Do Insurance Companies Pay for Chemotherapy?

Cancer in all its forms is a devastating disease. It wrecks havoc on your physical well-being, weighs heavily on your mental and emotional health, and affects your overall quality of life. You may have to stop working, seeing friends, and doing the things that you enjoy the most while you are receiving treatment.

This disease is very costly; not only does it take a toll on your physical, mental, and emotional health, but it also takes a toll on your pocket. The cost of cancer care is exorbitant. From treatments to surgeries, from diagnostic screenings to pain medications; the cost of cancer really adds up. Even the best health insurance plans won’t provide coverage for all of the costs.

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with cancer, you are more than likely – and understandably – concerned about how you are going to cover the monetary burden that comes along with the disease. It’s bad enough that you have to navigate through the harrowing effects of the illness; adding financial stress into the mix is really unfair. With that said, it’s important that you educate yourself about your health insurance plan and what it does and doesn’t cover.

Chemotherapy, one of the most commonly used cancer treatments, is one of the things that you are going to need to find out if health insurance will cover. Keep on reading to learn more.

Chemotherapy and Health Insurance

Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA or Obamacare), private health insurance plans that are purchased through the Health Insurance Marketplace must provide coverage for preventative care; that includes cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy. With that said, however, it’s important to note that not all health insurance plans are the same; for example, your policy may offer coverage for only specific types of chemotherapy, or it may only offer coverage if the treatment is offered in an out-patient setting.

The best way to find out the details about your policy and the coverage for chemotherapy is to contact your insurer. Make sure you ask pertinent questions related to your treatment and your coverage. Find out what type of chemotherapy you will be receiving, and how it will be administered. Ask whether or not you have to receive treatment at specific facilities or in specific settings. Additionally, it’s important that you find out what type of out-of-pocket expenses you will be responsible for; co-pays and deductibles, for example.

What if You Don’t have Coverage?

Unfortunately, if you don’t have health insurance, it’s likely that you will have to cover the cost of chemotherapy yourself. The expense can be astronomical; therefore, if you do not have health insurance, it is in your best interest to find out what type of health care plans you are eligible for, and which ones provide the best coverage for chemotherapy. Though you do have to pay for your coverage, in the long run, you’ll actually save because you won’t be responsible for the full cost of your treatment.

If you need assistance finding a health insurance plan through the Marketplace that will meet your needs and provide coverage for the chemotherapy that you require, speak to an experienced and reputable insurance agent. Together, you can discuss the different options and find a policy that will work best for you.

Cancer care is expensive; without health insurance, it can be virtually impossible for most people to afford. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with any form of cancer and you do not have health insurance, it’s highly recommended that you seek coverage as soon as possible. The sooner you invest in a health insurance plan that provides coverage for chemotherapy, the sooner you will be able to begin treatment.

In addition to finding a policy that includes chemotherapy, it’s also important to consider what other cancer-related healthcare services the policy will cover. While chemotherapy can kill cancer, it also kills healthy tissues and weakens the immune system, thereby increasing the risk of various other secondary illnesses. If you do fall victim to a secondary illness, it’s likely that you will need medical care to treat them, too. Therefore, investing in a policy that offers good coverage is definitely worth your while.

Summing It Up

Chemotherapy can be a life-saving treatment for patients who are diagnosed with cancer; however, it can also be exceptionally expensive. If you or someone you love has received a cancer diagnosis, make sure you find out what type of health insurance plans are available that provide coverage for chemotherapy treatment, as well as other cancer treatments.

After you or a loved one receives a cancer diagnosis, contacting a health insurance agent so that you can ensure you are covered for treatment is crucial to the outcome of the disease.