Financial Assistance

Costs related to breast cancer care can quickly become a financial burden.

You may get many bills for just one procedure. For example, you may get a bill from each department in the hospital involved with your surgery such as the lab (pathology), surgery and others.

Even if your co-payment for a single bill is low, these costs add up. Out-of-pocket costs (such as transportation) may also add to this burden.

It’s OK to ask for help. There are many financial resources available for people with breast cancer.

Komen Financial Assistance Program

Susan G. Komen^®offers the Komen Financial Assistance Program to eligible individuals undergoing breast cancer treatment at any stage or living with metastatic breast cancer (stage IV), the most advanced stage of breast cancer.

With this program, we aim to help those who are facing financial challenges by providing: limited financial assistance, breast cancer education, psychosocial support and information about local resources.

To learn more about this program, please VISIT US here.

How to find financial assistance

Hospital resources

Your doctor, nurse or social worker may have information on financial resources.

Most hospitals and treatment centers have financial counselors. They can help you with the details of your insurance paperwork and give you an estimate of the cost of your treatment.

Financial counselors can also help you work out a payment plan. If you’re not able to pay, some places may be willing to reduce or waive some costs if you ask.

Hospital discharge planners, patient service offices, nurse navigators and patient navigators may also have information on resources and advice about financial matters.

Insurance questions

For questions about your insurance policy, state insurance agencies and insurance companies can be helpful.

Learn more about insurance.

Financial assistance programs

No matter your income, you may qualify for financial aid from federal, state or local programs. A financial counselor at your hospital can help you learn about these programs.

Many organizations offer financial assistance and help with travel, lodging, medical items and prescription drugs. Some are listed below.

Medicare, Medicaid and most insurance companies cover the cost of mammograms.

Since September 2010, the Affordable Care Act has required all new health insurance plans to cover screening mammograms every 1-2 years for women ages 40 and older, with no out-of pocket costs (co-payments or co-insurance).

Call the Komen Breast Care Helpline at 1-877 GO KOMEN (1-877-465-6636) Monday – Thursday, 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. ET and Friday, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. ET to help find low-cost options in your area.

Each October, during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, many imaging centers offer mammograms at reduced rates. To find a certified mammography center in your area, visit the FDA website (www.fda.gov).

In many parts of the U.S., low-cost or free mammograms are also offered through national programs and community organizations.

National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program
Provides access to breast cancer screening (and access to diagnostic testing if results are abnormal, and referrals to treatment if breast cancer is diagnosed) to low-income, uninsured and underinsured women ages 40-64.
www.cdc.gov/cancer/nbccedp/

Planned Parenthood
Provides clinical breast exams and referrals for mammography (and any follow-up testing, such as breast ultrasound).
www.plannedparenthood.org

A.M. Best Company
Find insurance company ratings.
www.ambest.com/

Affordable Care Act (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services)
Find information on choosing a health insurance plan and the Affordable Care Act.
www.healthcare.gov/choose-a-plan/

American Association of Retired Persons (AARP)
Find detailed information on Medicare and other health insurance programs for people over 50.
www.aarp.org/health/

American Cancer Society – Understanding Financial and Legal Matters
Find financial and legal information for people diagnosed with cancer.
www.cancer.org/

Medicare
Find information on Medicare health insurance programs for people 65 and older.
www.medicare.gov

Medicaid
Find information on Medicaid health insurance programs for people with low income, and your state’s Medicaid program.
www.medicaid.gov/medicaid/index.html

National Association of Insurance Commissioners
Find your state’s insurance commissioner.
www.naic.org/

National Cancer Legal Services Network
Find a directory of organizations that offer free legal help for people diagnosed with cancer and their families.
www.nclsn.org

National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship – Employment Rights for Cancer Survivors
Find information on employment rights in the booklet “Working It Out: Your Employment Rights as a Cancer Survivor.”
www.canceradvocacy.org/resources/employment-rights/

Patient Advocate Foundation
Provides financial assistance information and legal and advocacy help if an insurance claim is denied.
www.patientadvocate.org

Patient Advocate Foundation – National Financial Resource Directory
Find local, state and national financial assistance and insurance resources for people who don’t have health insurance or are under-insured.
www.patientadvocate.org

CancerCare – Co-payment Assistance Foundation
Provides health insurance co-payment assistance to breast cancer patients undergoing some types of chemotherapy and HER2-targeted therapy.
www.cancercarecopay.org

