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Does anyone know of any organization that can help with all the medical bills you incur trying to fight this horror. My insurance only covers 80% so we have bills piling up.
My husband isn't eligible for ssi or disability here in Ca. we've already checked. The first year we paid over 12000.00. now with chemo added I'm afraid we aren't going to make it.
Please let me know whatever you think moght help.
Thanks,
Charlene
Charlene,
You need to check with the facilities where your husband is receiving his treatments and the pharmaceutical companies. Roche Pharmaceuticals gave us my husband's Xeloda completely free because we qualified for their program. The unfortunate part is that you have a job and insurance. That actually hurts you when applying for assistance because the system can't comprehend the fact that you are struggling financially. Because we were self employed and did not receive an actual paycheck we were able to get help. THe biggest injustice in all of this is that most medical bankruptcies are filed by people with insurance. I personally have a $5000 deductible plan so I never go to the Doc if I can help it. I can't afford to pay for my pemium and office visits, tests etc. Luckily Tom is on disability. Our Doctors and people at the hospital were great at helping us get help with his bills. Fortunately he is only being scanned at present and not racking up a lot of drug bills etc. I hope you can find some help. We shouldn't have to worry about our finances at the same time we are dealing with a loved ones devastating illness. Take care and best wishes. Mary
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Healthcare is a right not a priviledge.
Charlene,
I would suggest that you apply for Social Security Disability. If you go to there website, they have "liver cancer" listed as a diagnosis that guarantees coverage. Ken was able to get it and it saved us from losing everything!
Terri
I haven't had the opportunity to check this organization out, but it may be worth looking into Patient Advocacy Foundation Co-Pay Relief. http://www.copays.org/
Thanks so much. We have an appointment this Thursday for SSI disability. When they heard that John is terminal they put us at the top of the list !
Charlene
Well we went to the SSI appt. and since we have a home that's paid for, we're not eligable. Wonderful California says we can sell our home and pay our bills.
That's ok, if it comes down to it we can take a equity line of credit to pay the bills.
We still have about 3,000 left in our savings account and I am getting disability so we'll be ok.
Thanks for all your advice,
Charlene
Well we went to the SSI appt. and since we have a home that's paid for, we're not eligable. Wonderful California says we can sell our home and pay our bills.
That's ok, if it comes down to it we can take a equity line of credit to pay the bills.
We still have about 3,000 left in our savings account and I am getting disability so we'll be ok.Thanks for all your advice,
Charlene
isn't SSI different from SS Disability? I don't think one has anything to do with the other. SSI is income based, Social Security Disability is not. If you have been working your adult life and contributing to Social Security, then you are entitled to those benefits, as well as surviving spouse and/or children
From the Social Security Administration Website (http://www.ssa.gov)
The Social Security disability insurance program pays benefits to you and certain family members if you worked long enough and paid Social Security taxes.
Your adult child also may qualify for benefits on your earnings record if he or she has a disability that started before age 22.
The Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program pays benefits to disabled adults and children who have limited income and resources.
SSI benefits also are payable to people 65 and older without disabilities who meet the financial limits.
Charlene,
You definitely need to apply for Social Security Disability- not the Supplemental Income.
Charlene... Something don't seem right. I would highly recommend getting a consult with an attorney specializing in social security /disability. It's not just the state of California. It is also have federal rules as well. Also, owning your home is one of the biggest security blankets you could have. I totally cringed when you mentioned getting a HECLOC. I would rather work with Hospitals and pay reduced interest free payments and /or apply for hardship consideration. My son with a different medical situation was just approved by his hospital for a charity write -off of a considerable amount due to current health and unemployment situation. You'll be surprized what they will help with if you give them a call and explain this is all I can afford on a monthly basis. It's better than hecloc and subjecting yourself to a foreclosure if hope to God not, but if someting popped up where you couldn't make those payments. Please get some creditable legal assistance. There is a possibility of doing a reverse mortgage in certain situations. I don't want to give false hope or leed you astray but there are alternatives. Good legal consultation I think would be beneficial. I'm so sorry to see this struggling when you guys least need it. Also your local Human resources office has the required forms to request free medicine for treatments. These big pharmacuetcal companies have some pretty liberal assistance programs. Charlene, keep your home safe and secure. Also check out the United Way Foundation to see what they may be able to assist with. There are support and assistance programs out there but have to be searched for. God Bless and wish you the best!!! Hope is in the air!
Jeff G.
Jeff G.
Charlene,
Everybody above is totally right. You need to apply for Sos. Sec Disability, not SSI. It can be done over the phone by contacting the closest Soc. Sec office in your area. It has nothing to do with your state. It is a federal program. Also please check with the hospitals etc. They right off debts and give help to people making a substantial amount of income and if you are on disability too you should qualify. I went through a great deal when my husband was first diagnosed because he wasn't adequately covered by insurance but we have been able to get things taken care of. It required a lot of time on the phone and a lot of duplicate paperwork but I'm very grateful we were able to do it. I still have debts but we have just made arrangements to pay as we can. Remember hospitals can't charge interest on their debts so you sre better off working out a payment schedule with them than taking out a loan. Good luck. I teally hope you find some help out there. Mary
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