So you have cancer and no insurance? Wow, it sucks to be you. But, believe it or not, there are ways around this, so try not to freak. I’m warning you now, though, this is going to require some work on your part. The only real knowledge I have on this is my personal experience, of having cancer and no insurance, but I’m glad to share it with you.


(Me and Bug, The Good Ol' Days)

1. Go and talk to your family physician.
This may seem trivial and pointless to pay for a doctor’s visit right now, but it’s my advice to you. Having worked for doctors, I know that if you have an appointment, you’ll have way more results than just calling and trying to get help, even if you know the doctor well. We’ve all got stuff we don’t go to the doctor about- allergies, back pain, cramps, whatever. Just set an appointment, and then once you go over your little thing, tell them about what you’re going through: that you’ve been having a really hard time finding an oncologist to see you. Having been through this myself, I know that my doctor knew way more about who to see and what to do than I would have ever found out on my own. If you don’t have a family physician, find one today. A lot of communities (especially Muslim) have doctors that offer doctor’s visits for very low price as a community service, and they’ll know who you can contact for help with an oncologist.

2. Call the American Cancer Society.
Speak with someone in financial care. There’s a ton of information out there about what drug companies may offer free meds and what local organizations may be able to help you.

3. Call Adult Protective Services.
In my case, I was unable to walk for a long time and my doctor told me I’d be incapacitated during interferon treatment. That meant that I qualified for SSI, which meant I also qualified for Medicaid, a government issued type of insurance. You may qualify, too, depending on your condition. A case worker will be able to offer services that you may not be familiar with and it’s a great help.

4. Check out your local area.
Some counties have county hospitals that will be able to offer you treatment for a very low cost if you qualify. Other communities offer health clinics where you’ll be able to speak with doctors who are basically working not-for-profit. The American Cancer Society will also be able to help you with this info.