situation.
Some states offer compensation for caregivers who need to take time off of work to help a loved one. There are also many government programs available to people who are struggling financially due to cancer treatment.

When a loved one like a spouse, parent, or child is facing cancer, it’s natural to want to assist in any way you can. Figuring out finances can be a particularly stressful part of the cancer journey. As a caregiver, you may have been told that there are programs in place that can help your loved one pay for treatment (and other aspects of living with cancer), but it’s often difficult to find these resources or get solid information about how to use them.

In some states, you may even be able to receive compensation for taking on the role of caregiver if you need to take time off from your normal work. However, it can be frustrating to find and sift through all these programs trying to gauge which, if any, you are eligible for.

If your loved one is being treated at a cancer center, you may be able to enlist the help of a social worker or patient navigator who can assist in several areas, including with finances.

Meanwhile, when you're a caregiver, it's important to ensure you're taking care of yourself, too. And if your loved one has just been diagnosed and you are just starting your journey as a caregiver, here are the first steps you should take.

How a Social Worker/Patient Navigator Can Help After a Cancer Diagnosis

Sarah Stapleton, a clinical social worker at Montefiore Medical Center, told SurvivorNet that her primary role as a social worker is to advocate for patient needs in several different areas.

“It’s super important to see a social worker,” Stapleton said. “I think there’s a networking that they can assist you with and they really have the strongest knowledge of the resources available to get you through the process … with social work, one of the primary roles is advocacy.

Clinical social worker Sarah Stapleton explains how she helps patients navigate treatment.

“It’s meeting the patient and understanding the patient’s needs and understanding what it is you need in this very moment, whether that be financial resources, whether it be related to your insurance, transportation, or ultimately, the emotional process of getting through cancer treatment,” she added.

Help With the Finances During Cancer

Even with the help of a social worker or patient advocate, navigating finances and figuring out what will be covered by insurance and what won’t can be extremely frustrating. Anyone who has ever had to discuss a claim with a medical insurance company can attest to that.

“Financial planning in the setting of cancer is the most stressful thing. It’s right up there with, how long am I going to live?” Dr. Nina Shah, a hematologist at the University of California – San Francisco, told SurvivorNet.

Dr. Nina Shah explains how some patients may be able to get help with cancer bills.

Dr. Shah also suggests seeking out a social worker who is associated with the center your loved one is receiving their treatment. These social workers “usually know what resources are available and what you can do to access them and apply for them and where you may or may not qualify to receive them,” Dr. Shah said.

Financial Resources to Consider During Cancer

If you have had trouble finding resources or answers about how to get help paying for cancer, there are a few routes you can consider. You can negotiate payment plans, seek out government assistance programs, or look to advocacy groups.

These are a few of the options cancer patients and their loved ones have to get help covering costs associated with treatment (from drug co-pays to travel assistance):

Covering Caregiver Costs

Some states offer compensation to cancer caregivers. You can check with the Department of Health and Human Services for local resources.
CancerCare offers free services to caregivers as well, and their oncology social workers may be able to connect struggling caregivers with mental health professionals, support groups, and other resources.

For Help With Treatment Bills

The Cancer Financial Assistance Coalition can direct patients and their families to available local services.
Many treatment centers offer extended payment plans and some may offer temporary payment delays, according to the American Cancer Society.
CancerCare, which connects patients with oncology social workers, may be able to assist with co-pays, transportation, and other costs associated with care.
The HealthWell Foundation may be able to help uninsured patients pay for treatment.
The American Cancer Society may be able to link patients and their families up with local resources (they offer a 24/7 helpline).
The Patient Advocate Foundation (PAF) works with patients and their insurance companies to resolve issues and may provide direct financial support to some patients.
The Patient Access Network Foundation may be able to help with out-of-pocket costs associated with cancer treatment.

For Help With Transportation and/or Housing

There are several programs that may be able to assist patients if they need to travel by plane to get treatment, including Air Care Alliance, the Corporate Angel Network, and PALS (Patient Airlift Services).
Patients with Medicaid may be entitled to help paying for transportation costs to and from treatment.
The American Cancer Society’s Road to Recovery program can hook patients and their families up with volunteer drivers.
Mercy Medical Angels may be able to help patients and their families pay for transportation.
The Healthcare Hospitality Network can assist with housing if a patient must be treated far from home.
The American Cancer Society Hope Lodge Program gives patients and their caregivers a free place to stay during treatment in dozens of cities across the U.S. and Puerto Rico.

For Help With Food

Food assistance may be available to people going through cancer treatment and their caregivers. Look into the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program – aka SNAP – or a program like Meals on Wheels.

Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.