Ok this is actually a question with my Mom in mind. Mom is in stage IV cancer. She has done well for over two years on Chemo. She has no insurance from now until April when here medicare kicks in. She is already in her second week without chemo. She is only in her 50's and I Need her around a lot longer!! Has anyone had any experience with getting a lower cost chemo or a place where they help people with this kind of need. Help!
call the local welfare office, the place she was getting help about the various financial aid programs that are out there to help in these matters.
What kind of cancer does she have? That has a lot to do with what products are available and success rates.
I had Stage II Hodgkins Lymphoma in June 2008 - all the products on my chemo regimen were technically "generic" because they were older drugs (adriamycin, bleomycin, vinblastine, decarbazine). Each chemo session (12 over a 5 month period) cost almost $2000. That didn't include the costs of anti-nausea meds, etc. Having cancer is really expensive - I have been blessed to have wonderful coverage and clean scans for the past year.
You can always ask around at different infusion centers to see what their charges are (much of the cost is related to pharmacy dispensing, nurses's fees, etc). In the end, I'd ask your Mom's Oncologist if they have any recommendations of local/national organizations that can help.
Depending on the type of cancer, there's very likely a national organization (for me it is the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society) that would be the best place to seek guidance. Most of the time, hospitals/infusion centers will work on payment plans with patients to help defer a lot of the costs.
Good luck. I hope this information is somewhat helpful.
Have you tried the American Cancer Society or an association specific to the type of cancer your mother has? Have you talked to a social services rep at the clinic or hospital where she receives treatment? Perhaps they have resources they can recommend.
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