A cancer diagnosis can be devastating not only physically, but emotionally, and financially as well. And there’s no right or wrong way to react. There might be tears, a state of shock, or complete disbelief. You might enter a state of despair or denial. You might feel completely numb. Or, on the other hand, you might even feel prepared for the news. Some people even feel a state of calm acceptance for what’s still to come.
Cancer isn’t Always Terminal
In years past, a cancer diagnosis was the ultimate in bad news but with modern-day treatments, a cancer diagnosis isn’t always terminal. A lot depends on the type of cancer, the location, and how early it was detected. For those who do face a terminal diagnosis, “Each individual approaches end-of-life decisions differently,” says John Thoma, CEO of hospice care provider, Transitions LifeCare. Indeed, the end of life comes at different times and in different ways for each of us, and our reactions to it are as diverse as we humans are.
After coming to terms with a terminal cancer diagnosis, some people choose to spend more time with their loved ones. Others make the decision to mindfully live their lives to the fullest, remaining present and cherishing each moment. One common thing that many people do when facing terminal cancer is to create or update their will.
While all of these things are important, another important consideration is how you’ll cover the costs of your cancer treatments. Whether the cancer is terminal or not, treatments are very expensive. Forbes explains that health insurance can help pay for some treatments, although there are many expenses that may not be covered by insurance. Luckily, there are still options out there for funding those important treatments so try not to despair.
The first thing you should try is proactively negotiating with your health insurer. Since insurance companies rarely, if ever, cover 100 percent of expenses, you may need to fight them for coverage. This includes doctor visits, hospital stays, medical procedures, and more. What happens if you try this and still have no luck with your health insurance company? There are still some options available to you in this situation.
If you’ve tried the options mentioned above and haven’t had much luck, don’t despair. You still have many options for funding your cancer treatments and care. For instance, you could look into government funding through programs such as the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services or the U.S. Administration on Aging.
You could even contact the pharmaceutical companies directly and explain your financial situation to see if you might qualify for financial assistance programs as a patient. Sometimes, these programs can give you a greatly reduced rate on medications you need.
You can also find emergency funding assistance. The American Cancer Society reports that there are many grants available for those living with various different types of cancer. Additionally, you might look into the Emergency Cancer Relief Fund or one of the many nonprofits dedicated to helping cancer patients and their loved ones. Even if they don’t provide funding and financial assistance, they can probably connect you with valuable resources to help you in your search.
Another idea is enrolling in a clinical trial if your cancer won’t go into remission through traditional treatment. The goal of a clinical trial is to introduce novel ways to treat conditions and diseases. For instance, if you have leukemia or lymphoma, clinical trial treatments could include new chemotherapies and stem cell transplants.
Financing the costs of your cancer treatments remains one of the most important considerations when facing a terminal diagnosis. More importantly, however, is to make sure you’re getting the care you need. This includes having the right doctor, getting a second opinion, if needed, and ensuring your maximum comfort. Do whatever you need to do in order to stay strong. Try to surround yourself with loved ones and brainstorm ways to engage in activities that you enjoy. This can help brighten your spirits so you can get the most out of each day.
You might also like:
- What to Consider When Shopping for Health Insurance
- Medical Equipment Costs: How to Deal with Abrupt Healthcare Expenses
- When is the Right Time to Buy Life Insurance?
- 4 Life-Changing Events that Could Tank Your Finances
- How to Get a Good Price on Health Insurance for Your Family
- Tips for Strategically Using Your Pre-Tax Health Savings Account (HSA)
- Recovering from the Unexpected: 4 Tips for Financially Dealing with a Medical Condition
