Surviving financially

I should know these things but I don't think those govt. insurances would only cover certain cancers as any cancer is a life-threatening illness. Things will depend on your state law, so that's the best place to look for answers regarding what those institutions cover.

Gone with the wind! '07 was a very slow time for my contracting biz, I'd dropped coverage for myself as it was too much to carry a year earlier, then my CMT disease, a chronic genetic condition,  wouldn't allow new coverage. Then bang, the diagnosis drops, and the only thing I can get is MediCal [Medicaid] with a $5000 co-pay. Paid cash for the collectomy and all related items, [PET scans ran $3700, then as I recall]. Paid the first $5000 each month through Chemo, did the 12 treatments, then discovered the Desert Cancer Foundation, and got a grant for the co-pay. That helped when Cindy was diagnosed the following December, but I still had to separate, and leave the household so she could qualify for state aid, then Medicare. By then the savings were all gone. I got on the state's high-risk insurance program, rode that to it's limits, then fortunately the ACA was passed and I was able to get that in time for my two liver surgeries. I was within a whisker's length of losing the house and the biz, which certainly was an education about why this country needs universal coverage. Putting me on my ****, on Disability, renting a place at twice what my mortgage is, for the last, say 11 years wouldn't have served me, the younger kids and granddaughter I was still raising, nor society at large.............................................Dave

I've been on Medicare for almost 20 years due to disability (polio/post-polio syndrome).  So I was on medicare when cancer was discovered 3 years ago.  It has covered pretty much everything, with an 80/20 split.  I was doing well keeping up with the bills until I went on a trial that included cetuximab. The trial drugs were provided but medicare had to cover the cetuximab.  Good.  But my 20% of each infusion ate my lunch.  After 6 months, I was into the hospital for $18,000. Medicare will cover infusion drugs/chemo, but if you want the new stuff like Lonsurf or Stivarga you have to have the prescription plan (D).

When I hit 65 last year I picked up a supplement. Best thing I ever did.  Anything that medicare covers, the supplement takes care of the copay/coinsurance 20%.  There is very little out of pocket now, other than a monthly payment to the supplement company.  It paid for itself the first month, and then some.  I was on Herceptin and that would have killed us financially.

Annabelle41415 said:

Insurance

I'm not sure about Medicaid but Medicare picks up 80% and if you have the part D picks up most or some of the uncovered part.  If you get a good part D, it should help you greatly, but you will have to pay extra for that up and above Medicaid/Medicare.

Kim

Medicaid picks up the 20%, if you're low enough income...............................Dave