Financial Issues | News

Prior Authorizations for Oral Cancer Drugs May Delay Time Patients Receive Therapy

November 1st 2021

By Darlene Dobkowski, MA

When patients with cancer are faced with receiving a prior authorization from their insurance provider for oral anticancer drugs, it is important that they advocate for themselves, according to an expert.

Cancer’s Hefty Price Tag

October 28th 2021

By Debbie Legault

“The financial burden is another gift that cancer keeps on giving,” writes the mother and caregiver of a young woman with breast cancer.

Facing Financial Toxicity in Cancer Care

October 20th 2021

By Antonia DePace

Talking with a doctor about costly cancer treatments and being frank with health care teams can ease financial distress for patients with cancer.

Educated Patients Are The ‘Key To The Success’ Of Their Cancer Therapy

August 11th 2021

By Colleen Moretti

“More and more (patients and physicians) need to work together in partnership throughout the cancer journey in order to optimize and make the journey the best possible that we can for every single patient,” says an expert from the Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Financial Burden of Pediatric Cancer Can Cause ‘Trauma’ and Other Long-Term Effects in Survivors

August 3rd 2021

By Colleen Moretti

Experts urge parents to continue to have conversations with their children about the financial hardships that may occur because of a pediatric cancer diagnosis.

Special Delivery: The Difficulties of Cost and Transportation of Cancer Medications

July 14th 2021

By Marissa Holzer

A woman with metastatic cancer explains how she found a copay assistance program and specialty pharmacy to help manage the cost of pricey medications, though not without a few bumps in the road.

Too Much Money for the Medicine

July 13th 2021

By Katherine Malmo

Newer cancer therapies easily cost upward of $100,000. Why so much? Who sets the prices and what can patients do if they can't afford them?

Childcare Programming in Cancer Centers Could Be Beneficial for Adult Patients

July 12th 2021

By Antonia DePace

Parents who receive a diagnosis of cancer are often faced with the trials of prioritizing themselves over their children, causing stress, burnout and disruption in cancer care.

Standing Firm Against the Financial Burden of Cancer

June 14th 2021

By Antonia DePace

To avoid the financial burden of costly therapies, patients with cancer receiving immunotherapy treatments should talk with their health care team and not settle for no as an answer from their health insurance provider, according to an expert.

Health Care Planning for a Post-Cancer Future

June 2nd 2021

By Bonnie Annis

A senior cancer survivor shares her experiences with post-cancer finances and offers some advice to others in the same situation.

Five Steps to Getting Your Medical Information In Your Hands

May 20th 2021

By Martha Carlson

A patient offers advice on getting patient portals, electronic medical records and technology organized and functioning correctly.

Long-Term Cancer Survival May Be Worse in States With Lower Medicaid Eligibility Limits

May 19th 2021

By Darlene Dobkowski, MA

Survival rates in this study were similar across cancer types including colorectal and prostate cancers, which may indicate a need for updated policies to include more patients.

Transportation to Cancer Treatments is An Issue for Many Patients

April 29th 2021

By Jamie Cesanek

As transportation to treatments is one of the many important aspects patients with cancer must consider after receiving a diagnosis, there is room for improvement in terms of accessibility and affordability, says an expert from the Patient Access Network Foundation.

Managing the Stress of Medical Leave and Insurance Forms

April 15th 2021

By Steve Rubin

Navigating medical leave and insurance forms can be nerve-wracking and feel high stakes for some, writes a cancer survivor. Here, he offers advice on how to manage that stress.

Addressing Financial Burden Up Front After Receiving a Cancer Diagnosis

April 1st 2021

By Kristie L. Kahl

CURE spoke with a cancer rights attorney about what financial toxicity is and ways to address this burden before assistance is needed.

Understanding Employment Rights for Patients, Caregivers After a Cancer Diagnosis

March 31st 2021

By Kristie L. Kahl

CURE® spoke with a cancer rights attorney about employment rights and how patients and their caregivers can learn more to ensure they are being protected.

Patients with Cancer Living in Socioeconomically Deprived Areas May Have Higher Risk of Death

March 29th 2021

By Jamie Cesanek

Recent study results show an association between living in an area of socioeconomic deprivation and poor outcomes for patients with cancer who were treated in clinical trials.

