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Friday, October 29, 2010 – Daily News – 7A How to pay for cancer treatments a growing concern By Deborah L. Shelton Chicago Tribune (MCT) CHICAGO _ Soon after Valerie Berry was diagnosed with breast cancer, her thoughts turned to money. Even with private health insurance covering 80 percent of her costs, the bills soon stacked up. Her out-of-pocket share for the first three months of treatment added up to $8,000. Paying for treatment is among the top concerns many Americans have about a cancer diagnosis. Most people say they cannot afford the cost of cancer care not covered by insurance plans, according to a survey conducted last year for Community Oncology Alliance, a nonprofit organization of cancer treatment providers. Only 37 percent said they could afford paying an extra $1,000 a month; for $2,500 a month, the figure dropped to 16 percent. And while patients and their advocates expect federal health care reform will ease the financial burdens, some cancer experts say the changes won’t fully solve the problem. People who can’t afford medical care are more likely to delay treatment, which can have catastrophic consequences. A study in the journal Cancer in 2007 found that uninsured cancer patients were almost twice as likely to die within five years as those with private coverage. Payment issues vary depending on the patient’s insurance status, and co-payments and deductibles also vary. But uninsured and underinsured patients alike face the prospect of mounting debt and even bankruptcy. To help pay for treatment, patients have enrolled in clinical trials, sought out pharmaceutical companies’ assistance programs and used patient navigators, who help connect patients and their families with information, health care and other services. Diane Collias, a patient navigator with the American Cancer Society, said it’s not just medical bills that patients are worried about. “Some are concerned about not having an income and how they will keep their job while they are undergoing treatment,” said Collias, based at the University of Illinois at Chicago Cancer Center. The rollout of health reform’s Affordable Care Act will bring changes; the law prohibits lifetime benefit limits and will ban annual benefit caps by 2014. “Millions of people are going to have access to affordable health insurance they didn’t have before,” said Moore. But problems with underinsurance will continue, said Dr. David Eagle, president of Community Oncology Alliance. “More people will have coverage, but it will be inadequate.” Breast Cancer has a very high survival rate for those cases caught early. Please, follow the American Cancer Society’s recommendations for regular mammograms and self-testing. MAMMOGRAM SAVES LIVES (530) 243-1297 2020 Court Street, Redding www.MDimaging.net Bartlett 1395 Montgomery Rd. “Additional Services” • Payroll • Bookkeeping • E-file B0E Open year around Red Bluff, Ca • 527-2276 Marie Bartlett 1160 Main St.,Red Bluff 527-1034 norcalthinkpink.org D NEWSAILY RED BLUFF TEHAMACOUNTY 545 Diamond Ave., Red Bluff (530) 527-2151 Geo Growney Motors To Please We Aim www.growneymotors.com BUICK CHIROPRACTIC, INC. The Les Schwab Warranty: “If We Can’t Guarantee It, We Won’t Sell It!”® 522 Antelope Blvd. Red Bluff (530) 529-1654 GreenWaste of Tehama 1805 AIRPORT BLVD 530-528-8500 Scott Arons, D.C. www.aronschiro.com Most Insurances Accepted Including Medicare & Medi-Cal 527-0121 2050 N. Main St., Red Bluff Hutchings, D.C. Donovan 909 Jefferson St. 527-8844 www.shophouseofdesign.com ARONS WAL★MART Always low prices Always Raleys Shopping Center 529-5540 www.wal-mart.com 1025 S. Main St., Red Bluff House of Design at the Kraft Cancer Center 528-8295 Dr. Red Bluff Thomas John 2516 Sister Mary Columba Dr. (Near St. Elizabeth Hospital) Exchange The Gold Think Pink Pendants in Silver & Gold 423 Walnut St, Red Bluff 528-8000 Sacred Heart Parish School 2255 Monroe St., Red Bluff • (530) 527-6727 Sacred Heart Preschool & Day Care Center 2285 Monroe St., Red Bluff • (530) 527-4388 DIGITAL MAMMOGRAPHY Monday – Friday Call 527-0414 to Schedule Early detection is the best protection! www.lassenmedical.com Chimney Service Cleans & Repairs Pellet Stoves (530) 527-7928 BOB HUBBARD Red Bluff The Tire Place