FAQs

General

  1. What services does the Foundation provide?
  2. Does the Foundation provide Premium Assistance?
  3. How much financial assistance does the Foundation provide?
  4. What happens if a fund is closed?
  5. Where does the Foundation get its funding from?

Communication with us

  1. How do I contact the Foundation?
  2. When is the Foundation open?
  3. Can I return my forms and information via e-mail or fax?
  4. How do I know you received my letter, e-mail or fax?

Eligibility

  1. Do I qualify? What are the Foundation's eligibility criteria?
  2. Can I get a list of the diagnoses or disease states that you cover?
  3. What drugs or medications do you cover?
  4. What is the minimum I need to earn to be approved?
  5. Why do I need to send income information?
  6. Do uninsured patients qualify for assistance from the Foundation?
  7. I have Medicare Part D, can I still apply for assistance?
  8. Must I live in the United States?
  9. Must I receive treatment in the United States?

Application Process

  1. How long does it take to process an application?
  2. Can I get approved over the phone?
  3. How do I check the status of my application?
  4. When and how will I know if I have been accepted?

Once You Have Been Approved

  1. If I am approved, how long will I be enrolled?
  2. Do you cover the entire co-payment or just certain treatments?
  3. How do I, my pharmacist or my doctor get reimbursed?
  4. How do I check the status of a payment?
  5. Does my approval cover treatments I've already had?

Continuing Funding and Reapplication

  1. What happens when my grant runs out? Can I reapply?
  2. What if the grant I receive runs out during my enrollment year?

Other Assistance

  1. Can you refer me to other Patient Assistance Programs?
  2. What other programs and assistance does CancerCare provide?
 

General

  1. What services does the Foundation provide?

    At this time the Foundation provides co-payment assistance only. Co-payment assistance means that if you have been prescribed an oral or intravenous medication (chemotherapy), but are unable to afford the out-of-pocket costs or co-payment responsibility required by your insurer or Medicare, we may be able to help by paying some or all of your co-payment if you meet the eligibility guidelines of our program. (back to top)

  2. Does the Foundation provide Premium Assistance?

    At this time the Foundation provides co-payment assistance but not premium assistance. (back to top)

  3. How much financial assistance does the Foundation provide?

    The Foundation provides full or partial assistance with eligible co-payment insurance costs. The amount of assistance you receive depends on a number of factors including:

    • Your income
    • The amount of funding available
    • Your insurance coverage
    • The actual co-payments you will incur within one year

    (back to top)

  4. What happens if a fund is closed?

    If a fund is closed, a CancerCare representative will be able to direct you to other co-payment assistance foundations that may be able to help. You could also check this website periodically for an update on the status of a fund or call us at 1-866-552-6729. (back to top)

  5. Where does the Foundation get its funding?

    The Foundation can receive funding from individuals, corporate sponsors including pharmaceutical companies, and foundations. (back to top)

Communication with us

  1. How do I contact the Foundation?

    You, or a representative on your behalf, can contact the Foundation by calling toll-free 1-866-55-COPAY (1-866-552-6729). Representatives are available from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Eastern Time Monday through Thursday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern Time on Fridays. (back to top)

  2. When is the Foundation open?

    The Foundation is open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Thursday, and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern Time on Fridays. To better assist you, please call during our working hours. You, or a representative on your behalf, can contact the Foundation by calling toll-free 1-866-55-COPAY (1-866-552-6729). (back to top)

  3. Can I return my forms and information via e-mail or fax?

    No, not at this time. You will receive a personalized application package with a Business Reply Envelope for you to return your completed application and supporting documents. (back to top)

  4. How do I know you received my letter, e-mail or fax?

    Upon receipt of your application form, a letter will be mailed to you stating that the application has been received and asking for any additional information if your application is incomplete. (back to top)

Eligibility

  1. Do I qualify? What are the Foundation's eligibility criteria?

    To qualify for assistance you must meet the Foundation's medical, financial and insurance criteria. Click here to view the Foundation's eligibility criteria. If you call us, we can pre-screen you to determine if you may be eligible—click here for the information you'll need before you call us. (back to top)

  2. Can I get a list of the Diagnoses or Disease States that you cover?

    Yes, click here to see this list. Please keep in mind that the Foundation may add or change the diseases it supports, so check this website regularly for updates. (back to top)

  3. What Drugs or Medications do you cover?

    Click here to see the list of medications and drugs currently covered. (back to top)

  4. What is the minimum I need to earn to be approved?

    Individuals or families with incomes up to four times the federal poverty level may qualify. Click here to view the poverty level chart.

    Note: Family size is defined as the amount of people (including yourself), who are claimed on the Federal Income Tax Return. (back to top)

    CancerCare Co-Payment Assistance Foundation Income Limits*

    Persons in Family
    or Household    		 48 Contiguous
    States and DC    		 Alaska Hawaii
    1 $41,600 $52,000 $47,840
    2 $56,000 $70,000 $64,400
    3 $70,400 $88,000 $80,960
    4 $84,800 $106,000 $97,520
    5 $99,200 $124,000 $114,080
    6 $113,600 $142,000 $130,640
    7 $128,000 $160,000 $147,200
    8 $142,400 $178,000 $163,760
    For each additional
    person, add:    		 $14,400 $18,000 $16,560

    * Note, these amounts are four (4) times the 2008 Federal Poverty Level as defined by the United States Department of Health and Human Services

  5. Why do I need to send income information?

    The Foundation has limited resources. Eligibility is determined based on financial need. Therefore, we must verify financial need based on the supporting documentation you are required to provide with your application. (back to top)

  6. Do uninsured patients qualify for assistance from the Foundation?

    No. The Foundation is only assisting insured individuals who need help paying the full or partial co-payment cost of their treatments. However, the Foundation's staff can refer you to other resources that can help such as drug manufacturers' patient assistance programs and state prescription programs. The following web site is helpful for individuals without insurance: www.helpingpatients.org. (back to top)

  7. I have Medicare Part D, can I still apply for assistance?

    Yes. The Foundation can assist if you meet all other medical and financial criteria. This assistance will be able to count towards your true out-of-pocket costs (TrOOP) to get you through the Medicare Part D coverage gap or doughnut hole.

