More information from your American Cancer Society
The following related information may also be helpful to you. These materials may be ordered from our toll-free number, 1-800-227-2345.
More on coping
Children Diagnosed With Cancer: Dealing With Diagnosis (also in Spanish)
Children Diagnosed With Cancer: Understanding the Health Care System (also in Spanish)
Children Diagnosed With Cancer: Returning to School
Children Diagnosed With Cancer: Late Effects of Cancer Treatment
Treatment aid
Prescription Drug Assistance (also in Spanish)
Clinical Trials: State Laws Regarding Insurance Coverage
Clinical Trials: What You Need to Know (also in Spanish)
Learn more about how federal laws can help you
What Is COBRA? (also in Spanish)
What Is HIPAA? (also in Spanish)
The Affordable Care Act: How It Helps People With Cancer and Their Families (also in Spanish)
Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) (also in Spanish)
Americans With Disabilities Act: Information for People Facing Cancer (also in Spanish)
National organizations and Web Sites*
Along with the American Cancer Society, other sources of information and support include:
Government resources
Department of Veterans Affairs
Toll-free number: 1-800-827-1000
Web site: www.va.gov
For information on Veteran’s medical benefits and whether your child qualifies for them:
Toll-free number: 1-800-733-8387
Web site: www.va.gov/healtheligibility
Internal Revenue Service
Toll-free number: 1-800-829-1040
TTY: 1-800-829-4059
Web site: www.irs.gov
Has answers to tax questions, tax forms, and referrals to free tax help for those who qualify
Medicaid – Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) – US Department of Health and Human Services
Toll-free number: 1-800-633-4227
Web site: www.cms.gov/home/medicaid.asp
To learn more about Medicaid coverage and eligibility. Your state social service or human service agency can give you the best answers to questions about your benefits, eligibility, and fraud. To get contact information for your state go to www.cms.gov/apps/contacts/
National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC)
Toll-free number: 1-866-470-6242
Web site: http://naic.org/state_web_map.htm
To find your state’s Insurance Commissioner
Social Security Administration
Toll-free number: 1-800-772-1213
TTY: 1-800-325-0778
Web site: www.ssa.gov
Has general information, qualification criteria, and information about how to apply for program benefits (such as Social Security Disability Income and Supplemental Security Income if you cannot work). Makes referrals to local SSA and Medicare/Medicaid offices
TANF and State Health Departments – US Department of Health and Human Services
Toll-free number: 1-877-696-6775
Web site: www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ofa/states/st_index.html
Provides contact information for each state’s health department, including Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) in your state
US Department of Health & Human Services
Web site: www.healthcare.gov
For the most current information on health care and insurance laws and how they might affect you
US Department of Labor, Employee Benefits, Security Administration (EBSA)
Toll-free number: 1-866-444-3272
Web site: www.dol.gov/ebsa
Information on employee benefit laws, including COBRA, FMLA, and HIPAA requirements of employer-based health coverage and self-insured health plans. Also has and information on recent changes in health care laws. Information for military reservists who must leave their private employer for active duty can be found at: www.dol.gov/elaws/vets/userra/mainmenu.asp
US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)
Toll-free number: 1-800-669-4000
TTY: 1-800-669-6820
Web site: www.eeoc.gov
For information on all federal equal employment opportunity regulations, practices, and policies; publications; how to file charges of workplace discrimination; and how to find EEOC offices in your area
Other sources of help and legal resources
2-1-1 Program Information and Referral Search
Toll-free number: 211
Web site: www.211us.org
May be able to find help in your local area
Cancer Legal Resource Center (CLRC)
Toll-free number: 1-866-843-2572 (may need to leave a number for a call back)
Web site: www.cancerlegalresourcecenter.org
Provides free, confidential legal information about laws and resources for many cancer-related issues including health insurance issues, denial of benefits, and government benefits
Childhood Cancer Ombudsman Program
Toll-free number: 1-877-217-4166 (may need to leave message for return call)
Web site: www.childhoodbraintumor.org
Provides information and other options so that families may better exercise their rights to make decisions about medical treatment, school, rehabilitation, employment, and insurance reimbursement/coverage. This program is offered by the Childhood Brain Tumor Foundation, but services are provided for children and adult survivors of ANY type cancer.
National Association of Personal Financial Advisors
Toll-free number: 1-800-366-2732
Web site: www.napfa.org
Offers objective financial advice on a “fee-only” basis (neither the advisor nor any related party gets paid based on the purchase or sale of a financial product). Also has a listing of fee-only planners in the person’s area.
National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC)
Toll-free number: 1-800-388-2227
Toll-free Spanish number: 1-800-682-9832
Web site: www.nfcc.org
For referrals to local Consumer Credit Counseling Services and answers to questions about bankruptcy, credit, and debt collection practices
National Transplant Assistance Fund and Catastrophic Injury Program (NTAF)
Toll-free number: 1-800-642-8399
Web site: www.transplantfund.org
Offers patients’ families and contributors free guidance and support in setting up community fundraisers to help pay for cancer treatment
Patient Advocate Foundation (PAF)
Toll-free number: 1-800-532-5274
Web site: www.patientadvocate.org
Works with the patient’s parents and insurer, employers and/or creditors to resolve insurance, job retention and/or debt problems related to their child’s diagnosis, with help from case managers, doctors, and attorneys. Also has co-pay relief programs for some types of cancer, a scholarship fund for young survivors, and educational materials on many cancer-related topics.
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
Toll-free number: 1-866-278-5833 (doctor referral number)
Web site: www.stjude.org
Covers all costs of care beyond those that are reimbursed by insurance. Total costs are covered when the child does not have insurance. After an initial evaluation, assistance with transportation and local living expenses may also be provided. Web site has information for patients seeking treatment, such as the admission policy, a guide for parents, and directions to the hospital. Patients are accepted by doctor referral only.
Childhood cancer-specific information resources
American Childhood Cancer Organization (ACCO)
Phone number: 855-858-2226
Web site: www.acco.org
Has parent support groups in most states, offers insurance and legal guidance, and books for kids, caregivers, and teachers. All are without cost to the families of children with cancer.
CureSearch National Childhood Cancer Foundation (NCCF)
Toll-free number: 1-800-458-6223
Web site: www.curesearch.org
Provides up-to-date information about childhood cancer from the world’s top pediatric cancer experts. Has sections for patients and families and a section for friends and the community to help them ease the burden of cancer and show support
National Children’s Cancer Society, Inc. (NCCS)
Toll-free number: 1-800-532-6459
Web site: www.children-cancer.org
Online support, education, and financial assistance for children with cancer and their parents
Other resources*
Cancer Survival Toolbox™ By the National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship. Available at www.cancersurvivaltoolbox.org or by calling 1-877-NCCS-YES (1-800-622-7937).
Mapping the Maze: A Personal Insurance and Financial Guide to Marrow and Cord Blood Transplant. Available at www.marrow-donor.org. National Marrow Donor Program.
Surviving Childhood Cancer: A Guide for Families by Margot Joan Fromer. Published by New Harbinger Publications, 1998.
United States Department of Health and Human Services: Families & Children Web site. Covers many topics, including sources of financial assistance and information on Medicaid and other health insurance. Available at www.hhs.gov/children/index.shtml.
No matter who you are, we can help. Contact us anytime, day or night, for information and support. Call us at 1-800-227-2345 or visit www.cancer.org.
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