Help Your Patients Find Financial Resources

January 03, 2017 by Deborah Christensen MSN, APRN, AOCNS®

The financial burden associated with cancer treatment is reaching new heights. In the heat of making decisions, patients and their families may drastically deplete their finances to reap the advantage a new drug may offer.

According to the National Cancer Institute ([NCI] (https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/managing-care/financial-toxicity-hp-pdq), 2016), 22%–64% of patients with cancer worry about their financial situation. High out-of-pocket costs, loss of work-related income, and accumulated debts are some of the situational factors leading to financial distress. Some people may actively seek out financial resources, whereas others remain stoic in the face of financial ruin. The good news is that there are various copay assistance programs and foundations that can help patients who meet each organization’s qualifications.

 

Helping patients deal with the financial burdens associated with cancer treatment and other illnesses is very rewarding. Oncology nurses can give patients reputable and reliable financial resources to help them receive the treatments they need and reduce some of the financial toxicity of cancer care (https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/managing-care/financial-toxicity-hp-pdq).

High out-of-pocket costs, .loss of work-related income, and accumulated debts are some of the situational factors leading to financial distress.


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