Resources for Financial Assistance

Receiving a cancer diagnosis is not just a threat to physical health; it can also put one’s financial well-being in jeopardy.

It is important for patients in need of financial assistance to speak with their doctor and social worker about available options and how to enroll in an appropriate program. Before undergoing a medical procedure, patients should also check with their insurance carrier to ensure that it is covered. If there is a dispute
about coverage or if coverage is denied, patients can ask their insurance carrier about its appeals process. Patients may also contact their state’s department of insurance if a claim is denied. Another opportunity for assistance is through pharmaceutical/biotechnology companies that offer patient assistance programs that provide drugs for free to qualifying patients.

Protecting Your Financial Assets

Due to the financial impact of lymphoma, it is important that you and your loved ones take steps to preserve your finances. This means making a plan to protect your investments, insurance, emergency and disability planning, retirement and other needs. It is important that you tailor the financial plan to your circumstances. Because financial issues may continue after treatment ends, having someone experienced in handling financial concerns related to a cancer diagnosis can be especially beneficial in developing a plan that works
for a survivor’s individual and specific needs. Your attorney, accountant, financial planner or insurance consultant may help you gather information and provide counseling in this process.

Other suggested resources for finding a financial planner include:

• Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards (CFP Board): call 800-487-1497or visit cfp.net
• Financial Planning Association: call 800-322-4237or visit financialplanningassociation.org
• Society of Financial Service Professionals: call 800-392-6900or visit national.societyoffsp.org

Questions to Ask a Financial Planner

Securing Your Financial Future

Keep track of all claims and paperwork (letters of medical necessity, bills, receipts and requests for sick leave), phone conversations with your insurance provider, previous coverage (“certificate of creditable coverage”), and unreimbursed medical expenses (may be used for tax purposes). There are printable worksheets you can use to get these matters organized (visit lls.org/managing-your-cancer).

If you expect to run into financial difficulties, reaching out to the people involved (hospital billing departments, creditors, landlords, utilities or mortgage companies) and working out payment plans early on can be helpful to avoid a negative impact on your credit score. You can also consider talking to your healthcare team about switching to generic drugs, stopping non-essential drugs or joining prescription assistance programs. You may also consider reaching out to free credit counseling services that will design personalized plans to help you manage your debt. If you find this option is right for you, make sure to use services credited by the National Foundation for Credit Counseling (visit nfcc.org)

Credit reporting agencies are required by law to wait 6 months (180 days) before including medical debts on your credit report. You can use this waiting period to handle pending disputes with your insurance company and take care of delayed payments. If you experience a denial of coverage by your insurance, it is important that you know how to file an appeal. Online resources from Triage Cancer will help you navigate this process (visit triagecancer.org/cancer-finances-appeals).

Knowing Your Legal Rights at the Workplace

Before disclosing a lymphoma diagnosis at work-co-workers, immediate supervisor, or someone in the human resources department–about their lymphoma, research and understand the rights according to the company’s employee manual regarding sick time, medical leave, short- and long-term disability benefits, and the company’s policy on reasonable job accommodations (for example, to allow time off for chemotherapy treatment). Be prepared to provide your employer with information from the doctor,
including the treatment plan and how it may affect one’s work schedule.

Protecting Yourself Against Workplace Discrimination

Be familiar with the laws and agencies that protect against workplace discrimination and allow for medical leave such as the Americans With Disabilities Act; the Family and Medical Leave Act; and Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

There are also laws in place, such as the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), to protect people from losing their health insurance coverage if they change or lose their jobs.

