What to do financially?

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Just_Lisa
Just_Lisa Member Posts: 16
in Breast Cancer #1
I am trying to figure out my options during this difficult time. I work at a small family owned store who doesnt offer health insurance; I have state insurance so i m covered there. Because its retail I am not going to be able to work while I going through chemo. Because the store doesnt offer insurance i don't have the option of disability. I thought about unemployment but i dont think i would qualify for that either eventhough i can work but i would have to seclude myself from people and they wouldnt have any work for me. It's a medical reason they wouldn't have work for me therefore (from what I read) I wouldnt qualify. From what I read about SS disability i would have to have advanced breat cancer to qualify which we don't know if i do or not because i haven't had my lymph nodes removed yet. I am just trying to figure out what do financially... couldnt be a worse time with christmas coming and all. Any suggestions would be helpful, Thank You

Comments

  • Lynn Smith
    Lynn Smith Member Posts: 1,264 Member
    #2
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    I know what you mean
    I know what you mean about paying for procedures.My husband has always had great insurance.We never paid for anything.Easy not to getting the bills.Well the last couple years just when I was dx his insurance changed.We pay deductibles.This is the end of the year.I would think our deductible was paid by now with me having mammos ultrasound and husband having tests.Well I get a BILL for over $1,000 for a needle biopsy.Alot of money and it could happen again.I am sure if I had gone on and had surgery which was planned in the beginning it wouldn't have cost me.I would have been a outpatient with the benign tumor removed and a biopsy.So the delay from my doctor is costing me.Taking away from us.

    My husband is past retirement age.His plans are next March he will finally retire but looks like our retirement money will be going to pay off medical bills and we'll not be able to live.I feel for people who have NO insurance.It also is effecting so many that do have insurance.Things aren't looking good for anyone who needs medical help.

    Try for any help you can get.Seems there is something out there for you.I wish you the best.You need to get your health needs taken care of without delays.


    Lynn Smith
  • mamolady
    mamolady Member Posts: 796 Member
    #3
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    You may qualify for SSI or
    You may qualify for SSI or state disability depending on your state. You may want to talk to a disability lawyer. I have heard that they automatically deny the claim the first time then you have a better chance the second time. I think that depends on the state and all that.
    Best of luck,
    Cindy
  • VickiSam
    VickiSam Member Posts: 9,079 Member
    #4
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    mamolady said:

    You may qualify for SSI or
    You may qualify for SSI or state disability depending on your state. You may want to talk to a disability lawyer. I have heard that they automatically deny the claim the first time then you have a better chance the second time. I think that depends on the state and all that.
    Best of luck,
    Cindy

    Here are some idea's .. offered up in the past
    CancerFinancial Assistance Coalition (CFAC)
    www.cancerfac.org/

    Healthwell
    www.healthwellfoundation.org

    CancerCare Co-Payment Assistance Foundation
    www.cancercarecopay.org/

    National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC)
    www.naic.org

    ****
    talk with the social worker with your oncolgy group. A lot of times they will fill out and submit the forms for you. That's what they are there for. And trust me they do a great job.

    *****

    These are 3 of the numbers that Peggy posted awhile back for anyone needing some financial assistance. So, check into them if you need to and let us know what you find out.

    Health Well Foundation 1-800-675-8416

    Patient Access 1-866-316-7263

    Patient Advocate Copay Relief 1-866-512-3861

    **
    know several sisters are having a difficult time and this was in our local paper. Thought I'd share and hopefully someone can benefit from it. They will help pay for medications, co-pays and insurance premiums for those in need.

    pinkribbonprincess.org

    Hugs,
    Debi

    -- Just a few ..

    Strength, Courage and Hope.
    Vicki Sam
  • dyaneb123
    dyaneb123 Member Posts: 950
    #5
    Options
    VickiSam said:

    Here are some idea's .. offered up in the past
    CancerFinancial Assistance Coalition (CFAC)
    www.cancerfac.org/

    Healthwell
    www.healthwellfoundation.org

    CancerCare Co-Payment Assistance Foundation
    www.cancercarecopay.org/

    National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC)
    www.naic.org

    ****
    talk with the social worker with your oncolgy group. A lot of times they will fill out and submit the forms for you. That's what they are there for. And trust me they do a great job.

    *****

    These are 3 of the numbers that Peggy posted awhile back for anyone needing some financial assistance. So, check into them if you need to and let us know what you find out.

