Pancreatic cancer and help with medical bills?!
Question: My father just had a large tumor removed from his pancreas and while we are unsure of the future with all of this, the medical bills are going to be astounding. His insurance only covers 80% of everything, with no cap on how much out of pocket costs him and my mom will incure.
Since this had cost my father his job and he may need to go on short term disability, I told my parents to apply for Medical Assisstance. Is there anything else they can do? Any other assistance with bills they can get?
Oh, and my mother doesn't work as of now. Any suggestions would be great, thank you. We can barely deal with the thought that we might lose my dad, let alone the bills that will pile up soon.
Answers: My father just had a large tumor removed from his pancreas and while we are unsure of the future with all of this, the medical bills are going to be astounding. His insurance only covers 80% of everything, with no cap on how much out of pocket costs him and my mom will incure.
Since this had cost my father his job and he may need to go on short term disability, I told my parents to apply for Medical Assisstance. Is there anything else they can do? Any other assistance with bills they can get?
Oh, and my mother doesn't work as of now. Any suggestions would be great, thank you. We can barely deal with the thought that we might lose my dad, let alone the bills that will pile up soon.
State disability is very quick to approve and will provide some quick income. You should declare it permanent disablity since this type of cancer is serious. Pancreatic cancer approves your father for social security disability and Medicare insurance, if he can survive long enough to get the paperwork approved. Medicare combined with your secondary coverage will normally take care of that 20%. My mother survived that cancer for 3 years after removing 70% of her pancreas and did intermittent chemo to slow the spreading down. It was very costly but her dual coverage Medicare + secondary insurance paid almost 100%.
Talk to a social security disability lawyer to get it submitted now. Social Security Disability also provides some disability income that will pass on to dependents and a spouse when the person on disability dies. This may sound cold, but money is a big issue in the family when somebody has a terminal illness.
Money and insurance coverage is a big issue in survival if you cant afford copays and deductables. First line treatment with Tarceva, a newer form of oral chemo, can run up to $10,000 per month billed to insurance. 2nd line weekly chemo with taxotere combined with another drug that starts with a G, I forgot the name can run up another bill of over $5000 per month or more billed to insurance. The surgery will normally make a person partly or totally diabetic, so there are insulin costs, possibly visits from a nurse twice per day to help administer the insulin.
You have a major battle ahead with insurance, medical treatments, and other future issues. I hope this info helps. I went through it with my mother.
Sometimes the hospital will have a fund to help pay for cost for lower income families. But I agree he should apply for Medicaid to cover his coinsurance.
Most hospitals have funds that you can apply for to help pay hospital expenses. They are called Hill-Burton Funds. Speak to the social worker at the hospital. Apply for Medical Assistance. Check with your doctor to see if your dad's meds are among those covered for $4 / month charges at WalMart & Shopko pharmacies. They don't offer all drugs, but will help you & your doctor come up with an alternate that may do the same thing. Speak to all your health care providers & work out payment plans. Even if you are paying only $25 a month on each different bill, if you are consistent & on time with your payments, you should do OK. Many doctors will adjust their fees for those who are in serious need..Keep your heads up & bless you for coming together as a family to face this difficult time. My prayers are with you..
Get in contact with a medical social worker. Your dad's doctor should be able to refer you. They know all the in's an out's of assistance and what your father would qualify for.
Good luck!