Lymphoma Research Center

The LRC staff are available to answer your general questions about lymphoma and treatment information, as well as provide individual support and referrals to you and your loved ones. Callers may request the services of a language interpreter. The Foundation also offers a one-to-one peer support program called the Lymphoma Support Network and clinical trials information through our Treatment Navigation Service. For more information about any of these resources, visit our website at lymphoma.org, or contact the Foundation’s Lymphoma Resource Center at 800-500-9976 or [email protected]

Additional resources for cancer survivors requiring financial help include:

Medical Expenses, Insurance, and Living Expenses

Lymphoma Research Foundation
800-500-9976 Resource Center
E-mail: [email protected] www.lymphoma.org/resources/supportservices/financialsupport
The Foundation’s Patient Aid Grant Program provides limited financial assistance to lymphoma patients who are uninsured or have adequate medical insurance but struggle to pay for expenses related to their lymphoma treatment, such as medical bills, transportation costs to get to and from treatment, lodging expenses during treatment and childcare
costs while they are at treatment.

Blood Cancer United
800-955-4572 (Main Number)
877-557-2672 (Copay Assistance Program) www.bloodcancerunited
Blood Cancer United provides copay assistance to help with insurance premiums and copay obligations. In addition, Blood Cancer United can help patients find additional sources of financial aid.

CancerCare
800-813-HOPE (4673)
www.cancercare.org/financial
Financial assistance is available for transportation, home care, and childcare.

Cancer Financial Assistance Coalition (CFAC)
www.cancerfac.org
CFAC is a coalition of financial assistance organizations that have joined forces to help cancer patients experience better health and well-being by limiting financial challenges. CFAC has developed a searchable, user-friendly database of financial resources for cancer patients.

Department of Health and Human Services
www.hhs.gov/
Check local listings for a contact number. Patients may apply for Medicaid and public assistance programs that serve people in urgent or temporary need of food, housing, prescription drugs, and other medical expenses

Department of Veterans Affairs
800-827-1000 (VA Benefits)
877-222-VETS (8387) (Health Care Benefits) www.va.gov
Eligible veterans and their dependents may receive cancer treatment at a Veterans Administration Medical Center.

Healthwell Foundation
800-675-8416
www.healthwellfoundation.org
The Healthwell Foundation provides financial assistance to help with: prescription copay, health insurance premiums, deductibles and coinsurance, pediatric treatment costs, and travel costs.

Hill-Burton Free Hospital Care
800-638-0742 (Main Number)
800-492-0359 (Maryland Only)
www.hrsa.gov/get-health-care/affordable/hill-burton The Division of Facilities Compliance and Recovery monitors hospitals and other healthcare facilities nationwide that receive federal funds under the Hill-Burton Program for construction and modernization. In return, these facilities are required to provide a specific amount of free or reduced-cost healthcare to people who are unable to pay. This office provides information to the public on the location of these facilities and income eligibility criteria.

The National Children’s Cancer Society (NCCS)
800-532-6459
www.thenccs.org/financial-assistance
The National Children’s Cancer Society (NCCS) serves as a financial, emotional, and educational resource for children with cancer and their families at every stage of illness and recovery. They provide a case manager trained in providing practical and emotional support to parents and care partners, as well as financial assistance for lodging, meals, and transportation associated with treatment.

National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD)
800-999-NORD (6673)
www.rarediseases.org/patients-and-families/patient-assistance
The National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) administers Patient Assistance Programs to help patients to find resources to obtain lifesaving or life-sustaining medication they could not otherwise afford. NORD has expanded its services to offer financial assistance with insurance premiums and patient copays, as well as with reasonable and appropriate expenses for diagnostic testing and travel to and consultation with disease specialists who are not covered by a patient’s insurance plan. NORD also works in partnership with pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies as well as patient organizations to provide travel and lodging assistance for study participants enrolled in specific clinical trials of rare diseases.

NeedyMeds
800-503-6897
www.needymeds.org
NeedyMeds is a nonprofit information resource devoted to helping people in need find assistance programs
to help them afford their medications and healthcare-related costs. They also offer a free drug discount card that may help patients obtain a substantially lower price on medications.

Patient Access Network (PAN) Foundation
866-316-PANF (7263)
www.panfoundation.org
The Patient Access Network (PAN) Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting the needs of patients who cannot access the treatments they need due to out-of-pocket healthcare costs.

