Uninsured and diagnosed with breast cancer (not me) any ideas??

[michelem]

I am pretty sure she would qualify for AHCCS, with those numbers.

Here is the link to AHCCS. http://www.ahcccs.state.az.us/Site/ Unfortunately, it looks like her income is WAY to high to qualify (as of 01/01/09, an individual living with spouse qualifies with income 1/2 of 1,167/month after deductions, which comes out to a little over $7,000 a year). Sigh . . .

BUT, good news is that they now have something called BCCTP (Breast and Cervical Cancer Treatment Program), with a much higher limit (looks like close to $35,000 a year).

Oddly enough, there is conflicting income info on the spreadsheet here http://www.ahcccs.state.az.us/Servic...NoChildren.asp and this page here: http://www.ahcccs.state.az.us/Servic...dren.asp#BCCTP

So, best to call and find out the real scoop. Hopefully your friend's mom qualifies for something here!

[Possegal]

I have a friend who lost his job just as he was diagnosed with lymphoma. The social worker at the hospital has found him aid through several sources, she has been a godsend. Your friends have lots of options out there, just sadly they have to seek them out. But once they hit on the right people to help them, I think they will find a lot of sources of aid, especially in the cancer field. Definitely look into the breast cancer charities, I do think the Lance Armstrong Foundation has some aid for people in this situation, possibly the American Cancer Society as well.

Working in the field of cancer research, I will echo the idea that clinical trials may not be the best option. There are long lists of qualifications for a trial to ensure that it answers the questions it needs to answer. Your friend would need to have had a lot of tests before they would even consider her, and getting those tests done and paid for is part of the problem right now.

Once they have figured out how to get the tests done and found a dr that will treat her, the dr would be a great source of help as to what funds may be out there for the medications. Older meds are cheaper and the newer meds have programs to defray the costs. My sister's drug for her lung cancer is $4000 a month (it is a pill). Her copay is reasonable but if she wasn't insured, that is a lot of money. However, Genetech/OSI pharm who make the drug, have a program to help people in need. This is true of other expensive new drugs and companies. I think there are a number of programs out there for medication costs help.

Also, here is an organization that I think does a great job of educating and empowering the patient - www.cancercare.org. They may have some information of some help as well. (ha, and when I went there, on the front page is a link about financial assistance, so I definitely recommend they check them out). A lot of these charities/organizations have social workers on staff that can be a great resource.

[OakLeaf]

Unfortunately, it looks like her income is WAY to high to qualify...

Way too high for cash benefits, but if she can prove a qualifying disability or if there's a state medically indigent waiver program, she may qualify for spend-down Medicaid (essentially a monthly deductible). Hospital social worker may be easier to deal with initially than the state welfare agency - although she'd have to deal with the welfare agency eventually, she should be able to get a pretty good idea of whether she might qualify for assistance before she goes there.