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Any help with the cost?

fasi
  • By fasi
  • Posted May 14, 2009 at 7:01 pm · 15 replies
  • Shared with the public
0 Recommendations

My brother in law was diagnosed a few days ago with cancer at stage 4..it was very sudden. We were told about a clinic in Reno but it is highly expensive. We've only managed to come up with half of the cost and because of the economy, no one or bank or anyone is able to loan anything. We've sold valuables and asking coworkers for donations, but he's getting weaker every day. I am asking if there is a facility that can work out a payment plan and loan us the rest(25K)? We're still holding hope with car wash and generosity of strangers, and probably could make it within months, and thats something he does not have.

Please, is there a facility or an organization that will do a payment plan or offer a loan?

Thanks,
fasi

Posted in:

Explore topics in this journal entry and replies:

Cancer Leukemia Stomach cancer Stress

15 replies

quacker

There are companies that will buy life insurance policies of cancer patients. They don't give you the full face amount, but it is the best way to get cash quickly when you need it. I don't know the names offhand, but you could probably find them on the Internet.

fasi

I've goggled and all i get are how to buy life insurance, or maybe i'm searching the wrong word(s). i will keep searching; thank you so much for the information.

kq182

With a diagnosis of Stage IV, your brother-in-law should be able to SSI Disability and get Medicare, possibly Medicaid if his resources are extremely low. There is No reason why someone with cancer in this country should not be treated regardless of insurance or money, check out charity cases with hospitals, they call them hardship cases, they might write off all the expenses, What is most important is that he gets treatment somewhere that will take him, Good luck, get him treatment ASAP. Karen

Rj

HUGH DITTO TO kq182. ssd and medicare may take time to approve him but, I'm pretty sure they will pay retroactively. IS RENO THE ONLY PLACE? get him started with treatment ASAP,
GOOD LUCK
Rj

fasi

Thank you all for your helpful suggestion. I suppose i should have mentioned he does not want chemo for personal beliefs but opted for Alternative/Intergrative medicine. He has health insurance, but insurance companies do not considered alternative medicine to be modern medicines. He is going through the process of a withdrawing from his 401k but that takes time. He starts treatment this week with what money we have and we're hoping for the best.
Thank you all.

ACCPatient

Try the American Cancer Society, they may be able to help identify local charity organizations that can help with cost for treatment and other cost, such as travel, and in some cases daily living expenses.

kss1204

Here is a website that may offer help...
http://www.patientadvocate.org/

Tigerette

Hello fasi;
The Phila cancer society will help you find other ways, but i've been working with them also, they did run out of money, in which i was told. they do halp me with a gas card. but you have to keep a log, they willl send it to you, have it filled out by doctor or the nurses, they give you .27 cents a mile. I also been looking for some financial help, have no family, or friends that can help. we also spent all our 401K on his chemo, it only took 10 days to get it by mail. if you explain to them it takes time they will work with you, I know we did the same thing with Frankford hospital cancer center. if we did not pay something they were going to stop his treatments. then we were eligible for medicare and medicaid. which went back 3 months they paid for. If any questions plz email me I'll try to help you out with insurance info. but i tried so many organzations for help but they all tell me there is no money left b/c so many ppl are out of work. I can understand that, but i feel it should be used for ppl that can not go back to work. disable ppl not working ppl they can find another job.

gimpys1

I am only on for a few minutes and haven't had time to read all the posts, but you can look into Pfizer corporation for help with meds/med costs and even look into Montel William and his program for help for those who can't pay for the costs. It might help some with this angle. I hope it does and please let us know.

fasi

I want to thank you all for alll the much informative informations. I'm exhausted mentally, but with the support i see on here, i dont have time to be exhausted. Thank you all.

judithanne

You don't mention what kind of cancer your brother in law has. Patient Services at hospitals usually have a list of funding sources. If he has a blood cancer, you might try the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. They offer annual assistance up to $5,000. Social Security Disability is very difficult to get and you should have an attorney represent you. You have to supply medical records from an accredited hospital or clinic. Most certainly you will have to apply two or three times. FYI, certain cancers are not considered disabilities by the Federal Government and your doctor has to supply medical proof that you will be dead within a year. You might try Fifth Season Financial Corp. if you are willing to take a loan out against a term life insurance policy. Telephone # 866-459=1271.
I am sure there are other alternative cancer treatment centers besides those in Reno, Nevada. Have you tried Cancer Treatment Centers of America?

judithanne

Hi, Fasi!

It seems a bit suspicious that the treatment center in Reno wants money up front before giving treatment. Don't legitimate centers bill you during and/or after treatment? Seems to me you could establish a payment plan with the center in Reno.

fasi

Judithanne and everyone, thank you so much.
My bro-in-law passed away on the 13th of June.
I was never a huge believer in alternative medicine; least not with a center that wanted money upfront, but i supported his decision.
He was a great brother in law, friend and an all around person and he is greatly and deeply missed.

Once again, thank you all for your support.

fasi

I'm sorry, it was Stomach Cancer and two days before he was to finish treatment, he took a nose dive and never recovered. We drove 4hrs to be by his side and although we arrived too late, we were able to say goodbye.

judithanne

My deepest condolences to you and your family. I wish I had picked up your post in May. I want you to know I was not criticizing your brother=in=law's decision to turn to alternative methods for the treatment of his cancer, but I thought it horrible that your family was put through all the financial stress by the center he chose. No one fighting cancer should be put through that stress. The stess of being seriously ill is stress enough. Again, my sympathy.

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