Patient Advocate Foundation (PAF)
800-532-5274 (Main Number)
866-512-3861 (Copay Relief Program) www.patientadvocate.org
The Patient Advocate Foundation (PAF) serves as an active liaison between patients and their insurers, employers, or creditors to resolve insurance, job discrimination, or debt crisis matters through case managers, doctors, and attorneys. A limited copay relief program is also offered.

Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA)
Medical Assistance Tool (MAT) medicineassistancetool.org/ www.phrma.org/
888-477-2669
Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) created the Medicine Assistance Tool (MAT) to provide a dedicated search engine that allows users to search for financial assistance resources available to them, their loved ones or patients in their lives through the various biopharmaceutical industry programs available for patients who are eligible.

Social Security Administration (SSA)
800-772-1213
www.ssa.gov
The Social Security Administration (SSA) is a government agency that oversees the Social Security, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), and Medicare programs. The SSA can provide information on eligibility and coverage, as well as how to apply to any of these programs.

Triage Cancer
www.triagecancer.org/cancer-finances
Triage Cancer offers a tool to help guide you through some key topics that may impact your financial situation.

United Way Of America www.unitedway.org/ www.211.org/
The United Way offers assistance through calling 2-1-1 for free, confidential service linking people to community resources and services, such as emergency housing and food assistance.

Housing Near Hospitals

American Cancer Society (ACS) Hope Lodge
800-ACS-2345 (227-2345)
www.cancer.org/support-programs-and-services/ patient-lodging/hope-lodge.html
Hope Lodge offers free, temporary housing away from home at 31 Hope Lodge locations throughout the United States for patients undergoing treatment and their
care partners.

American Cancer Society (ACS) Hotel Lodging
800-ACS-2345 (227-2345)
www.cancer.org/about-us/our-partners/extended-stay-america
The ACS, in a cooperative effort with hotels across the country, provides overnight accommodations (subject to availability) to cancer patients who must travel for outpatient treatment. In addition, ACS has a nationwide partnership with Extended Stay America hotels that
provides free or reduced-rate lodging for those who qualify.

Healthcare Hospitality Network
800-318-8861
www.hhnetwork.org
The Healthcare Hospitality Network promotes and assists nonprofit programs that provide lodging and supportive services to patients and their loved ones who are receiving medical care away from their home communities.

Joe’s House
877-563-7468
www.joeshouse.org
Joe’s House is a nonprofit organization providing a nationwide online service that helps cancer patients, and their families find lodging near treatment centers.

Ronald McDonald House Charities
www.rmhc.org
Ronald McDonald House Charities is a national network of temporary housing facilities for families of children hospitalized with life-threatening illnesses.

Transplant Assistance

The Bone Marrow & Cancer Foundation
800-365-1336
www.bonemarrow.org
When funding is available, the Bone Marrow & Cancer Foundation’s Patient Aid Program covers the cost of donor searches, compatibility testing, bone marrow harvesting, medication, transportation, housing expenses, and many other ancillary costs associated with a transplant.

BMTInfoNet
888-597-7674
www.bmtinfonet.org/
BMT InfoNet’s Patient Assistance Fund helps patients, with limited financial resources, cover necessary expenses so that they focus on getting well.

HelpHOPELive
800-642-8399
www.helphopelive.org
HelpHOPELive provides support, education, and expertise for patients and their families who wish to initiate fundraising efforts in their own communities to cover the expenses of cell and organ transplants.

Transportation

Air Charity Network
877-621-7177
www.aircharitynetwork.org
Air Charity Network provides access for people in need seeking free air transportation to specialized
healthcare facilities or distant destinations due to family, community, or national crisis.

American Cancer Society’s (ACS) Road to Recovery
800-ACS-2345 (227-2345)
www.cancer.org/support-programs-and-services/road-to-recovery
Road to Recovery is an ACS service program that provides transportation for cancer patients between their treatment facility and their home.

