Cancer is the second most common serious health condition (behind heart disease) and a cause of great struggle for millions of families across the world. This is paired with the financial burden of paying for treatment in the USA. For more than a quarter of cancer patients, this treatment is unaffordable. Unfortunately, millions of Americans simply aren’t able to get the medical care they need. Even when insured, there’s a good chance that the policy won’t cover the cost of treating cancer.
This is incredibly sad news. Although we haven’t found a complete and guaranteed cure for cancer, many cases are treatable. That means that many patients would be able to recover and live a healthy and happy life, if only they could get the treatment they require. If you’re in this position, then it’s important to find alternative ways of funding your treatment. Here are three ideas for funding your cancer treatment so you can kickstart your recovery.
Start a Savings Fund as Early as Possible
Like any savings fund, the earlier you start, the more money you’ll accumulate. So as soon as you suspect you may have cancer, you should consider creating a dedicated cancer treatment fund. You know this won’t be cheap, but the quicker you’re able to put aside some money, the more you’ll be reducing the financial burden. As soon as you have any doubts about your physical health, start thinking about opening a savings pot.
Don’t worry about finding the best interest rates; simply start putting money into a safe place where you know you won’t be spending it. This savings account should be added to using your monthly paycheck, but you could also use it as a place to store donations from loved ones. By keeping all your money in one place, you’ll be relaxed in the knowledge that you have the funds you need when you’re eventually handed a medical bill.
As you recover, sacrifices will have to be made. You’ll be eating out less and going to fewer social gatherings. This is all saved money, though, which can be redirected towards your treatment. At this stage of your life, getting better is your priority. Save every penny you can and use it for medical treatment. Over time, you should be able to save up a relatively large sum of cash.
Look for Alternative Insurance Providers
Much of your cancer treatment funding will come from your health insurer. However, many people simply stick with the one they’ve got, unwilling to make an effort to research alternatives. In addition, some providers just aren’t equipped to help cancer patients. Find an organization that is. If you need help, hire an insurance expert to help you find the right provider. In many instances, they’ll be able to find a policy that better fits your needs and covers more of the costs. For the relatively low cost of monthly insurance policies, you can avoid the larger burden of medical bills.
By simply switching to an alternative health insurance provider, you may find that you’re eligible for a much larger amount of funding. Look through each policy in detail and make sure you fully understand what you’re signing up for. Many providers are focused on serving the average person, who may not need to visit the hospital often. The more you need to visit a medical professional to get treatment and care for your condition, the less useful this kind of policy will be. Shop around for something more suitable.
You’ll be amazed at how much of the financial burden can be eased by choosing a more appropriate insurance company. It may take a bit of time to find the right provider but stick with it. The world of medical insurance isn’t easy to navigate, and the sheer range of options can be overwhelming. Get support from friends, family, and medical experts during this difficult time to ease some of the pressure.
Check Whether You Can Get Financial Assistance
Many cancer patients try to fund their own treatment – either from their bank account or via an insurer – without realizing that support is available. It’s perfectly possible that you’re eligible for financial assistance and can claim a big chunk of the costs from them. But, again, this requires making an effort to do the research. It won’t always be obvious where to find help. Ask others to keep looking out for options so that they can alert you if they see a funding opportunity that you may be able to take advantage of.
The best way to do this is to look online for financial assistance for cancer patients. You may come across a charity or NGO that you’d never heard of that specializes in cases just like your own. Check the eligibility requirements and then get in touch with a staff member. They’ll be able to look at the details of your case and see what they can do for you. Even if you don’t qualify for the full financial aid, you might be able to negotiate a smaller payment.
Any financial assistance can really help out. Of course, you’d ideally like to be fully covered. However, if you have a decent insurance policy as well as a personal savings fund, then these three sources of income can add up to a significant amount. Keep researching all your options and get as many streams of income as possible. Between private donations and financial assistance, you can raise the money you need to get the best level of cancer care available.
The prevalence of cancer means that much work has been done to make the treatment affordable to more people. If you’re in this position, then don’t lose hope. You can help yourself with the financial side of this condition by starting a savings account as early as possible. Pair this with switching to the best health insurance provider you can find. Finally, consider seeking financial assistance to start winning the fight against cancer.
