Patient Resources

American Cancer Society

For nearly 100 years, the American Cancer Society (ACS) has worked relentlessly to save lives and create a world with less cancer and more birthdays. Together with millions of our supporters worldwide, we’re helping people stay well, helping people get well, finding cures, and fighting back against cancer.

Angel Food http://www.angelfoodministries.com/ distribute food to those in need Consumer Guide to Getting and Keeping Health Insurance http://www.healthinsuranceinfo.net/

CancerCare has 2 sections with helpful information:
Tips for Finding Financial Assistance sectionhttp://www.cancercare.org/get_help/assistance/tips_assist.php and Financial Help for People with Cancer http://www.cancercare.org/pdf/fact_sheets/fs_financial_en.pdf

The Support and Resources page on the National Cancer Institute website http://www.cancer.gov/cancerinfo/support/ provides links to information about cancer support organizations, finances, insurance, and hospice and home care.

Hope Cancer Fund http://www.hopecancerfund.com/ wants to make the difference that it takes to make that fight for survival a better one. Phone: 1-877-601-4285

The National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship has online resource guides to organizations offering financial assistance, see http://www.canceradvocacy.org/resources/financial.html

National Association for the Terminally Ill http://www.terminallyill.org/SERVICES.htm Phone: 888-847-0390, E-mail: info@terminallyill.org – Offers financial assistance to the children and families of those suffering from a terminal illness whose life expectancy is two years or less. The foundation helps with day-to-day living expenses such as: rent or mortgage, groceries, electric, car payments, insurance payments, etc.

The Patient Access Network Foundation http://www.patientaccessnetwork.org/ (866-316-7263) assists patients with out-of-pocket costs associated with their treatment.

Patient Advocate Foundation http://www.patientadvocate.org/index.php ,http://www.patientadvocate.org/ (800-532-5274) provides education, legal counseling, Co-pay Relief Program, and referrals for people with cancer who need assistance managing insurance, financial, debt crisis, and job discrimination issues.

Medline Plus: Hospice Care http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/hospicecare.html

National Cancer Institute: Hospice http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Support/hospice

The National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization http://www.nhpco.org/templates/1/homepage.cfm

Hospice Foundation of America http://www.hospicefoundation.org/

Hospice Directory http://www.hospicedirectory.org/

National Association for Home Care and Hospice http://www.nahc.org/

List of Hospice Organizations http://www.medical-assistant.net/hospice-care#org

You may notice that many groups and organizations now have a lot of information on the Internet, and it may be harder to call or reach a real person to ask questions. When you do call you might find that their answering messages encourage you to find the information you need on their website. For many groups, this is a way to save money and focus more funds on services for those in need. But it doesn’t work for everyone who needs help.

Many people, especially families who are having financial troubles, don’t have Internet access at home. This can make it harder for them to find what they need. You may want to see if your local public library offers use of their computers and Internet access at no cost. An added benefit is that volunteers or staff there may be able to help if you’re having trouble finding things.

Still, you don’t always need Internet access to find help. Many organizations also provide toll-free phone numbers so that people without Internet access can learn about and ask for services. Don’t be embarrassed to tell people that you don’t have Internet access and you can’t check their website.

And you can always call us, day or night, to find out about getting the help you need.

Help with the cost of basic charges for phone service may be available from Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF; see “To learn more” for contact information). Speak with the eligibility worker in your county department of social services for more information.

Families that have problems controlling phone charges may want to think about buying pre-paid calling cards, pre-paid cell phones, or plans with pre-paid minutes. If you have a monthly mobile phone plan, call your mobile company before you go over your minutes limit. Sometimes they can help you keep from going over your limit for the month.

The Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) is another resource that may help if your income is very low. Visit their website at www.usac.org/li/getting-service/benefits.aspx to learn more about phone service help that’s available in your state. Or you can call 1-888-641-8722 and follow the low income/lifeline prompts.

You may also want to call the American Cancer Society to find out about other local sources of help with telephone service.

National Association of Hospital Hospitality Houses
800-542-9730
www.nahhh.org
Provides accommodations for families and patients receiving medical treatment away from home. Rates typically range from $5-$15 per day (sometimes free).

Joe’s House
877-563-7468
http://www.joeshouse.org/Home/tabid/36/Default.aspx
The mission of Joe’s House is to be a housing resource for cancer patients and their families who must travel away from home for medical treatment. Our site lists hundreds of cancer treatment centers and nearby lodging facilities.

Hope Lodge
American Cancer Society operates locations of Hope Lodge near many cancer treatment centers, offering free temporary lodging in a nurturing home-like environment. You can find the locations and learn how to make a reservation through their webpages.
http://www.cancer.org/docroot/subsite/hopelodge/index.asp

Listed below are several sources of help paying for cancer prescription drugs such as imatinib (Gleevec) and sunitinib (Sutent).
http://www.copays.org/
1-866-512-3861
Patient Advocate Foundation’s Co-Pay Relief (CPR) Program provides direct co-pay assistance for pharmaceutical products to insured Americans who qualify financially and medically. They do assist patients diagnosed with GIST who are taking Gleevec or Sutent. They help sarcoma insured patients with co-pays so they don’t have to choose between food or medications.

