Please don’t hesitate to ask for assistance.

The costs related to breast cancer treatment can quickly become a financial burden.You may get many bills for just one procedure. For example, you may get a bill from each department in the hospital involved with your surgery such as the lab (pathology), surgery and others. Even if your co-payment for a single bill is low, these costs add up. Out-of-pocket costs (such as transportation) may also add to this burden.

Don’t be afraid to ask for help with these costs. There are many financial resources available for people with breast cancer. Komen NC Triangle to the Coast Community Health Grant Recipients can help!

Financial Resources for Medical Care and Other Medical Items

The Pink Fund
Offers financial assistance for health insurance premiums.
www.pinkfund.org/get-help

Sisters Network Inc.
Offers financial assistance for breast prosthesis, medical bras and compression arm sleeves.
www.sistersnetworkinc.org/programs.html

Social Security Administration
Find your local social security office.
www.ssa.gov

Women’s Health and Cancer Rights Act (U.S. Department of Labor)
Find information on federal laws requiring insurance coverage of breast reconstruction after mastectomy.
www.dol.gov/ebsa/publications/whcra.html

Prescription Drug Assistance

CancerCare – Co-payment Assistance Foundation
Offers health insurance co-payment assistance for chemotherapy and targeted therapy drugs.
www.cancercarecopay.org
866-55-COPAY (866-552-6729)

Medicare
Find information on Medicare prescription drug plans for people 65 and older.
www.medicare.gov

NeedyMeds.com
Offers information on drug company assistance programs.
www.needymeds.org/pap

Patient Advocate Foundation
Find an online directory of drug company assistance programs.
www.patientadvocate.org

Patient Advocate Foundation – Co-Pay Relief Program
Offers financial assistance for prescription drug co-payments.
www.copays.org
866-512-3861

Partnership for Prescription Assistance
Offers low-cost and free prescription drug programs for people with limited income.
www.pparx.org
888-4PPA-NOW (888-477-2669)

Rx Hope
Find an online directory of prescription drug assistance programs.
www.rxhope.com

Financial Issues – Personal Expenses

The Catherine H. Tuck Foundation
Offers financial assistance for personal expenses including rent, utilities and food.
www.catherinefund.org

The Pink Fund
Offers financial assistance for personal expenses including mortgage or rent, utilities and car payments.
https://www.pinkfund.org/get-help/

21st Century CARE
Provides financial assistance for incidental expenses related to active cancer treatments, 21st Century C.A.R.E. often covers costs for transportation, childcare during treatment, follow-up visits for cancer care, temporary housing and more. Patients must apply online.
www.21stcenturycare.org

Angel Wheels
Assists with non-emergency, long-distance ground transportation for patients traveling out of town for treatment. Providing gas cards, bus tickets or trains tickets for travel.
https://www.angelwheels.org

Local Resources

Pretty in Pink Foundation
Offers financial assistance towards medical expenses including co-pays, deductibles, and radiation therapy.
https://www.prettyinpinkfoundation.org/

Caring Community Foundation
Provides assistance with basic needs and expenses that become difficult to manage during treatment.
http://www.caringcommunityfoundation.org/

Additional Resources

Cleaning for a Reason
Cleaning for a Reason provides cleaning services throughout the country for women undergoing chemotherapy treatments. This service provides a free house cleaning once a month for four months to support patients during those difficult times.
https://cleaningforareason.org

For a full list of national resources, click here.

Komen Treatment Assistance Program
Susan G. Komen® NC Triangle to the Coast, in partnership with Blue Cross NC and Susan G. Komen® Charlotte, is proud to offer the Komen Treatment Assistance Program which bridges the gap for underserved individuals who are actively undergoing breast cancer treatment in our state.

With this program, we aim to help those who are facing financial challenges by providing the following to low-income, under-insured or uninsured women across the country: an assessment by an oncology social worker, limited financial assistance, breast cancer education, psycho-social support and information about local resources.

Funding helps women of any age who have been diagnosed with breast cancer, at any stage of the disease. Financial assistance is granted to women who meet pre-determined eligibility criteria.

To learn more about this program and other helpful resources, call the Komen Breast Care Helpline at 1-877 GO KOMEN (1-877-465-6636) or email helpline@komen.org.