How to pay for it all?

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the daughter
the daughter Member Posts: 33
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
While we are still in shock from the news about my mom being diagnosed with Breast Cancer last Friday- I need to think of everything that needs to happen.

My mom lives alone and works as a janitor for the school district. She has insurance but I know it wont cover it all= where can we request funding? I dont want money to be the reson my mom does not receive the care she needs.


Thanks everyone,

The daughter- Jessica- Houston, TX

Comments

  • Boppy_of_6
    Boppy_of_6 Member Posts: 1,138
    #2
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    Be sure and check with your
    Be sure and check with your social worker at the hospital. They are there to help with problems like this. I think pretty much all BC patients see a social worker I did. The American Cancer Society can also help you find places to help out. I am sure some of the other wonderful sisters will have more ideas for you to check out too. God Bless
    (((Hugs))) Janice
  • sea60
    sea60 Member Posts: 2,613
    #3
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    Yes
    talk to the hospital administrator. I know in Texas there are several potential organizations that assist finacially. Go to this site:

    http://www.texaswings.org/


    Blessings,

    Sylvia
  • Double Whammy
    Double Whammy Member Posts: 2,832 Member
    #4
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    sea60 said:

    Yes
    talk to the hospital administrator. I know in Texas there are several potential organizations that assist finacially. Go to this site:

    http://www.texaswings.org/


    Blessings,

    Sylvia

    Are you sure?
    that her insurance won't pay for "everything"? Typically public employees have excellent benefit plans, including disability. Check to see what her insurance will cover and what her other benefits are (sick leave, disability, etc) - she may not need any supplemental help. Check to see if other employees can transfer some of their sick leave days to her. This can often happen in the public sector and will keep her off disability and with full salary longer. Just make sure she stays employed, even if she's on disability, so her coverage remains intact.

    Suzanne
  • the daughter
    the daughter Member Posts: 33
    #5
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    Double Whammy said:

    Are you sure?
    that her insurance won't pay for "everything"? Typically public employees have excellent benefit plans, including disability. Check to see what her insurance will cover and what her other benefits are (sick leave, disability, etc) - she may not need any supplemental help. Check to see if other employees can transfer some of their sick leave days to her. This can often happen in the public sector and will keep her off disability and with full salary longer. Just make sure she stays employed, even if she's on disability, so her coverage remains intact.

    Suzanne

    Thank you all- I will look
    Thank you all- I will look into it all.
  • CypressCynthia
    CypressCynthia Member Posts: 4,014 Member
    #6
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    the daughter said:

    Thank you all- I will look
    Thank you all- I will look into it all.

    Definitely contact a social
    Definitely contact a social worker or your mom's case manager at the hospital. If she qualifies, they will have her apply for medicaid. At any rate, they should be able to help with options and let you know what her coverage actually is. Good luck!
  • Rague
    Rague Member Posts: 3,653 Member
    #7
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    Veteran?
    Does your Mom happen to be a Veteran? Or the wife of a 100% disabled Veteran? IF so contact your nearest VA hospital (or DAV) for help.

    Susan
  • disneyfan2008
    disneyfan2008 Member Posts: 6,583 Member
    #8
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    has she been told care for
    has she been told care for cancer not covered? I wish you luck helping her with finances
  • disneyfan2008
    disneyfan2008 Member Posts: 6,583 Member
    #9
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    Double Whammy said:

    Are you sure?
    that her insurance won't pay for "everything"? Typically public employees have excellent benefit plans, including disability. Check to see what her insurance will cover and what her other benefits are (sick leave, disability, etc) - she may not need any supplemental help. Check to see if other employees can transfer some of their sick leave days to her. This can often happen in the public sector and will keep her off disability and with full salary longer. Just make sure she stays employed, even if she's on disability, so her coverage remains intact.

    Suzanne

    I was thinking the same thing..are you sure
    I work for school (NYS) so far I have only paid some co pays...sugery, raditaion etc all covered...even follow ups , D and C, Mammos etc...only co pays for office visits. check into FMLA as well to save/ hold her job or position
  • disneyfan2008
    disneyfan2008 Member Posts: 6,583 Member
    #10
    Options
    Double Whammy said:

    Are you sure?
    that her insurance won't pay for "everything"? Typically public employees have excellent benefit plans, including disability. Check to see what her insurance will cover and what her other benefits are (sick leave, disability, etc) - she may not need any supplemental help. Check to see if other employees can transfer some of their sick leave days to her. This can often happen in the public sector and will keep her off disability and with full salary longer. Just make sure she stays employed, even if she's on disability, so her coverage remains intact.

