Press Release
2020-06-15
New Program Offers Cancer Patients Financial Assistance with Household Expenses
COA/CancerCare Patient Financial Assistance Fund provides support for qualified patients impacted by COVID-19
A new program offers qualified patients with cancer and in active treatment a $500 grant to help with the financial strain and disruption of services caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Community Oncology Alliance (COA) and CancerCare, national leaders in advocacy and support for people affected by cancer, launched the COA/CancerCare Patient Financial Assistance Fund to reduce the financial burden on patients in need. These grants will help qualified patients in need pay their rent, mortgage, and utilities, or purchase food and general household supplies. They can also access the plethora of other programs from CancerCare, including psychosocial support, educational workshops, support groups, and additional financial assistance for expenses such as pet care.
Community oncology practices can register for COA/CancerCare assistance programs online at https://communityoncology.org/cancercareprograms/.
Starting this week, qualified patients may be referred by their oncology practices to apply for grants from the COA/CancerCare Patient Financial Assistance Fund. Upon calling a dedicated hotline, patients will be connected with a master’s-prepared oncology social worker at CancerCare who will walk them through the application process and necessary paperwork.
The program is open to patients receiving cancer care at a registered practice in all 50 states and U.S. territories. Patients with incomes at or below 250 percent of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) qualify for assistance. In the New York Tri-State area, patients with incomes at or below 400 percent of the FPL qualify.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has made it difficult for many people with cancer to cover everyday expenses. The COA/CancerCare Patient Financial Assistance Fund and Transportation Program offer a helping hand to those who need it most,” said Michael Diaz, MD, President of the Community Oncology Alliance and Director of Patient Advocacy at Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute.
“We have seen a staggering increase in the need for emotional, practical, and financial support services from patients dealing with cancer during the COVID-19 pandemic. The COA/CancerCare Patient Financial Assistance Fund provides an important boost to the comprehensive services we provide during these challenging times,” said Patricia J. Goldsmith, Chief Executive Officer of CancerCare, a national non-profit providing counseling, education, and financial assistance to people affected by cancer.
The COA/CancerCare Patient Financial Assistance Fund is the second collaboration between the organizations to reduce the burden on cancer patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. In April 2020, COA announced the COA/Cancer_Care_ Patient Assistance Transportation Program, which provides complimentary, door-to-door transportation for patients with cancer in need of help getting to and from medical appointments at their community oncology practice during COVID-19. Staff at oncology practices can request rides for patients when they book an appointment at least 24 hours in advance. The costs for each trip taken through the program is completely covered, and there is no charge to patients or practices.
Details and information on both COA/CancerCare patient assistance efforts can be found online at https://communityoncology.org/cancercareprograms/.
About the Community Oncology Alliance (COA)
The majority of Americans battling cancer receive treatment in the community oncology setting. Keeping patients close to their homes, families, and support networks lessens the impact of this devastating disease. Community oncology practices do this while delivering high-quality, cutting-edge cancer care at a fraction of the cost of the hospital setting. The Community Oncology Alliance (COA) advocates for community oncology and smart public policy that ensures the community cancer care system remains healthy and able to provide all Americans with access to local, quality, affordable cancer care.
Learn more at www.CommunityOncology.org.
About CancerCare®
Founded in 1944, CancerCare is the leading national organization providing free, professional support services and information to help people manage the emotional, practical, and financial challenges of cancer. Our comprehensive services include counseling and support groups over the phone, online, and in-person, educational workshops, publications, and financial and co-payment assistance. All CancerCareservices are provided by master’s-prepared oncology social workers and world-leading cancer experts.
To learn more, visit www.cancercare.org or call 800-813-HOPE (4673).