Assistance Programs

Help exists. The system just doesn't tell you about it.

There are programs that will pay your bills, reduce your costs, or forgive your debt entirely. Pharmaceutical companies give away drugs for free. Hospitals are required to have charity care. Foundations exist specifically to help cancer patients. Government programs cover people who don't know they qualify.

But none of them come to you. You have to find them, apply for them, and often fight for them.

This is where to look.

Hospital Charity Care

Non-profit hospitals are required by law to have financial assistance policies. Many for-profit hospitals have them too. This is often called "charity care."

What it covers:

• • Partial or complete forgiveness of hospital bills
• • Usually based on income (often up to 200-400% of federal poverty level)
• • May apply retroactively to bills you've already received

How to qualify:

Eligibility varies by hospital, but typically:

• • Income below a certain threshold (varies — some go up to $60-80K for a family)
• • Limited assets
• • No or inadequate insurance
• • Bills that exceed a percentage of your income

How to apply:

1. Ask the billing department for their financial assistance application
2. Complete it with income documentation (tax returns, pay stubs)
3. Submit and follow up
4. If denied, appeal — initial denials are often reversed

Copay Assistance Foundations

If you have insurance but can't afford the copays or coinsurance, these foundations can help pay your out-of-pocket costs.

Pharmaceutical Manufacturer Programs

Drug companies give away their medications for free. Yes, really.

It's called a Patient Assistance Program (PAP). Nearly every major pharmaceutical company has one, especially for expensive drugs like immunotherapy.

Why they do it:

• • Tax benefits
• • Maintains market share (you stay on their drug)
• • Public relations
• • Better than you switching to a competitor or going without

Who qualifies:

• • Typically income-based (often up to $100K+ for cancer drugs)
• • Uninsured or underinsured patients
• • Sometimes insured patients with high out-of-pocket costs

How to apply:

1. Find the program for your specific drug:
   • Opdivo (nivolumab): Bristol Myers Squibb Patient Assistance —1-800-861-0048
   • Keytruda (pembrolizumab): Merck Patient Assistance —1-855-257-3932
   • Yervoy (ipilimumab): Bristol Myers Squibb —1-800-861-0048
   • • Or search: [drugname] + "patient assistance program"
2. Complete the application (your doctor may need to help)
3. Provide income documentation
4. Wait for approval (can take 2-4 weeks)

Disease-Specific Foundations

Foundations exist specifically for your cancer type — they know the costs, the drugs, and the system you're navigating.

Search "[your cancer type] foundation financial assistance" to find disease-specific help.

Industry-Specific Help

Your industry, profession, or union may have assistance programs you don't know about.

Government Programs

You may qualify for government assistance even if you think you don't.

Housing & Transportation

Utilities & Food

Non-Profit Hospital Obligations

If you're treated at a non-profit hospital, they have legal obligations:

They must:

• • Have a written financial assistance policy
• • Make it publicly available
• • Tell you about it before collection actions
• • Screen you for eligibility before pursuing debt
• • Limit charges to insured rates for those who qualify

How to use this:

If you're being billed by a non-profit hospital:

1. Request their financial assistance policy in writing
2. Apply — even if you're not sure you qualify
3. If they send you to collections without informing you of assistance, that's a violation
4. File a complaint with your state attorney general if they don't follow their own policy

Negotiating Existing Debt

If you already have medical debt, these resources can help:

Emergency Help

If you need money now:

Emotional Support

Money isn't the only thing you might need. These organizations provide free emotional support.

How to Apply Effectively

General tips:

1. Apply early — Don't wait until you're in collections
2. Apply everywhere — You can receive help from multiple sources
3. Document everything — Keep copies of applications and correspondence
4. Follow up — Don't assume no news is good news
5. Appeal denials — Initial denials are often reversed
6. Ask for help — Financial counselors, social workers, and patient advocates can guide you

What you'll need:

If denied:

• • Ask why
• • Ask what would qualify you
• • Provide additional documentation
• • Appeal with more information
• • Try a different program

The Bottom Line

Money should not be the reason you don't get care. Money should not destroy your life after you survive.

The help exists. It's just hidden.

Financial counselors know where it is. Foundations are waiting to help. Drug companies will give you medication for free. Hospitals will forgive bills. Government programs cover more people than you'd think.

But none of them come to you. You have to ask. You have to apply. You have to push.