I have a friend with cancer and no insurance in Florida. Need resources please

[winterpark]

One of my close friends has just been diagnosed with colon cancer. He went to the emergency room last Friday and was admitted. Over the weekend he was diagnosed. He had surgery for the tumor yesterday and they also found something on his liver which they won't talk about because none of us has power of attorney yet. We're working on that today.

He's 51. Has no insurance. He has no family except for his mom in Texas. He makes too much to qualify for medicaid. One of our co-workers wives works for the American Cancer Society and is helping him with some paperwork to get some relief from them, but it won't cover it all. They've said the surgery and post surgery bill will probably be $500,000.

The hospital also told him they can't do any chemotherapy or meds for after he's released because of his no insurance.

Can someone recommend any resources we can check out for him so he can have meds/treatment after leaving hospital and some way to get his hospital bill taken care of?

Any help is appreciated. We're in the Orlando area. He's in South Seminole Hospital in Longwood, Fl.

Thanks.

[Tanuki]

1. Try this website:

www.needymeds.org
In addition to reduced cost medication coverage programs, there is a state-by-state list of free and low cost clinics, under the "additional resources" section in the left margin. Good luck to your friend.

[winterpark]

2. Thanks. I'll check it out now. n/t

[winterpark]

3. Anyone else have any other suggestions?

[sinkingfeeling]

4. Try the cancer organizations like this one:

http://www.cancercare.org/tagged/financial_assistance

[NightWatcher]

5. talk to the hospital's finance people. Sometimes they can write some off

I was able to get Medicaid to pay for some of mine and the hospital, a catholic nonprofit in Jacksonville wrote off the rest. All I had to pay were the kidney and liver guys' visit fees (under $600 total).

It also sounds terrible, but if the prognosis isnt too good, just try to drag out payment (as long as you wont be burdening a spouse with the debt). Also, dont sign anything from the hospital that might list you as a responsible party. You dont want to accept any of his debt.

If my condition worsens or I cant get (if I need) organ transplants taken care of, I'm prepared to have divorce papers written up so that I wont saddle my wife and kid with my medical debt. Ya gotta love America

[nashville_brook]

6. please consider sharing your story with FloridaCHAIN or Enroll America

http://floridachain.org/share-your-story-anonymous/


I'll ask around, too.

Usually there are social workers employed in hospitals that can help, but it completely depends on the quality of the department there. I've known some amazingly helpful folks and personally encountered really bad ones. My fingers are crossed that you get something helpful from the American Cancer Society. Tell him to make as many personal contacts as possible.

If he needs an expensive procedure quickly, he might consider traveling to Costa Rica which is a popular destination for medical procedures and easy to access from Florida. and, I KNOW -- i can't believe this is the best answer. It makes me sick to think the solution is traveling to Central America.

Hopefully something better will present itself.


I looked up the "need it now" info on ACA and this is what it says:

https://www.healthcare.gov/what-if-i-need-coverage-that-starts-before-january-2014/

[winterpark]

7. Thanks all. If anyone else has a suggestion, keep em coming. n/t