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Patient Advocate Foundation
800-532-5274/ 757-873-6668
Non-profit organization that provides education and legal counseling on
a national level to cancer survivors concerning managed care, insurance
and financial issues.
Disability Rights Legal Center 866-999-3752
Provides information and educational outreach on cancer-related (and other disabilities) legal
issues to people with cancer and others impacted by the disease.
cancerandcareers.org
Information and resources for working women with cancer, their employers,
coworkers and caregivers. Topics covered include: working through treatment,
taking time off, returning to work, traveling with cancer, and handling
discrimination at work, among others.
Financial Resource for People with Cancer (National Cancer Institute Fact Sheet)
Lists potential resources for financial assistance, including Government-sponsored
programs and services supported by voluntary organizations. [8/06]
Financial
Records (Onconurse.com)
Guide to managing the financial records associated with cancer.
Covers how to organize financial records, what are deductible medical
expenses, dealing with hospital billing, coping with insurance (understanding
your policy, finding a contact person, negotiating benefits, challenging
a claim). Provides a list of sources of financial assistance. [2001]
America's
Health Insurance Plans
Provides comprehensive insurance
guides for consumers covering health insurance and managed care, disability
income, long-term care and medical savings accounts. Includes a glossary
of insurance terms.
Clinical
Trials and Insurance Coverage: A Resource Guide (National Cancer Institute)
Answers frequently-asked questions about insurance coverage for clinical
trial participation and provides links to additional information resources.
Sections include: clinical trials and insurance coverage; coverage strategies
to consider; initiatives to expand coverage for clinical trials. [1/02]
Your
Guide to the Appeals Process (Patient Advocate Foundation)
Provides information on how to appeal a denial of an insurance claim.
Sections include: gathering preliminary information, understanding the
illness and the insurance, writing the appeals letters, evaluating the
result, and knowing when to consult an attorney. [2001]
Social Security Online (Social
Security Administration)
Comprehensive website includes extensive benefits information. Of
particular interest is the guide to applying for disability benefits.
Cancer and Disability
(CancerGuide)
Brief overview of disability income resources: social security disability
insurance, supplemental security income (SSI), short term disability insurance
and long term disability insurance. Offers advice on a tax saving technique
related to the payment of disability insurance premiums. Written by Bruce
Wallace, a cancer survivor. [3/02]
Medicare
Rights Center
The Medicare Rights Center, a non-for-profit, non-governmental organization,
provides comprehensive information and assistance in navigating the Medicare
maze. Resources include a Medicare Basics guide, a list of discount drug
programs, a comparison chart of the different types of Medicare plans
available around the country, and information on the Medicare home health
and hospice rights and benefits.
Insurance
for Sale: Viatical Settlements (CURE)
by Jo Cavallo
CURE (Winter 2004): 10-12
Discusses the advantages and risks of viatical settlements. Explains
the rationale behind viatical buyouts of life insurance policies and suggests
specific information and resources to consult before making a decision.
Warns patients to use caution, but notes that there are circumstances
for positive outcomes for some cancer patients in financial need. [2004]
Drug Assistance
Partnership for Prescription
Assistance (PPA) 888-477-2669
The Partnership for Prescription Assistance (PPA) brings together US pharmaceutical
companies, health care providers, patient advocacy organizations and community
groups to help qualifying patients who lack prescription coverage get
the medicines they need through public or private programs. Many prescriptions
are available for free or at low cost. PPA's mission is to increase awareness
of patient assistance programs and boost enrollment of those who are eligible.
The PPA website offers a single point of access to more than 275 public
and private patient assistance programs, including more than 150 programs
offered by pharmaceutical companies. Additionally, PPA can be accessed
by phone at 888-477-2669.
Help
Paying for Prescription Drugs (Medicare Rights Center)
Medicare now offers prescription drug coverage through private drug plans. The Medicare
Rights Center, a non-for-profit, nongovernmental organization, maintains a website that explains this prescription drug benefit. Also available are lists of discount drug programs, including: state prescription
drug assistance programs, national prescription drug assistance programs,
prescription drug discount cards, mail order discount pharmacies and Internet-based
discount programs. [11/06]
Amgen Patient Assistance 800-272-9376 (Amgen)
Bristol-Myers Squibb Patient Assistance Foundation 800-736-0003 (BMS)
Genentech's Single Point of Contact 888-249-4918 (Genentech)
GlaxoSmithKline's Commitment to Access
866-265-6491 (GlaxoSmithKline)
Lilly Cares 800-249-4918 (Lilly)
Millennium Reimbursement Assistance Program for VELCADE 866-VELCADE (Millenium)
Pfizer's Helpful Answers: Patient Assistance Programs 877-744-5675 (Pfizer)
Sanofi-Aventis Reimbursement Services & Patient Assistance Programs 800-996-6626 (sanofi-aventis)
Air Travel & Lodging Assistance
Angel Flight America
877-621-7177
Nationwide network of volunteer pilots offering help to patients in need.
Corporate Angel Network
(CAN) 866-328-1313
Arranges corporate flights for cancer patients.
National Association of Hospital
Hospitality Houses
Information resource for patient accommodations.
PatientTravel.org (National Patient Travel Center)
Arranges for free or reduced air travel for patients in need
via the National Patient Travel Hotline (800-296-1217).
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