    Suzanne

    I was thinking the same thing..are you sure
    I work for school (NYS) so far I have only paid some co pays...sugery, raditaion etc all covered...even follow ups , D and C, Mammos etc...only co pays for office visits. check into FMLA as well to save/ hold her job or position
  • disneyfan2008
    disneyfan2008 Member Posts: 6,583 Member
    #11
    Options
    Double Whammy said:

    Are you sure?
    that her insurance won't pay for "everything"? Typically public employees have excellent benefit plans, including disability. Check to see what her insurance will cover and what her other benefits are (sick leave, disability, etc) - she may not need any supplemental help. Check to see if other employees can transfer some of their sick leave days to her. This can often happen in the public sector and will keep her off disability and with full salary longer. Just make sure she stays employed, even if she's on disability, so her coverage remains intact.

    Suzanne

    I was thinking the same thing..are you sure
    I work for school (NYS) so far I have only paid some co pays...sugery, raditaion etc all covered...even follow ups , D and C, Mammos etc...only co pays for office visits. check into FMLA as well to save/ hold her job or position
  • disneyfan2008
    disneyfan2008 Member Posts: 6,583 Member
    #12
    Options
    Double Whammy said:

    Are you sure?
    that her insurance won't pay for "everything"? Typically public employees have excellent benefit plans, including disability. Check to see what her insurance will cover and what her other benefits are (sick leave, disability, etc) - she may not need any supplemental help. Check to see if other employees can transfer some of their sick leave days to her. This can often happen in the public sector and will keep her off disability and with full salary longer. Just make sure she stays employed, even if she's on disability, so her coverage remains intact.

    Suzanne

    I was thinking the same thing..are you sure
    I work for school (NYS) so far I have only paid some co pays...sugery, raditaion etc all covered...even follow ups , D and C, Mammos etc...only co pays for office visits. check into FMLA as well to save/ hold her job or position
  • disneyfan2008
    disneyfan2008 Member Posts: 6,583 Member
    #13
    Options
    Double Whammy said:

    Are you sure?
    that her insurance won't pay for "everything"? Typically public employees have excellent benefit plans, including disability. Check to see what her insurance will cover and what her other benefits are (sick leave, disability, etc) - she may not need any supplemental help. Check to see if other employees can transfer some of their sick leave days to her. This can often happen in the public sector and will keep her off disability and with full salary longer. Just make sure she stays employed, even if she's on disability, so her coverage remains intact.

    Suzanne

    I was thinking the same thing..are you sure
    I work for school (NYS) so far I have only paid some co pays...sugery, raditaion etc all covered...even follow ups , D and C, Mammos etc...only co pays for office visits. check into FMLA as well to save/ hold her job or position
  • pinkflutterby
    pinkflutterby Member Posts: 615 Member
    #14
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    disneyfan2008 said:

    has she been told care for
    has she been told care for cancer not covered? I wish you luck helping her with finances

    I also live in Texas, try
    I also live in Texas, try BCCCP its part of medicade, I'm on it and have not had to pay a dime out of pocket. Also try social security disability and in Ft Worth there is a place called Cancer Care Services they help me with prescriptions when insurance runs out, might be something like that in Houston area. Good luck!!!!!!!!!! Keep us posted Ü

    ♥ Libby
  • Alexis F
    Alexis F Member Posts: 3,598
    #15
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    Boppy_of_6 said:

    Be sure and check with your
    Be sure and check with your social worker at the hospital. They are there to help with problems like this. I think pretty much all BC patients see a social worker I did. The American Cancer Society can also help you find places to help out. I am sure some of the other wonderful sisters will have more ideas for you to check out too. God Bless
    (((Hugs))) Janice

    Please talk to the social
    Please talk to the social worker at your hospital and contact the American Cancer Society. Most hospitals will work with you if you contact them and talk to them.

    Good luck!
  • the daughter
    the daughter Member Posts: 33
    #16
    Options
    pinkflutterby said:

    I also live in Texas, try
    I also live in Texas, try BCCCP its part of medicade, I'm on it and have not had to pay a dime out of pocket. Also try social security disability and in Ft Worth there is a place called Cancer Care Services they help me with prescriptions when insurance runs out, might be something like that in Houston area. Good luck!!!!!!!!!! Keep us posted Ü

    ♥ Libby

    thank you everyone- I spke
    thank you everyone- I spke with the Nurse at my mother's Oncoligist and they said they dont accept medicaid there. I pray we figure it all out. My mom has to meet a deductible before the insurance sets in- then it pays 80% and we pay the rest....