Patient Access Network Foundation
http://www.panfoundation.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=280&Itemid=250
Patient Access Network Foundation accepts online applications for prescription assistance to US residents whose income is less than 500% of the federal poverty level.

Patient Services, Inc.
http://www.uneedpsi.org/
1-800-FON-PSI-1
They have a separate department for GIST patients.

Partnership For Prescription Assistance
http://www.PPARX.org
1-888-477-2669
4 PPA-NOW
Partnership for Prescription Assistance offers a single point of access to more than 475 public and private patient assistance programs, including more than 150 programs offered by pharmaceutical companies.

Glivec International Patient Assistance Program (GIPAP) through The MAX Foundation
https://www.maxaid.org/Default.aspx?trgt=gipap

The Max Foundation (TMF) is a US-based non-profit cancer organization with international focus. TMF is dedicated to helping patients with blood-related cancers and other rare cancers worldwide by facilitating access to treatment and providing care and support for those who have limited access to resources.

The Glivec International Patient Assistance Program (GIPAP) is a program of Novartis Pharma AG. The Max Foundation is a partner in the administration of GIPAP. As part of our Patient Services, patients who are screened, approved, and referred by TMF for a donation of Glivec through GIPAP may also benefit from access to the following TMF services:

• locally-based, culturally competent care and support specialist
• patient support groups
• informational, emotional, and practical support
• help navigating their health care system

Novartis Patient Assistance Program (for Gleevec)
1-866-884-5906
800-942-3424

Pfizer FirstResource (for Sutent)
1-877-744-5675, then choose option 1

RxAssist is a compilation of drug-cost assistance programs run by all pharmaceutical companies.
rxassist.org

NeedyMeds is a guide to drug-cost assistance programs.
needymeds.com

The Assistance Fund is a next generation 501(c)3 nonprofit organization created to make advanced biotech therapies available to the underinsured. http://theassistancefund.org/

LifeSource Direct is a prescription assistance discount card.

Patient Advocate Foundation Assistance Programs by State, http://www.patientadvocate.org/report.php
(800 532 5274)

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) is a grant program that provides monthly cash to help pay for food, clothing, housing, utilities, transportation, phone, medical supplies, and other basic needs not paid for by Medicaid. (TANF also helps states provide training and jobs for the people in welfare programs.) A social worker can tell you about your state’s plan or see the “To learn more” section for TANF contact information.

Angel Flight America
877-621-7177
www.angelflightamerica.org

Network of 4,500 pilots who provide transportation in corporate jets, space-available basis, to cancer patients going to recognized cancer treatment centers listed with the American College of Surgeons and/or the National Institutes of Health. Patients must be able to walk up and down the steps to a private plane without assistance. Patients must not require oxygen, IV, or any other form of life support during the flight.

Corporate Angel Network, Inc.
866-328-1313
www.corpangelnetwork.org

CAN finds free air transportation (on corporate planes) for cancer patients who need medical treatment. Patients must be ambulatory.

National Patient Travel Center
http://www.patienttravel.org:80/

This airline-sponsored program collects donated frequent flyer miles for patients to use to travel for medical care.

Air Compassion America
http://www.aircompassionamerica.org/

Air Lifeline (888) 675-1405
They are volunteer private pilots using their own planes to transport patients to treatment facilities.

MAP: Here is a link to a nice map that shows some of the different flight organizations by state. http://aircharitynetwork.org/about-us/
To be automatically routed to your region, call toll-free (877) 621-7177

Assistance Programs for the Uninsured at the National Cancer Institute’s website www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/support/financial-assistance shows options for cancer patients without health insurance

HealthWell Foundation http://www.healthwellfoundation.org/index.aspx The Foundation provides financial assistance to eligible patients to cover certain out-of-pocket health care costs, including: Prescription drug coinsurance, copayments, and deductibles, Health insurance premiums, Other selected out-of-pocket health care costs .

The Patient Access Network Foundation http://www.patientaccessnetwork.org/ (866-316-7263) assists patients with out-of-pocket costs associated with their treatment.

Patient Advocate Foundation http://www.patientadvocate.org/help.php 1-800-532-5274 is a national non-profit organization that seeks to safeguard patients through effective mediation assuring access to care, maintenance of employment, and preservation of their financial stability.

Patient Services, Inc. http://www.uneedpsi.org/CMS400Min/index.aspx (800-366-7441) provides assistance with insurance premiums and co-payments for people with chronic diseases.

ZichronShlomeRufuah Fund http://www.zsrf.org/ Phone: 718-GET-WELL (438-9355), Fax: 718-853-0761 – A Jewish support group.

