Respite from Financial Toxicity

Medical bills can feel toxic, but so can unemployment and anxiety about world events.

“We don’t want financial stress impacting patients’ health, and we do a good job of stopping stress before it gets out of control,” says Jennifer Bargas, CPhT, a financial counselor at Henry Ford Cancer.

How cancer financial counselors can help

When patients receive a cancer diagnosis, nurse navigators can connect them to financial counselors. But it’s important for patients to make their financial arrangements before treatment begins.

The financial counselor determines a patient’s eligibility for financial aid through Medicare, Medicaid, drug companies, insurance companies and cancer foundations – and makes connections to the appropriate resources. Additionally, social workers provide information about disability, employee rights, work accommodations, medical leave and budgeting.

“Once a patient gets into our system, things move quickly. We try to help before a catastrophic event happens,” Jennifer says, noting that financial concerns have led some cancer patients to cancel appointments or even stop treatment.

Certain cancer drugs can cost $90,000 per treatment, leaving patients with co-payments of $18,000. When patients see that their debt of $18,000 can be reduced to $6.93, it gives them hope, Jennifer says.

Financial help after treatment

Getting financial assistance after treatment can be difficult. Most cancer foundations and drug companies have a “lookback” period of one to six months to pay claims, Jennifer says. If a patient enrolls today, and the lookback period is six months, claims will be paid six months prior to the enrollment date. Counselors determine if any payment opportunities exist and immediately submit the paperwork.

Another option is to enroll in the Henry Ford Patient Financial Assistance Program. Patients who have had surgery or radiation at Henry Ford may qualify for help through this program. They can obtain the enrollment paperwork from financial counselors, social workers or the billing department. Processing takes about two weeks.

If unexpected financial circumstances occur, financial counselors can help you arrange a payment schedule.

Connect with a cancer financial counselor and learn more.