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Paying for Cancer:

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PRACTICAL SUPPORT

Medical bills aren't the only costs that come with cancer. According to social worker Katie Schneider, L.L.B.S.W., from the Guest Assistance Program, medication costs and transportation are key areas of stress for many cancer patients. For these practical matters, the Cancer Center's Practical Assistance Center (PAC) offers a range of services, like helping patients get wigs or figuring out which national and local programs offer aid for various expenses.

The Martinez family was fortunate to be able to borrow a car from family members in order to make the drive from Auburn Hills to Ann Arbor. For those without transportation, the PAC works with individual patients to find ways to obtain transportation and cover the expense, whether through insurance, community agency programs or other methods.

Social Service Technician Sarita Castro works with Schneider to find solutions for patients' needs -- making phone calls, communicating with physicians and nurses, and keeping patients informed on progress.

"I'm always learning about new cancer resources and they're changing all the time," Castro says. "I connect patients with the resources out there. A number of patients need help with medication co-pays. There are a lot of foundations that help with different cancer diagnoses. I help facilitate applying to co-pay relief foundations."

Schneider says many patients aren't prepared to learn their medications could cost thousands of dollars per month. For Aracelli, whose condition is stable, taking a chemotherapy pill is part of her daily regimen. She utilizes PAC resources to help with those costs.

"They help me coordinate my medication," Aracelli says. "Right now, Sarita and Katie are trying to get me one of the most expensive drugs. They are talking directly to the pharmaceutical company to see what they can do."

KEEP TROUBLESHOOTING

Thornton stresses there are many different ways to problem-solve and think outside the box in order to help patients with expenses. Her role, as well as Schneider's and Castro's at the PAC, is to understand the resources out there for cancer, understand each patient's needs and facilitate those connections to help ease the financial burden so the patient can concentrate on healing.

See also: Paying for Cancer Resources.

 

 

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This article first appeared in the Summer, 2012 issue of Thrive.

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