What Patients With Cancer Need to Know About Selecting a Health Insurance Plan

March 25th 2021

By Kristie L. Kahl

CURE® spoke with Monica Fawzy Bryant, chief operating officer of Triage Cancer, about health insurance options and what patients with cancer need to know.

Advocates for Change: George's Story

March 10th 2021

By The PAN Foundation

George Valentine needs something from his elected representatives in Congress: securing predictable annual out-of-pocket costs under Medicare Part D’s prescription drug plan.

Friday Frontline: Marine Veteran Has Walked More Than 8,000 Miles to Raise Cancer Awareness and Funds for Strangers Treatments, Researchers Use Cancer Cells From Osteosarcoma Donor for Treatment Breakthrough, And More

January 22nd 2021

By Conor Killmurray

From a Marine veteran walking 8,500 miles over the last 24 years to raise cancer awareness and funds for treatment to researchers using cancer cells from a deceased osteosarcoma donor to help advance treatment, here’s what’s happening in the cancer landscape this week.

Friday Frontline: An Oncologist Forgives $650,000 in Medical Debt From His Patients, ‘Saved By The Bell’ Star Dustin Diamond Diagnosed with Stage 4 Cancer, And More

January 15th 2021

By Conor Killmurray

From an oncologist forgiving the medical debt of 200 of his patients to “Saved by the Bell” Star Dustin Diamond being diagnosed with stage 4 cancer, here’s what’s happening in the cancer landscape this week.

Neighborhood Poverty and Medicaid Insurance Coverage May Impact Risk for Mortality After Stem Cell Transplantation in Children with Malignant Disease

December 30th 2020

By Darlene Dobkowski, MA

The study found that the risk increased despite receiving care at a highly specialized center, although neighborhood poverty did not have the same degree of impact on children with the nonmalignant disease.

Friday Frontline: Ohio Law Eliminates ‘Fail First’ Insurance Provision for Patients with Stage 4 Cancer, COVID-19 Becomes the Third Leading Cause of Death Behind Cancer And More

December 25th 2020

By Conor Killmurray

From the Ohio state legislature tackling the “fail first” provision insurances put in place to keep patients with advanced cancer on generic drugs that are less effective to COVID-19 becoming the third leading cause of death in the United States behind cancer, here’s what happened in the cancer landscape this week.

Interventions Improve Survival, Quality of Life for Patients Experiencing Financial Toxicity

December 6th 2020

By Colleen Moretti

Dr. Knight presents findings that suggest financial intervention can improve mortality rate in patients with hematologic malignancy at the 2020 ASH Meeting.

Cancer Support Community Report Highlights Need for Patient-Provider Discussions to Address Financial Toxicity

November 19th 2020

By Jessica Skarzynski

A new report from the Cancer Support Community shows that extra attention is needed from patient providers to address financial toxicity.

Cancer and COVID-19: Learn the Laws That Protect You in the Workplace

November 14th 2020

By Mike Hennessy Sr., Chairman

As some workplaces begin to head back to the office, it's important for patients with cancer and cancer survivors to understand the laws that protect them during the COVID-19 pandemic.

What You Need to Know About Returning to Work During the COVID-19 Pandemic

November 11th 2020

Businesses are reopening offices, leaving unanswered questions for employees who have cancer or take care of someone who does.

Young Female Cancer Survivors May Face Substantial Financial Hardship Due to Employment Disruption

November 9th 2020

By Darlene Dobkowski, MA

Financial hardship, particularly related to debt and psychological distress, can affect young female cancer survivors who may have to reduce hours or stop work completely.

What the Future of Cancer Care May Hold Under President-Elect Joe Biden

November 7th 2020

By Conor Killmurray

President-elect Joseph R. Biden Jr. has won the 2020 presidential election, which could impact the future of cancer care – in particular with the Affordable Care Act and the Cancer Moonshot Initiative.

Cancer Rights Attorney, Advocate Reminds People to Investigate Health Insurance Options

November 3rd 2020

By Monica Bryant

From Nov. 1-Dec. 15, consumers can shop for health plans offered under the Affordable Care Act. One advocate suggests that all patients compare policies to ensure the best fit for their particular needs and budget.