Where to Find Help Paying Cancer Bills
- U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro, 48, reflects on the beginnings of his cancer journey a year after being diagnosed with gastrointestinal neuroendocrine tumors.
- Neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) form in the lining of the gastrointestinal tract (such as the stomach or small intestine) and form from the cells that make the hormones that control digestive juices and muscles, according to the National Cancer Institute.
- Treatment for NETs primarily includes surgery, chemotherapy, radiation and hormone therapy. Surgery may be the first choice for treatment, when possible.
- The average cost in the first year after a diagnosis is around $42,000, according to the National Cancer Institute. Lower-income cancer patients are hit harder in terms of costs and overall outcomes.
- Cancer patients and their families struggling to pay for treatment have a few ways they can get help with paying off medical bills. Oftentimes, cancer centers have social workers or patient navigators to help patients navigate finances, develop payment plans, and determine eligibility for financial assistance programs.
Texas Rep. Joaquin Castro, 48, marked the one-year anniversary of his cancer diagnosis in a poignant series of social media posts by drawing attention to the enormous cost of battling cancer, revealing that even with “great” medical insurance he was left paying significant out of pocket costs for his care.
. The San Antonio native was diagnosed after MRI scans stemming from a car accident led doctors to find he had neuroendocrine tumors. The cost of treatment over the last year plagues the Congressman's mind. He says
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As America celebrated its independence, Castro commemorated the day he learned he had cancer in July 2022. The Congressman was traveling in Spain when his driver had an accident.
"Traveling back to Bilbao on a dark highway, the driver of our car hit a boar going 70mph. After a few minutes an ambulance came and asked if I wanted to go to the hospital," Castro wrote.
While at the hospital, an X-ray revealed Castro had two cancerous tumors that had spread.
"My radiologist called me. He said he believes he sees two neuroendocrine tumors that have spread from your small intestine to your liver," Castro recalled.
Gastrointestinal neuroendocrine tumors form in the lining of the gastrointestinal tract (such as the stomach or small intestine) from neuroendocrine cells, which make the hormones that control digestive juices and muscles used in digestion, according to the National Cancer Institute.
Treatment for NETs primarily includes surgery, chemotherapy, radiation and hormone therapy. Surgery may be the first choice for treatment, when possible.
Castro's tumor was grade 1, meaning it was small and growing slowly.
After his diagnosis, Castro coped with a wide range of emotions, which is a completely normal phase of a cancer patient's journey.
Dr. Shelly Tworoger, a researcher at Moffitt Cancer Center told SurvivorNet that "there's a number of common things cancer patients can experience, such as anxiety, depression, financial toxicity, social isolation."
Castro admitted he didn't immediately tell many people about his diagnosis. Thoughts of his young daughter consumed his mind as he navigated his emotions.
"My younger daughter turned two months old the day of my accident. I wondered how much longer my kids would have with their dad around?"
Castro's treatment involves a monthly lanreotide injection (commonly sold under the brand name Somatuline Depot). The Food and Drug Administration approved this form of treatment in 2007 to help treat neuroendocrine tumors.
"[The] drug [is] meant to slow, and hopefully freeze the growth of NETs," Castro explained.
The Congressman then shared the expensive price tag of his treatment.
"Lanreotide is a specialty drug. List price per injection – $24K. The insurance actually pays $6.5K every time I take it. The insurance company negotiates down with the provider from $24K to $6.5K, covers that, and I pay $60 out of pocket monthly," Castro explained.
He added that even with what he described as “great” insurance, he was left to pay $8,000 in out-of-pocket costs in 2022 (though it’s unclear if that was related specifically to his cancer care or his entire family’s medical costs).
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"Through my cancer diagnosis, I've seen the costs of the American healthcare system firsthand and I'm lucky enough to have insurance. No American should have to forgo the treatment they need to fight cancer because of the cost," Castro said.
Castro highlights an important issue when it comes to battling cancer. So many survivors are too familiar with the added stress of paying for treatment and managing high bills.
SurvivorNet is proud to offer comprehensive resources to help patients navigate their care costs.
Cancer Comes With High Costs
The average cost for patients in the first year after a diagnosis is $42,000, according to the National Cancer Institute. Those huge bills can be a big burden for people, and it can have remifications.
A survey published by the Federal Reserve revealed a portion of Americans decided to skip medical treatment in 2022, due to the rising cost of medical bills over the past few years.
Low-income cancer patients bear the brunt of these costs. Researchers at Augusta University compared the outcomes of low-income cancer survivors and high-income cancer survivors.
The researchers found that low-income cancer survivors were less likely to be able to see a doctor and less likely to have health insurance coverage. As a result, among low-income cancer survivors, "incidence rate ratios for physical and mental unhealthy days were significantly higher" compared to wealthier cancer survivors.
Some people lose income as they're unable to work and/or they must pay for childcare while undergoing treatment. Even the cost of parking at the hospital can add an extra burden to any available funds. Often referred to as the financial toxicity of cancer, it can take a toll on anyone's budget.
A diagnosis also can serve as an impetus to get important financial matters in order and to think about our long-term finances.
WATCH: Paying for cancer.
Dr. Allyson Ocean, a Medical Oncologist at Weill Cornell, says she is on the phone with insurance companies nearly every day trying to make sure her patients can get the treatment they need, and get it paid for.
"My best advice to work around the system of whether or not drugs or tests can be covered for cancer is to make sure you have an advocate in your field working for you," says Dr. Ocean.
"The frustrating part for me is that sometimes we even have to educate the insurance companies and say, 'There's a reason why I want to use this medicine,’" she added.
Where to Find Help With Medical Costs?
Dealing with cancer-related expenses is a part of the cancer journey that can severely add to your overall stress. SurvivorNet recommends beginning this leg of the journey by talking with a social worker. These people are here to help advocate for you during treatment. They can also connect you with financial resources to help pay for treatment and work with insurance companies.
Sarah Stapleton is a clinical social worker at Montefiore Medical Center. She tells SurvivorNet, "If there is any barrier that you are finding, financial, transportation, or otherwise, a social worker is going to help advocate for you to try to do the best we can to eliminate that and make sure you get your treatment."
Several programs and organizations are available to help with medical bills associated with cancer treatment.
WATCH: How social workers can help with cancer costs?
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 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
- Several programs 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 Patient Airlift Services (PALS).
- Patients with Medicaid may be entitled to help pay 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 (SNAP) or a program like Meals on Wheels.
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