Financial Resources

Many lung cancer patients find themselves in need of financial assistance at some point in the journey. The truth is, many times the kind of help patients and their loved ones would find most helpful is not available. That's why we've partnered with GiveForward, a service provides free* online fundraising pages to help friends and family to raise money directly for a loved one when they need it the most. To learn more, visit the Lung Cancer Alliance GiveForward site here.
*setting up a fundraising page is free, GiveForward collects a processing fee of 7% on donations made

Here are other sources of financial resources to explore:

The Cancer Financial Assistance Coalition
A searchable database of both medical and non-medical financial assistance (national and regional) all over the US.

Patient Advocate Foundation
Maintains an extensive National Financial Resources Guidebook, organized state-by-state. 

Uninsured

Being diagnosed with lung cancer can be difficult but is even more so without insurance. The goal should be to secure insurance, whether through an entitlement program like Medicaid, by joining a high-risk pool, or by purchasing private insurance. Planned healthcare changes include eliminating pre-existing condition clauses that keep those diagnosed with cancer from getting insurance. 

Here are some ideas and resources that may help.

Coverage for All 
From the Foundation for Health Coverage Education, offers an online search of free and low cost health coverage by state.  

State-specific programs.
Some states have programs to help those with cancer who are uninsured and in some cases, the underinsured. Programs we know of include Virginia Cares, provided by the Patient Advocacy Foundation, the Delaware Cancer Treatment Program, and the Georgia Cancer State Aid Program.

Hill-Burton Facilities
List of facilities that agree to provide free or reduced health care to the uninsured who qualify. Check to see if there is a participating hospital near you.

Uncompensated care (“charity care”)
Many non-profit hospitals provide some level of free or reduced care, either as part of their mission or to maintain their tax-exempt status. If you haven’t been offered this at your facility, ask if it is offered. 

Co-pay Assistance

CancerCare Co-Pay Assistance Foundation
1-866-552-6729. 
Medication co-pay assistance for non-small cell lung cancer.  (As of May 2013, CancerCare's NSCLC fund was out of money.)

Patient Access Network Foundation
1-866-316-7263. 
Medication co-pay assistance for non-small cell lung cancer.

Patient Advocate Foundation Co-Pay Relief Center
1-866-512-3861
Medication co-pay assistance for non-small cell lung cancer.

Drug Assistance Programs

Partnership for Prescription Assistance
1-888-477-2669
Helps those who are without prescription drug coverage and who qualify get the medication they need.

Needy Meds
Online resource with information about pharmaceutical and government assistance programs.

Transportation and traveling for treatment

CancerCare
1 (800) 813-HOPE
Provides limited financial assistance for transportation, homecare, childcare and pain medication.

American Cancer Society
1-800-ACS-2345.
Programs vary by area of the country but include Road to Recovery, in which volunteers provide transportation to and from appointments, and financial assistance for gasoline.

National Patient Travel Center
1-800-296-1217 
Offers information about all forms of charitable, long-distance medical air transportation and provides referrals to all appropriate sources of help available in the national charitable medical air transportation network.

Joe’s House 
1-877-563-7468
A resource for finding a place to stay near hospitals and treatment centers all over the country. Listings include details such as distance to the hospital, reservation directions, and amenities, oftentimes with discounted rates.

Other

Caregivers Marketplace
Provides rebates on products often used by cancer patients.