Chemo infusion financial assistance

[Sashay2020]

Hello ladies. Can anyone in the USA on Medicare advise if she has had any luck having cost of chemo reduced? There is such a program at hospitals, but those patients receiving Medicare are prohibited from receiving assistance. Thanks much

Sashay

[SUE7777]

Hi Sashay if you don't have any luck on this website you could try the team inspire website which is mainly in the States. Good luck Sue xx

[Sashay2020 in reply to SUE7777]

Thank you, Sue. I will check there. Sashay

[delia2]

Hi Sashay. I don’t know the answer but an organization called Cancer Care whose podcasts I listen to has funding available to help people—not sure with what. You can call and speak to an oncology social worker and they might have ideas.

[Sashay2020 in reply to delia2]

Thank you kindly, Delia. I will see if they can help. Sashay

[NYClady]

My chemo was completely covered 80% by Medicare and the other 20% by the Medigap insurance. I paid nothing else. My understanding is that as long as these treatments are in a hospital setting, they are covered by Medicare.

[Sashay2020 in reply to NYClady]

Thanks. Unfortunately I did not know that I would have been better off getting original Medicare with medigap coverage. Selecting a Medicare plan was so confusing. I called a Humana agent and bought a Humana plan. It’s too late for me to switch now. I’m stuck with that 20 % copay. C’est la vie. Sashay

[MOOKIE-FOX1234 in reply to Sashay2020]

Hi Sashay , What a bummer ! I have Aetna and all I have is a small copay in January and that's it. There has to be some assistance available . Maybe your Dr's billing people can help , my Dr has office people who know all the angles . Good luck 👍. Gillian , Mookie Fox.

Ps my treatments are in my Dr's office.

[Sashay2020 in reply to MOOKIE-FOX1234]

Thanks, Gillian. There is a charity in the US that helps with cancer treatment costs. However, money is set aside for each type of cancer and right now, the ovarian cancer fund is exhausted. I signed up to be notified when the fund opens again so I can apply at that time. Take care,

Sashay

[Mommoo65]

Hi Sassy! I live in the United States and my Medicare covered 80% of chemo and my hospitalizations for the bulking. But I also applied to the indigent program at my hospital. I was accepted and that paid the rest. I’ve had no bills from the hospital at all.

[Sashay2020 in reply to Mommoo65]

Thanks, Mommoo. I applied, but my hospital says I’m not eligible. I’m not going to worry about it. The hospital will write off the balance after I’m gone. Take care,

Sashay

[Willowoaks]

So far mine has been completely covered by Medicare & my secondary…..you do need to make sure the labs & medical team are using labs & services that accept Medicare…my team has always stayed on top of that well too. If they send something to a group not accepting Medicare one might get hit with a bills.

[Sashay2020 in reply to Willowoaks]

Thanks Willowoaks. I don’t have secondary insurance, but as I mention Ed to Mommoo, I’m not going to worry about it anymore. Take care,

Sashay

[Cher96]

Hi SashayHope you are feeling good. I’ve been on one form of Chemo or another for 3 years and I have Medicare with secondary insurance from emblem health. My hospital seems to accept it as full payment since I haven’t been charged. I think it depends on the hospital and what type of Medicare. If it’s a Medicare advantage plan, it’s an hmo and no advantage. If it’s original Medicare your hospital is obliged to take full payment. I think that’s the way it works but not sure. I’m having trouble responding to all this chemo as my ca125 has climbed to new heights. What have you been up to lately?

Cher 96 (Joan)

[Sashay2020 in reply to Cher96]

Hi Joan, thanks for responding and sorry I have not thanked you sooner. I just did # 6 of my second line chemo last week. This last chemo has hit me like a truck. My CA125 is in normal range again, but I’m not feeling optimistic that it will stay there long. I don’t want any more chemo. I hope I will feel well enough soon to travel. I haven’t traveled much and would love to visit South Korea, but that is a really long flight from New Orleans. Maybe I can return to Italy. I loved Rome. I’m stage four, hi grade and BRCA negative and just not feeling too chipper these days. I would love to flee this oppressive heat! Im going to have my next CA125/labs in two months so I can see where I am. I sure hope you are enjoying life!Take care,

Sashay