Eldercare Locator to find Your Area Agencies on Aging
http://www.eldercare.gov/
Eldercare Locator, a public service of the U.S. Administration on Aging connecting you to services for older adults and their families.You can also reach Eldercare at 1-800-677-1116. If you are 60 years of age or more, check out this site for both information and case management services. They can also help guide you through government programs and entitlements.

Financial Assistance and Other Resources for People With Cancer: www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/support/financial-assistance

Social Security Disability http://www.ssa.gov/disability/

Medicaid http://www.cms.hhs.gov/home/medicaid.asp

Medicare http://www.medicare.gov/

National Association of State Medicaid Directors, http://www.nasmd.org/Home/home_news.asp
(202-682-0100)

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is designed to supplement the income of eligible families with low incomes and limited assets in which there’s a disabled individual. Children qualify if they meet Social Security’s definition of disability. To get SSI, your income and assets must fall below a certain level.

Children can qualify if they meet Social Security’s definition of disability. Income criteria are checked by the local Social Security Administration office. Disability evaluation specialists at the state Social Security office decide if the child is disabled. Not every child with a cancer diagnosis is considered disabled.

Note that SSI is different from SSDI (Social Security Disability Income), which is only available to those who contributed to Social Security during their working years.

In many states, Medicaid is given to children getting SSI, but you may need to apply for it separately. You can get more information about SSI from the team social worker or from the nearest Social Security Administration office listed in the US Government section of your local phone book. See the “To learn more” section for more information.

Some government programs help with food costs. The programs listed below are run by the US Department of Agriculture for different groups of people, and offer food help in different ways. Some families may qualify for more than one type of help. These programs include:

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or SNAP (formerly the Food Stamp Program). It allows people to shop for food in grocery stores using a special Electronic Benefits Transfer card, much like a bank card.

Food Distribution Programs (these programs distribute food directly to needy families):

• Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP)
• The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP)

Women, Infants and Children (offers vouchers; some health departments give food or formula):

• Farmer’s Market Nutrition Program
• Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program

School meals (served to children only in schools):

• National School Lunch Program
• Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Program
• School Breakfast Program
• Special Milk Program
• Team Nutrition

Summer Food Service Program (meals for kids at community sites when school’s out)

How to reach these programs: To ask about SNAP by phone, call your local health department or social services department. See your phone book’s blue pages or call 1-800-221-5689 to get the local number. For all the other programs, call the National Hunger Hotline at 1-866-348-6479 (1-866-3-HUNGRY); for Spanish, call 1-877-842-6273.

Keep in mind that some individuals and families can qualify for more than one type of help. You can learn more about all of these programs and others by visiting www.whyhunger.org/findfood.
FIND FOOD PANTRIES in your area
http://www.foodpantries.org/

The National Patient Travel Center (NPTC) is a central clearinghouse that refers callers to over 3 dozen charitable or special discounted patient air transport service groups. NPTC can help patients find a program to assist with the costs of air travel for illness-related reasons, including air ambulance services.

The National Patient Travel Helpline screens callers, verifies the illness and need for transport, and determines if the caller is eligible for help through one of the air travel programs. You can call them at 1-800-296-1217, or visit them online at www.patienttravel.org.

People who have Medicaid may qualify for help with travel to medical centers and doctors’ offices for treatment. This can take the form of payment or being reimbursed (paid back) for gas, payment of bus fare, or it may mean using a van pool. County departments of social services in each state arrange for help with transportation, but families must ask for it by talking with their Medicaid case worker.

The American Cancer Society Road To Recovery program is available in some areas. Trained volunteers drive patients and families to hospitals and clinics for treatment. Contact your local American Cancer Society office for more information on what’s available in your area.

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, through its Patient Aid program, can help some families with the cost of gas and parking for outpatient treatment. This aid is only for those with blood cancers (leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma). There’s a limit on the amount of financial help to each patient and family for each year. Check with your team social worker about this program or contact the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society at 1-800-955-4572 orwww.lls.org.

Community and church groups may be sources of help with travel or its costs, too. Also, talk to your team social worker about getting help with hospital or clinic parking fees.

Most families find it hard to turn to others or to agencies and outside groups for financial help. The extra expenses of a child’s cancer may be the first time a family has had serious problems with money. Families should remember that their problems in such a situation are often short-lived and not unique. And in the future, they could be the ones who offer help to others.

Here are a few possible sources of help for families who need extra financial support at this time:

• Income assistance for low-income families through Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits (see below)
• Income assistance from the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program (see below)
• Help with treatment-related travel, meals, and lodging from public and private programs
• Help with basic living costs (like rent, mortgage, insurance premiums, utilities, and telephone) from public and private programs
• Help from church, civic, social, and fraternal groups in the community
• General help from special funds in the medical center or community
• Help from targeted fundraising for an individual patient or family

The team social worker may be able to give you more information about resources that might help your family. There are also organizations and written materials that can help you learn more about fundraising strategies (see “To learn more”).