Reply #51: All of the above [View All]

First, if screening tests indicate you may have cancer and you're uninsured, some doctors or hospitals who don't take charity cases will refuse to let you make an appointment for diagnostic testing. If they diagnose you, they are obligated to treat you - so you may get bounced around the system until you find a provider who will let you get diagnosed.

If your provider is part of a publicly funded hospital, they may give you a discount on your care based on income, but unless you are at or below the poverty level, you will still end up paying about 60% of the retail cost of your care (indigent patients are billed at the highest rate - no discounts).

Some surgeons may donate their services, but its a small part of the overall cost including drugs, lab work, scans, etc.

The best thing is to have your account turned over to a collection agency, then pay what you can afford, even if its only $10 a month.

If you aren't near a publicly funded hospital, you may have to travel a long distance to get treatment at one. Also, outpatient cancer care at stand alone clinics for chemo or radiation tx may make you pay cash up front before you can schedule an appt.

Some people try to make decisions about their treatment based on what they think they can afford, but its very risky.

Some just give up and refuse treatment. They just stop showing up for appointments.

Average out of pocket cost today for breast cancer surgery, chemo & radiation is about $150,000 to $200,000.

If you live alone and can't work you'll end up homeless, too. Unless you have mets, you aren't eligible for SSI or any kind of financial assistance (except food stamps) if you don't have dependent children or are under age 65.

Lots of people are going through this right now.