    Health Well Foundation 1-800-675-8416

    Patient Access 1-866-316-7263

    Patient Advocate Copay Relief 1-866-512-3861

    **
    know several sisters are having a difficult time and this was in our local paper. Thought I'd share and hopefully someone can benefit from it. They will help pay for medications, co-pays and insurance premiums for those in need.

    pinkribbonprincess.org

    Hugs,
    Debi

    -- Just a few ..

    Strength, Courage and Hope.
    Vicki Sam

    Also call your local ACS and
    Also call your local ACS and Susan B. Komen programs. I'm sure they'd have some good suggestions.
    Hugs
    Dee
  • DianeBC
    DianeBC Member Posts: 3,881 Member
    #6
    Options
    Lynn Smith said:

    I know what you mean
    I know what you mean about paying for procedures.My husband has always had great insurance.We never paid for anything.Easy not to getting the bills.Well the last couple years just when I was dx his insurance changed.We pay deductibles.This is the end of the year.I would think our deductible was paid by now with me having mammos ultrasound and husband having tests.Well I get a BILL for over $1,000 for a needle biopsy.Alot of money and it could happen again.I am sure if I had gone on and had surgery which was planned in the beginning it wouldn't have cost me.I would have been a outpatient with the benign tumor removed and a biopsy.So the delay from my doctor is costing me.Taking away from us.

    My husband is past retirement age.His plans are next March he will finally retire but looks like our retirement money will be going to pay off medical bills and we'll not be able to live.I feel for people who have NO insurance.It also is effecting so many that do have insurance.Things aren't looking good for anyone who needs medical help.

    Try for any help you can get.Seems there is something out there for you.I wish you the best.You need to get your health needs taken care of without delays.


    Lynn Smith

    You might contact the
    You might contact the American Cancer Society. I am sure they can guide you in the right direction.


    Good luck,

    Diane
  • Just_Lisa
    Just_Lisa Member Posts: 16
    #7
    Options
    dyaneb123 said:

    Also call your local ACS and
    Also call your local ACS and Susan B. Komen programs. I'm sure they'd have some good suggestions.
    Hugs
    Dee

    Thank you all for your
    Thank you all for your advice. You girls are wonderful in so many ways. I will definately look into all your suggestions :o)
  • csuzanne
    csuzanne Member Posts: 17
    #8
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    Just_Lisa said:

    Thank you all for your
    Thank you all for your advice. You girls are wonderful in so many ways. I will definately look into all your suggestions :o)

    I'm so glad you posted this
    I'm so glad you posted this question, as I've been having a time with some of my copays as well! I thought I'd be able to do it on my own, but have had my eyes opened wide!! My surgeon has been wonderful about taking my little bit every month, but the plastic surgeon wants his up front...by December 5th! That's my reconstruction date. The hospital tried to do the same, but I told them there was no way I would be able to do that too! I'm going to call some of the number listed and see what I can find out as well. Good luck to you!
    Suzanne
  • Angie2U
    Angie2U Member Posts: 2,991
    #9
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    Just_Lisa said:

    Thank you all for your
    Thank you all for your advice. You girls are wonderful in so many ways. I will definately look into all your suggestions :o)

    The ACS is what I was going
    The ACS is what I was going to suggest also. Good luck!
  • VickiSam
    VickiSam Member Posts: 9,079 Member
    #10
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    Angie2U said:

    The ACS is what I was going
    The ACS is what I was going to suggest also. Good luck!

    Just Lisa .. Please let us know
    which agencies help, referred you to others === or just plain closed the door on your request. This will be informative and helpful to others ..

    Also .. Deanna Favre has an organization to help Women with breast cancer issue, problems and financial aid.

    favre4hope.com


    Thank you ...

    Vicki Sam
  • mollieb
    mollieb Member Posts: 148
    #11
    Options
    Work Part TIme?
    Have you asked your employer if they are willing to work with you? Illness from chemo is predictable -- it might vary from person to person, and it's not set in stone, but if you find out that you are OK the first and third weeks after chemo and sick the second week, can they schedule you for the times you feel OK? It's no fun to work when you are having chemo, but it's doable, especially if they let you put a stool behind the cash register or something like that, and it will keep a little money coming in.

