No matter who you are, cancer is a difficult experience. Whether you are struggling with it yourself, or a loved one has recently been diagnosed, it is easy to become overwhelmed by the deluge of information and advice that will come at you from all sides.

 

If you or your loved one is also reliant on Medicare, the process can be even more complicated. In the first two posts in this series, we talked about using Medicare to help finance you or your loved one’s fight against cancer (post one talked about original Medicare, post two focused on parts C and D).

 

In this final installment, we will discuss how both cancer care insurance and Medicare supplement insurance plans might help you.

Supplimental Insurance Plans (or Medigap)

Medigap can be a life saver for anyone living on a budget when diagnosed with cancer. While the premiums can be high, ranging from $100-$200, they offer you a lot more flexibility and tools to fight off your cancer.

 

Typically, they allow a much broader selection of medical facilities, instead of the small net that a Medicare Advance plan will offer. They also allow you to remain on your original Medicare A and B plan which can offer perks like better-regulated coverage.

 

Plan F is the most all-encompassing program currently offered. Even if the cost of the medicine is not covered by Part A or Part B, Plan F will cover them so long as they are Medicare approved.

 

It is important to note that Medigap policies will only cover one person. If you and your spouse want the same benefits, then you must enroll twice according to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

Cancer Care Insurance

While cancer car insurance is a newer form of insurance, it is specifically targeted to help reduce the astronomical costs associated with cancer treatment. These programs are slowly growing more and more popular as new statistics emerge that show as many as one-in-four men and one-in-five women die from cancer in the United States.

 

Unlike Medicare options, cancer care insurance also provides assistance with non-medical financial needs while you are undergoing treatment. These can range from child care to dietary support, and even assist you with housing and travel if you live far enough from your treatment center.

 

The main drawback to this type of insurance is that you would typically need to be enrolled before your diagnosis.

 

Cancer is by far the worst plague for the modern American. If you or a loved one suffer from this disease, it is important that you know your options. As we come to the close of this three-part series, hopefully, you are a little better equipped to handle your ailment.