I am a breast cancer patient for the past 7 years. The past two years my cancer has matastize to bone and liver area. Causing me to stop working and go on S.S. disability. I am single and the cost of living and medical insurance, meds., etc.....I panic. I needed to find help. Besides friends and family organizing a beautiful benefit to help with cost, I went on a mission.
For weeks, I spent on the internet and phone. And to my surprize there were many organizations to assit US. Just for the asking. So here are some tips if you are finding yourselve stressed over the cost of meds, insurance and everyday living.
I first started with the American Cancer Society (there is a local office in your area and a site)
I spent over an hour on phone, with them giving me resources after resources. I called and surfed. I was able to locate a cheaper insurance (through the state (of PA) that was funded also through Blue Cross. Wow, cut my premiums in half. THe ACS also granted me $300.00 towards prescriptions. Plus turned me onto a site called www.needymeds.com This site list all drugs and links you to pharm. company. Mose pharm. companies have patient assistance programs. And if qualify, your meds are free. I was once on Xeloda (over $1,000 a scrip), my new insurance would not cover, so I went to needymeds. I qualified, and was able to receive my meds for free. I also went to www.cancercare.org. Again, may links for help. Others:
www.cityofhope.org
www.hrsa.gov (Hill-Burton)
Local department of Social Services
Patient Advocate foundation - www.patientadvocate.org
www.cancer.org (ACS)
And, your local hospital has a department of Social workers to assit patients in need.
I know many of these organizations have helped me and are continuing to. I am hoping some of this info is useful to you.
God Bless
Sandy