    I have a desk job, so it's different, but I basically worked through chemo -- if I felt too tired to come in, I stayed home, and tried to do a little from home. I scheduled my chemo for Friday afternoon so I could be sick on the weekend, then discovered that for me the worst day was day 10 of the cycle -- Tuesday of the second week. Sometimes it extended to Wednesday and once, Thursday. After I started weekly Taxol treatments, Tuesday continued to be my bad day, but not at first -- as the effects accumulated, I took more Tuesdays and a couple of Wednesdays off.

    I am fortunate to have a marvelous employer -- but my boss is not a touchy-feely guy, and he surprised me with his compassion and understanding. You never know.
  • Just_Lisa
    Just_Lisa Member Posts: 16
    #12
    Options
    mollieb said:

    Work Part TIme?
    Have you asked your employer if they are willing to work with you? Illness from chemo is predictable -- it might vary from person to person, and it's not set in stone, but if you find out that you are OK the first and third weeks after chemo and sick the second week, can they schedule you for the times you feel OK? It's no fun to work when you are having chemo, but it's doable, especially if they let you put a stool behind the cash register or something like that, and it will keep a little money coming in.

    I have a desk job, so it's different, but I basically worked through chemo -- if I felt too tired to come in, I stayed home, and tried to do a little from home. I scheduled my chemo for Friday afternoon so I could be sick on the weekend, then discovered that for me the worst day was day 10 of the cycle -- Tuesday of the second week. Sometimes it extended to Wednesday and once, Thursday. After I started weekly Taxol treatments, Tuesday continued to be my bad day, but not at first -- as the effects accumulated, I took more Tuesdays and a couple of Wednesdays off.

    I am fortunate to have a marvelous employer -- but my boss is not a touchy-feely guy, and he surprised me with his compassion and understanding. You never know.

    My employer is wonderful and
    My employer is wonderful and if he could he would do anything to keep me there. I am the store manager and i basically do everything. The only problem is the germs involved in retail. We have a lot of kids coming in and out and as everyone knows kids (and some adults) are germ magnets lol. We will figure it out-- staying positive.
  • missingtexas
    missingtexas Member Posts: 146
    #13
    Options
    Just_Lisa said:

    My employer is wonderful and
    My employer is wonderful and if he could he would do anything to keep me there. I am the store manager and i basically do everything. The only problem is the germs involved in retail. We have a lot of kids coming in and out and as everyone knows kids (and some adults) are germ magnets lol. We will figure it out-- staying positive.

    I have two small children
    I have two small children who were both in preschool while I went through chemo. My son had H1N1 virus in the midst of it. I just stayed on top of things...washed my hands regularly etc. Hope it works out!!
    Dana
  • Noel
    Noel Member Posts: 3,095 Member
    #14
    Options
    Just_Lisa said:

    My employer is wonderful and
    My employer is wonderful and if he could he would do anything to keep me there. I am the store manager and i basically do everything. The only problem is the germs involved in retail. We have a lot of kids coming in and out and as everyone knows kids (and some adults) are germ magnets lol. We will figure it out-- staying positive.

    Have you found any help yet
    Have you found any help yet Lisa?


    Hugs, Noel
  • VickiSam
    VickiSam Member Posts: 9,079 Member
    #15
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    Noel said:

    Have you found any help yet
    Have you found any help yet Lisa?


    Hugs, Noel

    Curious to see if there is any help out there ...
    with all 'our / world economic confusion ...


    Vicki Sam
  • SIROD
    SIROD Member Posts: 2,194 Member
    #16
    Options
    Just_Lisa said:

    My employer is wonderful and
    My employer is wonderful and if he could he would do anything to keep me there. I am the store manager and i basically do everything. The only problem is the germs involved in retail. We have a lot of kids coming in and out and as everyone knows kids (and some adults) are germ magnets lol. We will figure it out-- staying positive.

    Working During Treatment
    Dear Lisa,

    I worked every day throughout chemo never missed one day during the entire time. I work in a high school. Students as well as faculty had colds, flu and I just never caught one things. I still use a form of chemotherapy drug, but it is not for my cancer but one of my autoimmune disease. I still have very low counts, but again, I don't ever miss work for a cold or the flu. I DO wash my hands a lot.

    I was very tired, when I came home, I basically crashed. Sometimes my blood would not recover quick enough and I had to wait until it did.

    I would always be the last person to be treated late Friday afternoon. I was basically sick on the weekends.

    It is doable.

    Best wishes as you go through your treatment.

    Doris

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