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The Financial Burden of Cancer: Are you willing to share your story?
Over the last 25 years, major advancements in cancer diagnostics and treatment have led to significant improvements in clinical outcomes and survival rates. However, the cost of diagnostic procedures, therapy, including chemotherapy, targeted agents, and immunotherapy, as well as the long-term costs throughout survivorship mean people facing a cancer diagnosis also face substantial financial burden. This is sometimes called financial toxicity.
Mayo Clinic would like to interview 5-6 people who are willing to share their story about the financial burden of cancer. Your experience can help other people going through the expense of cancer treatment.
We are looking for real stories of people who have struggled with the financial burden of:
- mounting paperwork
- looming bills
- confusing financial terminology
- gaps in insurance coverage
- financial fears and insecurity
Do you need to be a Mayo Clinic patient?
No! These stories will support an education program and should not be reflective of any particular clinic or hospital.
How will the stories be used?
Parts of your experience may be used to provide real-life stories in an education program to help newly diagnosed cancer patients.
How can you participate?
- You can participate by phone, in writing or in person. You choose:
- Interview by phone.
- Provide your story in writing via email.
- If you live close to Rochester, Minnesota or Phoenix, Arizona, you might be invited to come to a Mayo Clinic video studio to share your story on camera.
- If you live anywhere else, you might be invited to record an audio version of your story via phone or Zoom.
- Your story may be used in a script to be read by someone else.
If you would like to participate, please post a comment below or private message me at @colleenyoung. Share some of your experience below.
Have you ever been confused by health insurance or billing terminology?
Have you ever wondered, “what’s a deductible, what’s an out-of-pocket maximum?
Have you ever been fearful for your financial security because of cancer treatment costs?
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My cancer treatment ran over $100,000.00. Thank full for insurance.
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2 Reactionsi have a good supplemental insurance plan with medicare- no out of pocket costs or copay -love it-and no frickin paperwork
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3 Reactionsnice never considered that
I have good insurance, but I needed care and my husband couldn’t do that and work. We needed to have paid assistance for me week days for almost two years. It was all the more difficult because I couldn’t work. My treatment was difficult and had me in and out of the hospital. They even removed one drug from my chemo, since I was hospitalized for 7 days after the first chemo treatment and the doctor was concerned it might kill me if continued. Aflac would have been a help if I could have gotten it.
You're so right, @jldavis823, there are often "circumstantial" expenses, such as getting paid assistance for household chores, caregiving, and for young patients perhaps child care.
Hello,
My name is James Mackey. I am currently living in the Philippine Islands, but plan to travel to the Phoenix Mayo Clinic. My insurance will pay the medical costs there, but I am wondering about the hospice costs. I'm not sure if the Blue Shield/Medicare will help with those costs. Any ideas? I am a 74 y/o male with stage 4 colon cancer. Any ideas or thoughts will be appreciated.
Sincerely,
Jim
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1 ReactionJames, it would be best to contact your insurance about coverage for hospice care. Are you sure that you will need or meet the criteria for hospice when you arrive.
Here is some further information about hospice criteria in Arizona:
https://www.compassus.com/locations/arizona/phoenix/services/hospice-care/hospice-eligibility
“ Hospice is available to patients with a terminal diagnosis and life expectancy of six months or less, as determined by the patient's doctor and a hospice medical director.”
I’m wondering if you are referring to palliative care? https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/palliative-care/about/pac-20384637
@makatak47 ,
Sorry you are having to face these tough decisions about care.
Like all Medicare coverage, hospice coverage will depend on your type of Medicare / supplemental/ advantage policy you have.
My mother's Medicare / BC insurance covered all her hospice care. I do not know exactly the type of Medicare she had at the time. Her hospice care was done in house with visiting nurses / therapy / etc... She was about in go into a hospice facility when she passed.
The hospice facility she used had financial assistance if she would of needed in.
I did find a online document about Medicare and Hospice, but did not see a date on it, so though a starting point, make sure you contact Medicare and your insurance company.
It did mention it is important to make sure your Hospice facility is Medicare approved.
https://www.medicare.gov/Pubs/pdf/02154-medicare-hospice-benefits.pdf
Laurie
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3 ReactionsUntil I can return to the US, there is nothing I can do with Medicare. I have an old number, and they sent out new ones, but I don't know where they sent it.
Jim
Call Medicare in US and find out where it's sent. Also if you are in the system already your number is all you need. When I made appointment with Mayo, they just looked me up didn't need to show my card. If you get your current policy number from them when you call or even e-mail them.
Hoping that helps. 🙏