Private Insurance Plans
Private insurance programs come in two types: fee-for-service and managed care. Fee-for-service insurance allows policyholders to choose any service providers the want, while managed care approaches involving Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs) or preferred provider arrangements require or encourage people to seek medical treatment from within a network of affiliated doctors, hospitals, and clinics. All private insurance policies have different premiums, co-pays, and deductibles, as well as individualized coverage plans, so careful study of available options should always precede any decision about what kind of policy to purchase. In some instances employer-provided insurance may be offered as a part of a job benefits package; but these insurance plans also need to be studied carefully to make sure they provide adequate coverage for all contingencies.
Other Options
Cancer organizations and charities may be able to provide ancillary assistance to help cover extra costs associated with breast cancer treatment, such as transportation and lodging for those who must travel long distances to reach cancer care facilities. The financial departments of most hospitals and clinics are happy to work with patients who need to make arrangements to pay their medical bills over time, even if those patients can only afford to make relatively low payments. Because of deductibles and co-pay requirements, patients with insurance will still have some significant debt to deal with, so those who have been diagnosed with breast cancer would probably be wise to make contact with the financial offices in the facilities where they will be receiving treatments at a very early stage to discuss possible payment options.
Sometimes medical costs can be deducted from federal taxes, although it is always necessary to check with a good tax accountant to know in each individual situation whether or not it will be possible. Those who have this option will need to keep very careful records of all the treatments they receive, since medical cost deductions must be itemized in order to be accepted as legitimate.
Taking Control of the Future
There is no way to protect breast cancer sufferers completely from the high costs of modern medical care. But public and private insurance options are available that can make a big difference in the lives of many. In addition, institutions that provide high quality health care services are almost always willing to work with their patients to help them handle the financial burdens associated with their treatment. If it is at all possible to obtain private health insurance before serious health problems actually arise, this is optimal, to be sure. But even after breast cancer has been diagnosed, various kinds of assistance can still be found that can help reduce the financial strain on those battling this difficult disease. No woman should ever have to skip treatments or forgo medications that can help them overcome breast cancer simply because they are worried about finances.
Coming to Grips with Breast Cancer Medical Bills
The healthcare system in the United States is arguably the most technologically sophisticated that the world has ever seen. Scientific and technological advances in general are associated with high quality medical treatment options, and there is no doubt that many patients with serious health problems have benefited tremendously from the types of interventions made possible by modern medical knowledge and methodology – including breast cancer patients.
However, a health care system that relies so much on technology and the latest scientific breakthroughs is bound to be costly. Medical bills for patients with serious health problems who seek treatment in hospitals and clinics in the United States can reach prohibitive levels, and this is an unpleasant reality that millions of families have been forced to confront.
The Financial Realities of Breast Cancer Treatment
Total costs for breast cancer care will vary based on the types of treatments needed to deal effectively with individual case histories. In most instances, breast cancers that require the use of multiple treatment modalities over the course of several months can be expected to cost at least $40,000 to $50,000 on average; but it is not unheard of for breast cancer costs to surpass the $100,000 level when there are complications.
In a joint survey conducted by several influential health institutions, 33% of those who had suffered from breast cancer reported having trouble paying their medical bills, while 43% admitted to skipping some treatment sessions and leaving prescriptions unfilled because of concerns over cost. Obviously, families overwhelmed by the burden of high medical costs are in a very difficult position, and the efficacy of breast cancer treatments could be undermined for some women as a result. Even though this unfortunate situation may not be fixable in every instance, there are private and public insurance programs available that can help those in need of immediate assistance, while also providing protection against significant health care costs that might be incurred sometime in the future.
Government Sponsored Insurance
Medicare is the most well-known government health insurance program. While Medicare is primarily for those over the age of 65, since the risk for breast cancer rises with age there are a lot of women who can benefit from the help it is able to provide. There are different Medicare programs available with different premiums, deductibles, and co-payments, so eligible Americans have some choices in deciding what is right for them. Some younger women may be eligible to receive assistance from Medicare, if they have been receiving income from the Social Security Administration's Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program for a period of at least two years. For women of all ages who come from low-income families, Medicaid is another government health care program that can pay for some medical costs related to breast cancer treatments.
Two other federal initiatives also worth mentioning are the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection program, and the Breast and Cervical Cancer Prevention and Treatment Act. The former pays for the cost of breast cancer screening mammograms for poor women over 40 who need to be tested, while the latter legislation provides financial assistance to low-income women under 65 who are uninsured and need cancer treatment.
As a part of health care reform, all states are now required to have some kind of Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan for those who have not had access to any other insurance for six months or longer, and who have cancer or some other kind of serious pre-existing condition. In addition, some states have independent insurance programs that are available to all low-income residents.
Add new comment