Corporate Angel Network, Inc.
914-328-1313
www.corpangelnetwork.org
The Corporate Angel Network arranges free air transportation for cancer patients going to and from approved treatment centers, utilizing empty seats aboard private company-owned corporate aircraft. Patients must be ambulatory and not require any life support equipment.

Mercy Medical Angels
800-296-1217
www.mercymedical.org
Mercy Medical Angels provides free transportation for medical care to patients with life-threatening disease or a serious health issue their lives.

Industry-Sponsored Financial Assistance Programs

AbbVie
www.abbvie.com/patients/patient-support/patient-assistance
AbbVie offers myAbbVie Assist patient programs that provide free AbbVie medicines to qualifying patients. The Patient Assistance Programs are intended for people that live in the United States, have limited or no health insurance coverage, and demonstrate qualifying financial need.

Acrotech
888-53-STAR7 (537-8277)
www.acrotechpatientaccess.com
The Acrotech Specialty Therapy Access Resources (STAR®) program provides tools to help make reimbursement easy to understand and more manageable. Services include benefit investigations, preauthorization, predetermination, appeals, drug replacement, alternative sources of coverage, and finding copay assistance for certain products.

ADC Therapeutics
855-690-0340
www.advancingpatientsupport.com
Advancing Patient Support program connects patients with case managers who provide individualized support to assist with health insurance coverage as well as co-pay assistance for Zynlota (loncastuximab tesirine-lpyl).

AstraZeneca
800-AZandMe (292-6363)
www.azandmeapp.com/
AstraZeneca has developed the AZ&Me program which is a prescription savings program for patients with Medicare or without insurance. The goal of this program is to make access to medication more accessible for patients that meet eligibility requirements.

BeOne
833-234-4363
www.mybeonesupport.com/brukinsa/patient/
The myBeOne Support program helps to connect a patient with an Oncology Nurse Advocate for personalized support. The Oncology Nurse Advocate partners with a patient’s healthcare team to help address any challenges one may encounter during treatment, including finding and connecting to resources based on one’s specific situation.

Bristol Myers Squibb
800-861-0048
https://www.bmsaccesssupport.com/patient
BMS Access Support Program provides resources to help patients understand their insurance coverage and find information on sources of financial support, including co-pay assistance for eligible commercially insured patients.

Genentech
866-4ACCESS (422-2377)
www.genentech-access.com/patients
Genentech Access Solutions provides one-stop access to a broad array of reimbursement information, support, and services for patients so that they can focus on treatment. In addition to providing information about copay assistance through independent public charities, Genentech Access Solutions can also help with common reimbursement challenges, insurance appeals and coverage denials, and referrals to the Genentech Access to Care Foundation.

Genmab
MyNavCare Patient Support by Genmab®
1-866-628-2271
www.mynavcare.com
MyNavCare Patient Support by Genmab® is a program that provides information for patients, care partners, and healthcare professionals about accessing a Genmab medication. MyNavCare Patient Support® offers access and support services including billing and coverage information, coverage support, financial assistance options, and ongoing support and resources for patients and their care partners. Contact a MyNavCare Support Specialist by calling 1-866-NAV-CAR1 (1-866-628-2271), Monday-Friday, 8 AM-8 PM ET, or visit www.MyNavCare.com to learn more.

Gilead
844-6access (622-2377)
https://www.zydelig.com/resources-financial-support Zydelig AccessConnect offers a central resource of simple tools and services designed to help patients access, afford, and adhere to Zydelig (idelalisib) therapy. The program provides assistance with navigating insurance requirements and logistics, as well as financial support via copay coupons, a patient assistance program, and connections to independent foundations and support networks.

Ipsen
866-435-5677
www.ipsencares.com/tazverik-patient-support IPSEN CARES® is a program for insured and uninsured patients that may be eligible for assistance with medication through their Patient Assistance Program. Patient Access Managers help eligible patients get access to their prescribed medications with the information and support they need.