    We get Biposy results tomorrow- please pray for my mom Rosa Flores


    Take care ladies
  • disneyfan2008
    disneyfan2008 Member Posts: 6,583 Member
    #17
    Options
    the daughter said:

    thank you everyone- I spke
    thank you everyone- I spke with the Nurse at my mother's Oncoligist and they said they dont accept medicaid there. I pray we figure it all out. My mom has to meet a deductible before the insurance sets in- then it pays 80% and we pay the rest....

    We get Biposy results tomorrow- please pray for my mom Rosa Flores


    Take care ladies

    so sorry issues with $ at time like this
    I totally understand..(my daugther just approved for medicaid) My daughter is not Ill/ cancer but she was just approved after 2 + yrs and needed doctor the other day and called 5 offices (walk in and reg dr office) and none accept medicaid. very sad

    Have you checked with places like United Way? etc...just a thought...

    I also think most medical centers have donations/funds but must ask how to get...
  • mariam_11_09
    mariam_11_09 Member Posts: 691
    #18
    Options
    I had surgery, chemo and

    I had surgery, chemo and radiation last year. My health insurance involved a deductible as well as a maximum out of pocket AND copays.. Please find out if there is a maximum out of pocket. This where I got confused because I had to pay 80% until the max. out of pocket was met. This was a relief. I am still not finished paying off the max. out of pocket from last year and am going to max out again this year as I am not finished with treatment. However I contacted the clinic where I go and we came to an agreement that I could pay off $100 per month. I will be paying this off for a few years but what the heck at least I will still be alive to pay it off.

    Find out from your doctor's office or clinic if they can agree to a payment plan. And as other's have suggested find out about how the short term and long term disability works in Texas in conjuction with your mom's work benefits.

    all the best to both of you.
  • dyaneb123
    dyaneb123 Member Posts: 950
    #19
    Options
    Jessica, also talk directly
    Jessica, also talk directly to the person in charge of the insurance program at your mother's school board office. They will know any services that she is eligble for through the school system....at my school system, we have a sick bank to cover all those days off so that she will continue to be paid, and a supplementary insurance to cover days once those sick bank days run out....If she is unable to return to work, there is also a disability coverage...Her school insurance will cover almost all of the costs and the few hundred it doesn't cover, the hospitals will not be beating down the door for any time soon.I was also fortunate enough to have taken the supplementary Affleck Cancer policy that covered any costs not covered by my insurance. I would suggest that everyone get this if you can. The one financial plus of working for the state is excellent medical coverage, so don't get too stressed about costs right now. Just talk to the people at the school board. They know the answers you will need.
    Dee
  • disneyfan2008
    disneyfan2008 Member Posts: 6,583 Member
    #20
    Options
    dyaneb123 said:

    Jessica, also talk directly
    Jessica, also talk directly to the person in charge of the insurance program at your mother's school board office. They will know any services that she is eligble for through the school system....at my school system, we have a sick bank to cover all those days off so that she will continue to be paid, and a supplementary insurance to cover days once those sick bank days run out....If she is unable to return to work, there is also a disability coverage...Her school insurance will cover almost all of the costs and the few hundred it doesn't cover, the hospitals will not be beating down the door for any time soon.I was also fortunate enough to have taken the supplementary Affleck Cancer policy that covered any costs not covered by my insurance. I would suggest that everyone get this if you can. The one financial plus of working for the state is excellent medical coverage, so don't get too stressed about costs right now. Just talk to the people at the school board. They know the answers you will need.
    Dee

    jessica:
    sick bank...never thought of that...I am in that...luckily I have not ever needed to use it...

    (I joined sick bank asap) Also if not in sick bank or not enough sometimes other will /can donate some days to person in need!
  • cindycflynn
    cindycflynn Member Posts: 1,132 Member
    #21
    Options
    Check your Out-of-Pocket max
    As Mariam said, your mom may have a maximum under her policy (this maximum usually doesn't include co-pays or prescriptions) that she will have to pay each year. I found it comforting to know what my maximum expenses would be, and since I was diagnosed in September of '09, I was able to contribute more money in 2010 to my flexible spending account the next year to pay those expenses on a pre-tax basis.

    As others have said, most hospitals and doctors will work out payment plans with you, but it's a good idea to find out as much as you can about what her insurance covers.

    Take care,
    Cindy

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