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Throughout the years that I have been employed with the United Breast Cancer Foundation (UBCF), I have noticed a pattern with many clients and the financial assistance they are seeking. Many UBCF clients are burdened with high-cost medical bills. These medical bills are usually exorbitant and for all different reasons; e.g. exams, treatments, hospital stays etc… The patients who receive these services begin paying their bills, but soon find out that they cannot afford them and hinders them from paying their household bills, such as their mortgage/rent, utilities, food, gas etc. Some research states (www.breastcancer.org) minimal solutions to help with these high cost medical bills before they may get out of hand. A breast cancer patient has a few options on how they may lower treatment costs and manage their health insurance to prevent high costs.
Listed below are some options:
1. Start with your Physician
a. Ask about a payment plan
b. Ask about alternative treatments
c. Ask for referrals to non-for-profit organizations, such as UBCF, to help pay some of these bills
d. Ask if you may participate in any clinical trials
e. Ask your Dr. for any drug samples, you are prescribed
2. Reducing the cost of your treatment and other expenses throughout your treatment may be as follows:
a. Call your hospital and ask how you may qualify for lower cost of treatment and/or may qualify for a reduction on your bill
b. Managing your Health Insurance
c. Clinical trials may help lower treatment costs
d. Non-for-profit organizations may help pay for living expenses
e. Tax deductions for treatments
To read the full article and learn more about these tips please visit
www.breastcancer.org /tips/paying
