Government health insurance
Medicare
Medicare is health insurance for people age 65 or older. However, people under 65 who are on kidney dialysis or have certain disabilities may also qualify.
Medicare Part B only pays for outpatient medicine given by a pump or by vein. It doesn’t pay for pills, patches, or liquids.
Medicare Part D is a benefit that covers outpatient prescription medicines. It comes from private insurance plans that have a contract with Medicare. These plans vary in what they cost and the medicines they cover. Find out which medicines a plan covers before you join to make sure that it meets your needs. You should also know how much your copays and deductible will be.
Medicaid
Medicaid gives health benefits to low income people and their families. Some may have no health insurance or not enough, and therefore need this help.
If you have Medicaid, you should know that it pays for medicine given by mouth (orally) or by vein (intravenous). Each state has its own rules about who is eligible for Medicaid.
Other advice
Don’t be embarrassed to tell your health care team if you’re having trouble paying for your medicine. They may be able to prescribe other medicine that better fits your budget.
If you feel that you’re overwhelmed, the stress may seem like too much to handle. You might try getting help with financial planning. Talk with the business office where you get treatment. There are many free consumer credit counseling agencies and groups. Talk with your oncology social worker about your choices.
You can also contact the NCI’s Cancer Information Service (CIS) and ask for help. They have a database, National Organizations that Offer Cancer-Related Services, that may help you. See the Resources section on page 34 for ways to contact NCI.