The Aesthetic Foundation – Breast Cancer Journey Assistance Fund
Offers financial assistance for some medical expenses including co-payments, medications, wigs and medical equipment.
www.theaestheticfoundation.org/apply-for-funding/patient-assistance-funds/breast-cancer-journey-assistance-fund

Komen Financial Assistance Program
Provides limited financial assistance for some medical equipment and lymphedema supplies.
www.komen.org/treatment-assistance-program

National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program
Provides access to clinical breast exams and mammograms (plus diagnostic testing if results are abnormal, and referrals to treatment if breast cancer is diagnosed) to women ages 40-64 who don’t have health insurance or are under-insured.
www.cdc.gov/cancer/nbccedp/

National Lymphedema Network
Find a lymphedema support group, physical therapist, financial assistance for garments and other information on lymphedema.
www.lymphnet.org

The Pink Fund
Provides financial assistance for health insurance premiums.
www.pinkfund.org/get-help/

Sisters Network Inc.
Provides financial assistance for copays and breast prosthesis, medical bras and compression arm sleeves.
www.sistersnetworkinc.org/programs.html

Social Security Administration
Find your local social security office.
www.ssa.gov/

Women’s Health and Cancer Rights Act
Find information on federal laws requiring insurance coverage of breast reconstruction after mastectomy.
www.cms.gov/

The Assistance Fund – Breast Cancer Copay Assistance Program
Provides financial assistance for prescription drug co-payments.
www.tafcares.org/program-listing/

Komen Financial Assistance Program
Provides financial assistance for some medications.
1-877 GO KOMEN (1-877-465-6636)
www.komen.org/treatment-assistance-program/

MedicalAssistanceTool.org
Provides low-cost and free prescription drug programs for those with limited income.
www.medicineassistancetool.org/

Medicare
Find information on Medicare prescription drug plans.
www.medicare.gov

NeedyMeds.com
Find information on drug company financial assistance programs.
www.needymeds.com

Patient Access Network (PAN) Foundation
Provides financial assistance for prescription drug co-payments to people with metastatic breast cancer who qualify.
www.panfoundation.org/

Patient Advocate Foundation
Find an online directory of drug company financial assistance programs.
www.patientadvocate.org/

Patient Advocate Foundation – Co-Pay Relief Program
Provides financial assistance for prescription drug co-payments.
www.copays.org

Rx Hope
Find an online directory of prescription drug assistance programs.
www.rxhope.com/

National Cancer Institute – Insurance Coverage and Clinical Trials
Find information on insurance coverage of clinical trial costs.
www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/clinical-trials/paying/insurance

LIVESTRONG Fertility
Provides financial assistance for fertility treatment for women diagnosed with breast cancer.
www.livestrong.org/what-we-do/program/fertility

The Samfund
Provides financial assistance for fertility treatment for women diagnosed with breast cancer.
www.thesamfund.org/

Local transportation

The social work and care coordination departments at your hospital may have information on local transportation programs. Some cancer organizations also have programs that can help.

City, county and state agencies can arrange for low-cost or free local transportation for people with disabilities. For more information on these services, contact your city, county or state transportation department.

The Aesthetic Foundation – Breast Cancer Journey Assistance Fund
Offers financial assistance for transportation to medical appointments.
www.theaestheticfoundation.org/apply-for-funding/patient-assistance-funds/breast-cancer-journey-assistance-fund

American Cancer Society – Road to Recovery
Provides local transportation to and from cancer treatments.
www.cancer.org

CancerCare – Financial Assistance Program
Provides limited financial assistance for transportation to and from cancer treatments.
www.cancercare.org/financial

Komen Financial Assistance Program
Provides limited financial assistance for transportation to and from medical appointments.
www.komen.org/treatment-assistance-program

Long-distance transportation

Air Charity Network
Provides air travel to treatment centers for cancer patients and their caregivers.
www.aircharitynetwork.org/

Corporate Angel Network
Uses empty seats on corporate airplanes to help cancer patients reach treatment centers.
www.corpangelnetwork.org/

Lifeline Pilots
Provides air travel to treatment centers for cancer patients and their caregivers.
www.lifelinepilots.org/

Mercy Medical Angels
Provides air travel to treatment centers for cancer patients and their caregivers.
www.mercymedical.org/

Raquel’s Wings for Life
Provides air travel to treatment centers for cancer patients and their caregivers.
www.raquelswingsforlife.com/

Lodging assistance

If your hospital or treatment center is far from home, there may be times when you and your family need to find a place to stay overnight. Many hospitals and treatment centers can arrange a discount rate at a nearby hotel or motel. The American Cancer Society can also help.

