Paying for Cancer Treatment Without Insurance

If you need cancer treatments and don't have insurance, it is often hard to find a doctor to treat you. If you find yourself in this position, give some doctors in your area a call, and explain your situation. Some doctors may work with you to set up a payment plan. If this is not an option, the doctors may know of groups or organizations that can help pay your medical bills. - willieo on 1/17/2012 

I agree that doctors should be able to work with cancer patients who don't have insurance to help them find resources. Local, state and national cancer associations may be more helpful and they may have people on staff or volunteers who are trained to aid new cancer patients. A fundraiser will probably be required to help pay for cancer treatments if you don't have insurance. It is important to get help from all sources, including family, friends, the community, doctors and cancer associations. - Anonymous on 1/17/2012 

Cancer is hard enough without having to worry about insurance and payments. I am lucky and have good insurance but there are many that don't. I am working to set up a local charity to help those who are not as fortunate. Everyone deserves a chance to live, not just those who have insurance. - StillKickin57 on 1/23/2012 

What is really sad is that even people with insurance must pay high costs for cancer treatment. A good friend of mine has had brain cancer for over 10 years. While she is in and out of remission, she keeps working in spite of debilitating symptoms just to keep her insurance. She has still accumulated bills totalling over $200,000. I cannot imagine the size of her bills without insurance. Paying for cancer treatment without insurance is almost like getting a ransom letter, knowing for certain that the family cannot pay the ransom and that the sick person is the hostage. - longislandlatte on 1/31/2012 

Paying for cancer treatment when you don't have insurance can be a very scary situation. The chemotherapy and the associated medical costs can be very expensive. Spend some time doing research on the web. I know of many foundations that have been set up to assist people with different types of cancer to pay for the medical costs associated with cancer. - longislandlatte on 2/6/2012 

It's rather disheartening to hear stories of individuals already struck with the possible death sentence of cancer. Then to add insult to injury those who aren't privilege of having adequate health insurance or the means to pay for treatment are either turned away or limited in options to recovery. The thought of people dying that could of possibly treated their cancer into remission should upset even the most thick skinned person. I hope the necessary health care reforms are taken which will put the health of our citizens over the size of their medical coverage. I cannot understand how a country like the United States who is the self professed leader of the free world, has money for wars while people are dying of cancer and aren't being treated the way they should because they have no insurance or only limited coverage. Let's make a real change. - LizBlizzard on 2/14/2012 

This is one of the many examples of why we need universal health care coverage in this country, and why the skyrocketing cost of health care must be brought under control. Even with insurance, cancer treatment costs are prohibitive. No one should have to forgo lifesaving treatment because of inability to pay. - Anonymous on 2/21/2012 

There are a lot of non-profit organizations nowadays that offer help to those in need of services for cancer treatment. Also, it is such a widespread illness that there is recognition and sympathy for those in need and plenty of resources for people in need to seek help. It can be hard and almost impossible to pay, but search common organizations for more help. - BrendaNY on 2/27/2012 

Paying for cancer treatment, unfortunately, is very expensive. Even more successful treatment modalities for treatable cancers like prostate cancer and colon cancer are expensive. Without insurance, one would certainly have to hope for non-profit organizations to help with treatment. Such things include charities, fundraisers, and community programs. Children have an easier time due to Medicaid and a more charitable philosophy towards children. However, if none of these things are available, drastic measures may be needed for treatment, such as selling one's house. - jwilson on 3/6/2012 

I agree with most of the comments posted. Paying for cancer treatments with no insurance is very hard, if not impossible. I really think that the best thing to do is talk to the doctors about your situation. I think doctors would be willing to help. You may also have good luck talking to the office personnel, as they may know if you can get state help. - Sbu6975 on 3/23/2012 

Most of the posters above me are spot on. I think it's a really tough road to go down if you don't have insurance, but just know that it is possible. - v-dawg on 3/27/2012 

This is one of the arguments used by people who advocate universal health care coverage. If everyone was required to purchase health coverage ahead of time, when the expensive treatments became necessary no one should have to worry unduly about who and how the treatments will be covered. - c62cp08 on 3/30/2012 

Some doctors or hospitals will work with you; also check with local cancer charities and see if they will help. Also, go to your church and ask them to take up money for you. - Anonymous on 4/3/2012 

Cancer treatment is an expensive process, and I agree with most of the comments which express their disheartened feelings when people cannot afford the treatment and are not covered by insurance. My only recommendation is to not be to proud, ask for assistance or take the initiative, throw fundraisers. Take any and all steps you can. - Jononoj4 on 4/7/2012