Financial Assistance to Help Pay for Medical Expenses

Cancer Care, Inc.

275 7th Avenue
New York, NY 10001
Telephone: (212) 302-2400 (services) or (212) 221-3300 (to speak with a cancer care
social worker) or (800) 813-HOPE (800-813-4673) (counseling line)
Fax: (212) 712-8495
Home page: www.cancercare.org

Cancer Care, Inc., is a social service agency that helps patients and their families cope with the impact of cancer. Services include professional counseling, financial assistance, information and referral, education programs, and insurance counseling at no cost to the client. Direct services are limited to the greater New York metropolitan area, but callers will be referred to similar assistance available in their areas.

Hill-Burton Uncompensated Services Hotline

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)
Telephone: (800) 638-0742 or (800) 492-0359 (Maryland residents)
The Hill-Burton program ensures that obligated health facilities across the United States provide free or reduced-cost medical services to uninsured and underinsured people who meet eligibility criteria. Call for a listing of facilities and eligibility requirements.
Internal Revenue Service
Telephone: (800) 829-1040
TDD: (800) 829-4059
Home page: www.irs.gov

Medical costs that are not covered by insurance policies can sometimes be deducted from annual income before taxes. Examples of expenses that may be tax-deductible include mileage for trips to and from medical appointments, out-of-pocket costs for treatment, prescription drugs or equipment, and the cost of meals during lengthy out-of-town medical visits. Your local Internal Revenue Service office can help you determine which of your medical costs are tax-deductible.

National Patient Advocate Foundation

753 Thimble Shoals Boulevard, Suite B
Newport News, VA 23606
Telephone: (800) 532-5274
Fax: (757) 873-8999
Home page: www.npaf.org

The National Patient Advocate Foundation is a nonprofit organization that serves as an active liaison between patients and their insurance carriers, employers, or creditors. The foundation helps patients resolve insurance, job discrimination, and/or debt crisis matters related to their diagnosis by providing assistance from case managers, doctors, and attorneys. The foundation seeks to safeguard patients through effective mediation, ensured access to care, maintenance of employment, and preservation of financial stability.

Social Security Administration (SSA)

Office of Public Inquiries
6401 Security Boulevard, Room 4-C-5 Annex
Baltimore, MD 21235-6401
Telephone: (800) 772-1213
TTY: (800) 325-0778 (7 a.m. to 7 A.M., Monday through Friday)
Home page: www.ssa.gov

The Social Security Administration (SSA) provides information on your disability options when you can’t work as a result of illness or other incapacitation.