    If you have a low income (up to 150% of the federal poverty level) with limited assets and are enrolled in a Medicare Part D plan, you may be eligible for Low Income Subsidy (LIS) assistance. If you qualify for LIS, your out-of-pocket expenses will be less. You can find out if you qualify by calling 1-800-772-1213 or online at www.cms.gov. (back to top)

    CancerCare Co-Payment Assistance Foundation Income Limits*

    Persons in Family
    or Household    		 48 Contiguous
    States and DC    		 Alaska Hawaii
    1 $41,600 $52,000 $47,840
    2 $56,000 $70,000 $64,400
    3 $70,400 $88,000 $80,960
    4 $84,800 $106,000 $97,520
    5 $99,200 $124,000 $114,080
    6 $113,600 $142,000 $130,640
    7 $128,000 $160,000 $147,200
    8 $142,400 $178,000 $163,760
    For each additional
    person, add:    		 $14,400 $18,000 $16,560

    * Note, these amounts are four (4) times the 2008 Federal Poverty Level as defined by the United States Department of Health and Human Services

  8. Must I live in the United States?

    Yes, you must live in the United States or one of its overseas territories to be eligible for co-payment assistance. (back to top)

  9. Must I receive treatment in the United States?

    Yes. You must be a US Citizen residing and receiving treatment through a United States facility. (back to top)

Application Process

  1. How long does it take to process an application?

    The Foundation will make every effort to make a determination and issue an Award Determination Letter within 10 business days of receipt of the completed application. Incomplete applications cannot be processed. (back to top)

  2. Can I get approved over the phone?

    No. While we can prescreen you over the telephone, we need to review the financial information you submit and your completed application form before we can issue an Award Determination Letter. (back to top)

  3. How do I check the status of my application?

    You, or a representative on your behalf, can contact the Foundation by calling toll-free 1-866-552-6729 (option 2). Representatives are available from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Eastern Time Monday through Thursday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern Time on Fridays. (back to top)

  4. When and how will I know if I have been accepted?

    We will send you an Award Determination Letter by mail. This letter will include instructions for accessing your award. In certain urgent cases we may call, fax or e-mail your Award Determination Letter. (back to top)

Once You Have Been Approved

  1. If I am approved, how long will I be enrolled?

    You are enrolled for up to one year from the time you are approved so long as your Doctor or Pharmacist continues to submit invoices to the program. Changes to your initial award level such as continuation therapy or for any other reason is subject to a reevaluation and is dependent on the available funding at that time. (back to top)

  2. Do you cover the entire co-payment or just certain treatments?

    Only FDA approved medications indicated for your cancer type and certain related costs to administer the medication may be covered. The program does not assist with pain or chemotherapy related symptom management medications and does not assist with radiation costs. (back to top)

  3. How do I, my pharmacist or my doctor get reimbursed?

    Your Doctor or Pharmacist will be requested to submit an invoice and Explanation of Benefits (EOB) form to the program. In certain circumstances, payment can be made directly to the patient if receipt of payment is provided to the program. (back to top)

  4. How do I check the status of a payment?

    Payments are made within 7 to 10 business days from receipt by the Foundation. If you need to check on the status of a payment, you or a representative on your behalf can contact the Foundation by calling toll-free 1-866-552-6729 (option 3). Representatives are available from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Thursday, and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern Time on Fridays. (back to top)

  5. Does my approval cover treatments I've already had?

    The Foundation will consider retroactive reimbursement on a case-by-case basis for first time applicants actively receiving treatment. However, the Foundation will only consider retroactive assistance for a date of service less than 90 days prior to the date we approve your application. (back to top)

Continuing Funding and Reapplication

  1. What happens when my grant runs out? Can I reapply?

    Yes, if we are still actively assisting you, you will receive a renewal notice in the mail 60 days prior to your eligibility end date. If we haven't assisted you for 6 months or longer, you will need to contact the Foundation for a reapplication. (back to top)

  2. What if the grant I receive runs out during my enrollment year?

    Funding is limited; therefore, there may be a limit to the amount of funding the Foundation can provide per patient per year. If funding runs out before your enrollment year ends, you can contact the program to see if there are any funding options for you.(back to top)

Other Assistance

  1. Can you refer me to other Patient Assistance Programs?

    Yes, you or a representative on your behalf can contact the Foundation by calling toll-free 1-866-55-COPAY (1-866-552-6729). Representatives are available from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Thursday, and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern Time on Fridays. The Foundation's staff can refer you to other resources that can help such as drug manufacturers' patient assistance programs and state prescription programs. The following web site is helpful for individuals without insurance: www.helpingpatients.org. (back to top)

  2. What other programs and assistance does CancerCare provide?

    CancerCare is a national nonprofit organization that provides free, professional support services to anyone affected by cancer: people with cancer, caregivers, children, loved ones and the bereaved. CancerCare programs which include counseling, education, limited financial assistance and practical help, are provided by trained oncology social workers and are completely free of charge. If you would like information about CancerCare's other direct services, please call 1-800-813-HOPE (4673) or visit our website www.cancercare.org. (back to top)