@Mindy D wrote:
@Mom2Dogs Could you please tell us what state the person is in and what type of cancer. Certain programs have funds that are set for specific cancers. Is the insurance she currently has through her employer? Is it a lousy ACA plan?
@Mom2Dogs @She might need to switch to an ACA plan, however, many of these plans
are limited and most premiums for decent plans are very costly. She can sign up right now. She will have to read through all the plans, something that is so difficult to someone under so much stress and feeling ill. Someone might step in and help her sort through the plans and verify which cancer treatment centers will take them. Then the person can help her sign up and disenroll from her current plan. If her current plan is through work, the person could help her deal with her HR Dept.
The diagnosis of certain cancers, such as kidney cancer can be meet the criteria for a type of fast tracking for Social Security Disability. I believe the 12 months of not working before qualifying for benefits is waived for kidney cancer. Once deemed eligible for SSDI, persons are eligible for Medicare, Medicare Supplement Plans or Advantage Plans.
This quick track to Social Security Disability Income which comes with Medicare eligibility is called the Compassionate Allowances program. Under the Compassionate Allowances program , certain disability applicants can have their claims processed in a few weeks. There are 88 conditions that qualify under the Compasionate Allowances guidelines. Here is the page about this at the SS website. There's a list of which conditions are eligible. There are many cancers liste, but most only qualify in more advanced stages. https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwiBk66ty_LuAhUCU80KHTn3DNEQ...
Someone mentioned Hill Burton, Under HB, no hospital can turn her away for EMERGENCY TREATMENT in an ER. This would only help if a symptom or symptoms were arising that needed ER treatment. The hospital would bill her current insurance and bill her for other charges. Currently, the program name for the law that covers this is EMPTALA. I'm not sure if EMPTALA replaced Hill Burton, is a a part of HB or is separate legislation.
Sometimes entering through the ER, with existing insurance can get the patient the chance to see someone from Social Services that can find treatment.
see here for more information.
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwj1uMHF0vLuAhWIXM0KHV9OAX4Q...
TRY REPOSTING, ASKING IF THERE ARE ANY SOCIAL WORKERS ON THE FORUM. Same thing for any oncology nurses that might know of programs to help.
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