Johnson & Johnson
www.jnjwithme.com/
Johnson & Johnson offers a program called J&J withMe, which provides access to reimbursement information and support to patients with insurance who need help paying for their medications. J&J withMe also provides prescription assistance.

The Advocacy Connector
www.advocacyconnector.com
The Advocacy Connector from Johnson & Johnson, helps patients find and contact the advocacy groups most relevant to their specific needs. The website provides patients with a database of links to support services related to their specific illness and location.

Kite Pharma A Gilead Company
844-454-KITE (454-5483)
www.kitekonnect.com
Kite Konnect is a Kite-sponsored resource that supports healthcare providers and patients throughout treatment with Kite therapy. Support for eligible individuals may include assistance with Kite Konnect referrals, reimbursement support, and programs to help cover the cost of Kite therapy.

Kyowa Kirin Cares
833-KK-CARES (552-2737)
www.kyowakirincares.com/poteligeo-patients/ Kyowa Kirin Cares can potentially help patients with prescription expenses. If a patient qualifies, an oncology nurse will assist patients with access and reimbursement options.

Lilly
800-LillyRx (545-5979)
www.oncologysupport.lilly.com/jaypirca-financial-support
Lilly Cares® Foundation
The Lilly Cares Foundation, Inc., a separate nonprofit organization, offers a patient assistance program to help qualifying patients receive Lilly medications at no cost.
For more information about Lilly Cares, please visit LillyCares.com.
The Lilly Oncology Support Center provides information about a number of independent patient-assistance programs that may be able to help underinsured patients get the treatment they need with less financial stress.
These foundations are not affiliated with Eli Lilly and Company and are operated independently. Funding availability changes weekly, so contact a Lilly Oncology Support Center representative at 1-866-472-8663 for the most recent updates.

Merck
800-727-5400 for Patient Assistance Program www.merck.com/merckhelps
This private and confidential program provides medicine free of charge to eligible individuals, primarily the uninsured who cannot afford needed Merck medicines. Individuals who do not meet the insurance criteria may still qualify for the Merck Patient Assistance Program if they attest that they have special circumstances of financial and medical hardship, and their income meets the program criteria.

Novartis Oncology
800-277-2254
www.patient.novartisoncology.com/financial-assistance Novartis provides a variety of resources, including the oncology support hotline and their Patient Assistance Foundation (NPAF), which offer quick and easy access to information about available reimbursement and support programs. Regardless of insurance coverage, the patient assistance program can assist with navigating access
to medication.

Kymriah Cares™ (by Novartis Oncology)
844-459-6742
us.kymriah.com/follicular-lymphoma-adults/patient-support/patient-support
KYMRIAH CARES™ is a support program designed to provide you with dedicated support programs to help you access your KYMRIAH therapy.

Pfizer
844-989-PATH (7284)
www.pfizerrxpathways.com
Pfizer RxPathways is a collection of programs that provide patients with financial support, co-pay assistance, and insurance coverage support. Each program provides different services and needs depending on eligibility criteria and medication.

Seagen
855-4SECURE (473-2873)
www.seagensecure.com
SeaGen Secure® is a comprehensive assistance program for patients who have been prescribed products from Seattle Genetics, as well as for the healthcare providers caring for them. Services offered by the program include patient assistance and reimbursement support, benefits verification, coinsurance assistance, claims tracking, and general payer and policy research.

Teva Cares Foundation Patient Assistance Program
877-237-4881
www.tevacares.org
In addition, Teva Oncology offers a Patient Assistance Program to provide certain Teva medications free of charge for patients who qualify.

Secura Bio
844-9SECURA (844-973-2872)
copiktra.com/patient-assistance/
Secura Care is a patient support program offers help with insurance verification and support to patients who are taking Copiktra (duvelisib). Patient support includes their co-pay assistance, Secura Bio Quickstart program, and their patient assistance programs.