What happens when you are uninsured and have cancer?

[LoraJ]

It looks like my boyfriend's father may have some sort of stomach cancer. He currently doesn't have insurance.

What kind of options would he have?
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[N.Bailey]

I just ran a quick google search for Hill-Burton

http://www.healthfinder.gov/Scripts/SearchContext.asp?topic=406

Our hospital accepts funding (and I'm not very knowledgeable where it's concerned) from them. Someone else could probably answer your questions about it, but I thought it would be a place to start.

You could also look into your local assistance office. They normally will help out too. Again though, I can't give you much info (little knowledge here).

These might be 2 places to start.

Oh, and if your hospital doesn't accept Hill Burton, give em a call, they may have another program in place.

Good Luck!

 

[pearlieq]

Your first choice might be the county hospital - just so you can figure out what you're dealing with.

Is the eligible for medicare or VA healthcare? Those might be options.

Also, you might want to call the American Cancer Society, your local hospitals, and your local, county, and state governments to see what might be available in the was of assistance.

Best of luck to you!

 

[LoraJ]

Thanks. This is a start.
he is currently in a private Catholic hospital. They were about the only place that would take him. He doesn't even know everything yet. He's still in recovery. I'm not sure if he qualifies for medicaid. They said he will be in the hospital for 3 or 4 weeks. Not sure when we'll know if it is terminal or not. they couldn't remove the blockage because it would have killed him. We're in shock right now.

 

[LoraJ]

I tried going to teh Hill-Burton site and none of the links work.

 

[N.Bailey]

I tried going to teh Hill-Burton site and none of the links work.

You could probably run another google search. You might have better luck. If not though, call the hospital and ask if they accept it. Our hospital does, but the one in the next city over does not. The other hospital does have a program that's similar though, so make sure to ask.

 

[lbgraves]

The ACS will be able to put you in touch with patient advocacy groups that can help him get care. Also, when I had to fight the insurance companies to pay for MIL's chemo, I found out that the pharmacutical companies also have their own PA departments. They ended up crediting MIL's doctor for the cost of her chemo since her insuarance refused to cover it. The doctor then was able to credit her account & wipe out her debt. If the Rx company would do that, they should be able to help treat someone without any insurance. Be prepared for lots of phone calls & lots of forms.

 

[mannasn]

The hospital should have a social worker. Have him discuss his problem (finances/lack of insurance) with him/her. They will have the most relevant information related to his current status and location.

Best wishes to him. Hope that it is a good prognosis.

 

[mannasn]

Bump!

I think you posted an update about your FIL in another thread, but I seem to have misplaced it.