American Cancer Society – Hope Lodge
Provides lodging for families during cancer treatments.
www.cancer.org/

Joe’s House
Find an online directory of free and discounted lodging for cancer patients and their families.
www.joeshouse.org/Lodging.aspx

Sisters Network Inc.
Provides lodging for patients during breast cancer treatments.
www.sistersnetworkinc.org/programs.html

Personal expenses

Komen Financial Assistance Program
Provides financial assistance for food.
www.komen.org/treatment-assistance-program

Patient Advocate Foundation – Metastatic Breast Cancer Financial Aid Fund
Provides financial assistance for personal expenses including rent, utilities, food, transportation and some end-of-life costs for people with metastatic breast cancer.
www.patientadvocate.org

The Pink Fund
Provides financial assistance for personal expenses including mortgage or rent, utilities and car payments.
www.pinkfund.org/get-help/

The Samfund
Provides financial assistance for tuition and many personal expenses such as rent, utilities and car payments for young people diagnosed with breast cancer.
www.thesamfund.org/

Child and elder care assistance

If children or elderly family members rely on you to take care of them, it can be hard to get to treatment. Family and friends may be available to help. (They often want to help, but don’t know how. This is one way they can get involved.) The programs below also offer help.

CancerCare – Financial Assistance Program
Provides limited financial assistance for child care during treatment.
www.cancercare.org/financial

Komen Financial Assistance Program
Provides limited financial assistance for child care during treatment.
www.komen.org/treatment-assistance-program

Please review each foundation’s website and/or contact them for more information. Each has their own scholarship criteria and application process.

Scholarships for cancer survivors

Cancer for College
Provides need-based college scholarships and educational experiences for people diagnosed with any type of cancer.
www.cancerforcollege.org

National Collegiate Cancer Foundation
The survivor scholarship program provides financial support to young adults (ages 18-35) who have continued with their education throughout treatment or after treatment.
www.collegiatecancer.org

Patient Advocate Foundation
Offers educational scholarships to people pursuing undergraduate (under age 25) or graduate (any age) studies and have been diagnosed with or treated for cancer or a chronic disease.
www.patientadvocate.org/connect-with-services/apply-for-a-scholarship/

The Samfund
Provides a financial assistance grant for young adult cancer survivors (between ages 21-39 at the time of application) that can be used for graduate tuition, continuing education or vocational training.
www.expectmiraclesfoundation.org/samfund/

The Simon Cancer Foundation
Provides college scholarships for people diagnosed with any type of cancer.
www.thescf.org/Scholarships.html

Scholarships for people who’ve lost a parent or guardian to cancer

National Collegiate Cancer Foundation
The legacy scholarship program provides financial support to young adults (ages 18-35) pursuing their education who have lost a parent or guardian to cancer.
www.collegiatecancer.org

The Pink Rose Foundation, Inc.
Provides college scholarships to people under the age of 25 who have lost a parent or legal guardian to breast cancer.
www.pinkrose.org/

United Breast Cancer Foundation – Audrey B. Mastroianni College Scholarship
Provides scholarships for college-bound students of single parent homes. This scholarship is specifically designed to help turn higher education dreams into reality for students who have lost a parent or guardian due to breast cancer.
www.ubcf.org/programs-services/audrey-b-mastroianni-college-scholarship/

Scholarship information

College Scholarships.org
Provides a search engine to help with identifying scholarship opportunities. Also provides educational information about options for funding college.
www.collegescholarships.org/financial-aid/

Susan G. Komen^® Patient Care Center

Do you need help? We’re here for you. The Komen Patient Care Center is your trusted, go-to source for timely, accurate breast health and breast cancer information, services and resources. Our navigators offer free, personalized support to patients, caregivers and family members, including education, emotional support, financial assistance, help accessing care and more. Get connected to a Komen navigator by contacting the Breast Care Helpline at 1-877-465-6636 or email helpline@komen.org to get started. All calls are answered Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m to 7 p.m. ET and Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET. Se habla español.

Updated 09/11/24

TOOLS & RESOURCES

Resource

Komen Treatment Assistance Program

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1-877 GO KOMEN
(1-877-465-6636)