Financial Assistance for Mesothelioma Patients
Mesothelioma is an expensive disease. Many mesothelioma patients can no longer work after their diagnosis, so while the disease damages the body, it also damages a family's bank account. Medical bills are not always fully covered by insurance, and those people without insurance have an even more difficult time. The families of mesothelioma patients try to focus their energy on treatment, but financial concerns eventually emerge.
Fortunately, several forms of financial assistance are available. Some aid may be in the form of private or government insurance programs. Others may come from private and government grants. An experienced asbestos lawyer will have information on many of the options available to a mesothelioma patient while the case for compensation makes its way through the legal system.
Following are some of the resources from which mesothelioma patients may receive financial assistance:
- Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is a public insurance program for United States workers. Mesothelioma patients who can no longer work due to their illness may be able to receive SSDI benefits from past work. Spouses and dependent children may be eligible, too.
- Disability insurance is available for many workers as part of the employee benefits and SSDI. Premiums for this insurance are usually paid out of a worker's regular paycheck.
- Health insurance, either private or employer-sponsored, will help to pay for some of the costs of mesothelioma treatment. However, most policies have a capped amount that will be paid out. It is also important to discover how health insurance from an employer can be continued after the patient can no longer work. An experienced mesothelioma attorney will be able to further discuss the complex issue of health insurance.
- Clinical trials are an option for some mesothelioma patients. They can be an inexpensive way to get in on groundbreaking new treatments before they are available to the general public. The details of how clinical trials operate vary by each sponsor or trial. A clinical trial representative may be able to help with any associated costs of entering the trial.
- Asbestos industry compensation is often available through companies that dealt with mining, processing, and using asbestos. They have been ordered to set funds aside for the sole purpose of compensating patients who acquired mesothelioma from their products. Judgments to receive a portion of these funds may be received individually or through a class-action lawsuit. In some cases, compensation will provide a lifetime of financial security for the patient and the family.
Have you been diagnosed with mesothelioma? Are you wondering how you're going to pay for your treatment? Fill out this form, and we'll give you information clearly describing your options.
