How To Seek Compensation For Your Medical Expenses Related To Cancer Treatment

Posted by: KHTS Articles in News Articles October 30, 2020 - 8:42 am 0 393 Views

Falling into the whirlwind of sickness can be exhausting, especially if the condition is serious in its ramifications. Such is the case with most cancer patients. Between struggling with cancer and going to doctor appointments and therapy sessions, you waste so much more than just time.

To make the stress worse, facing the overwhelming expenses involved with the whole process can break anyone’s bank. If you’re struggling with managing the medical expenses related to your cancer treatment, here’s everything you need to know about the costs, compensation options, and managing your finances.

Ways to Seek Compensation for Medical Expenses

Paying from your own savings or depending on a family member to cover the expenses aren’t your only options. You can find better and more lenient compensation options by exploring the following means:

Insurance Coverage

The most common option you have is insurance. You can explore different insurance options from your employer, private, or government-provided insurance. If you’re already on insurance, then check with your providers for cancer treatment options.

Governmental Aids

There are a few government insurance programs that provide certain coverage for cancer treatment and related expenses. Two of the most common programs are Medicare and Medicaid, but you’ll have to be eligible for the qualification criteria to receive the benefits.

Non-Profitable Organizations

Many non-profitable organizations make it their mission to collect donations for cancer patients. You can search your state or local area for these organizations and ask for support as well.

Compensation for Taking Defective Medication

In ugly cases where you got cancer out of the negligence and mistakes of others, you can be eligible for receiving legal compensation for the trouble you’ve endured as a result. This has been the case with the infamous Belviq Lawsuit, where unaware patients developed cancer in the process of following their physicians’ orders and prescriptions. Belviq is a prescription drug that entered the market for its effective weight-loss properties and was widely prescribed by doctors for treating obese patients. Unfortunately, the drug proved disastrous with its cancerous properties, as many patients developed colorectal, pancreatic, and lung cancer in the process.

Compensation for Cancer-Related Expenses

There are so many expenses incurred in cancer-treatment; it’s not limited to the therapy itself. You can find ways through which you can alleviate the financial burden by looking for housing options, free cancer-screening and testing services, and food costs, or transportation costs.

Understand the Cost Breakdown of Treatment

It’s worthwhile to break down the cost structure of this surrealistically expensive therapy so you can head and tails of your financial situation. Breaking down the options will also help you find different ways through which you can find various forms of compensation.

Here are the financial leeches you can expect during the therapy:

1. Physician Appointments

Whether you have insurance or not, you can expect to pay a certain amount of money per appointment. In case of having insurance, the amount you pay will vary according to your plan, but it’s safe to say that most plans include co-payments. Copayments work in a way such that your insurance will cover a certain percentage, according to your plan, and you’ll pay the rest. This is not determined by the physician; rather, by the insurance company.

2. Additional Appointment Expenses

During, before, or after the visit, the doctor may order some tests and procedures to make a correct diagnosis. Following up on your treatment will also involve various procedures and tests. Again, you’ll have to check if your insurance covers these expenses and, if so, how much copayment will you be required to make.

3. Cancer Therapy

This involves everything included in the treatment plan. Depending on the type and severity of cancer, the treatment can vary. Many early-stage cancers require surgery to remove the cancerous part, and it can either be followed with more therapy sessions or not. For late-stage cancers, starting chemotherapy and radiations are more probable options.

4. Prescription Drugs

Along with the cancer therapy itself, you may be prescribed meds for different purposes. Whether it’s pain relief-meds, side-effect suppressants, or supplemental therapy, these will also add to your expenses.

5. Other Costs

You can expect a different set of costs to start adding up before you can notice. These costs will often go into the following factors:
Transportation costs like gas, taxis, parking, and other fares.
Accommodation costs if you’ll be staying in a place closer to treatment.
Caregiving costs in case of living in senior homes or hiring a caretaker for children or parents.
Suffering lost wages due to illness.
Legal and financial costs involved with consulting specialists.

Getting treated for cancer is a draining process on so many levels. To alleviate at least some of the financial burden, it’s important to explore your options. Going from private insurance to government insurance, support from non-profit organizations, legal compensation, and other forms of aids, you can ease some of that burden. It’s also worthwhile to manage your finances in a smarter way, such as looking for more affordable drug alternatives.