Financial Consultation

The following financial services are available at no charge to all Northwest Medical Specialties patients:

• For those with no insurance coverage, we can assist you with completing, submitting and following up on Medicaid applications.
• Provide resources to patients and families that may help them locate additional insurance coverage.
• For those who are uninsured or underinsured we will research and help you apply to Patient Assistance Programs to possibly obtain financial assistance for medications.
• We may also be able to assist in locating resources to help with financial matters such as rent, food,  utility shut-off notices, and co-pays.

Financial consulting services are offered daily. Please contact us at (253) 428-8700 if you are interested in these services.

Help with the costs of cancer care can come from many sources. It will take effort to piece together what is available. Our support services department will be able to help you find out what assistance you may qualify for and apply for it.

Health Insurance

If you have health insurance, it should cover many of the costs of cancer care. To obtain all the benefits you’re entitled to, it’s important to understand how your health insurance policy works. Review your policy to find out what it covers and what you need to do to ensure coverage for your cancer treatment. Ask your insurance company if they can assign you a case manager to help you and answer your questions.
You have the right to appeal if your health insurance company denies coverage for any aspect of your cancer care. Find out from your insurance company what you need to do to appeal a denial of coverage. If your appeal is denied, you may be able to get help from your state’s insurance department.

Government Programs

You may qualify to receive financial help from a government program. The federal government offers several programs that provide assistance with medical and living expenses. Many of these programs (including Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security) are targeted to people who are disabled or elderly or who have low incomes. Many state governments also have programs to assist qualified state residents with medical and living expenses. Most government programs take time to process your application, so the sooner you send in your paperwork the sooner you will receive assistance.

Co-pay Relief Programs

Many voluntary organizations offer financial assistance to people with cancer who cannot afford to pay insurance premiums, co-payments, deductibles, and other out-of-pocket costs. Each organization offers different kinds of assistance and has its own eligibility rules. Some programs may be available only to people with specific types of cancer. Funds are limited and the amount of funding available can change. It is best to contact each organization to find out what is available.

Patient Assistance Programs

Many pharmaceutical companies have patient assistance programs that may provide help with insurance reimbursement, referrals to co-pay relief programs, and help with applications for assistance. Many companies also offer medications at little or no cost to patients who don’t qualify for other help. NWMS may be able to help you locate patient assistance programs for your medications.