When you or your loved one receives a diagnosis of mesothelioma, the clock starts ticking. You must quickly determine not only the best mesothelioma treatment options, but how to pay for all the treatment you need to combat mesothelioma. Support is available to you in many forms. One of the first steps you should consider is contacting one of our legal professionals to learn more about your scenario and if a mesothelioma lawsuit is the right step for you. Another good way to learn more about options is to contact our mesothelioma family advocate.
Determining any benefits available through insurance will be important. You may have the option to receive payments from your health insurance, disability insurance, and Social Security. You will need to learn how much coverage is available to you and what mesothelioma treatments will be covered.
There are several government agencies and programs that help mesothelioma victims and families. You may find that you need one or more agencies to provide assistance to your and your family. Following is a list of such agencies. While not comprehensive, this list will provide you with a good starting place to learn about the various options you have to fund your mesothelioma treatment.
Medicare
Medicare is a health insurance program for people aged 65 or older and people of all ages with kidney failure. People under the age of 65 may be eligible depending upon their disability. Medicare has two parts: part A for hospital insurance, and part B for medical insurance. Medicare allows you to select from their various coverage options, including prescription coverage, in order to cover your medical needs or supplement your coverage of other insurance.
To learn more, visit the Medicare web site.
Medicaid
Medicaid is available to certain low-income individuals and families who fit the eligibility group profile recognized by federal and state law. Medicaid provides payments directly to health care providers, and depending upon your state’s guidelines, you may be asked to pay a part of the cost (co-payment) for some medical services.
Because each state administers its own program as well as sets its own guidelines, you should familiarize yourself with your state’s specific rules. Visit the Medicaid web site to learn how your state administers its program.
Veterans Health Administration
The Veterans Health Administration provides health care benefits to eligible veterans. Eligibility for most veterans is based solely on active military service in the Army, Navy, Air force, Marines, Coast Guard, or Merchant Marines during World War II. Other groups, such as Reservists and National Guard members, may qualify for VA health care benefits. Health care eligibility is not just for those who served in combat, and does provide some benefits to family members of eligible veterans. Veterans are common victims of mesothelioma and may be eligible for financial aid.
For more information, including a list of cancer centers, see the Veterans Health Administration web site.
Additionally, the Mesothelioma Family Resource Center has pages providing information and additional resources, including: