The Virginia Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program, also known as
the Every Woman's Life Program, contracts with screening sites throughout
Virginia to provide free mammograms, clinical breast exams, Pap tests and pelvic
exams to women who qualify. If breast or cervical cancer is diagnosed after
obtaining screening through the Every Woman's Life program, treatment may be
provided free of charge through Medicaid. Screenings are provided Monday through
Friday from 8:00 a.m.-4:30p.m. at the Wise County Health Department.
To find out if you qualify for free a free screening
and to schedule your visit, contact Carys Jones at the LENOWISCO Health
Department at 276.328.8000.
The
Southwest Virginia Regional Cancer Center
Free
Screenings & Financial Support Services
The Southwest Virginia Regional Cancer Center offers three free screenings per
year. A staff member in Financial Support Services also works with patients who
are uninsured or underinsured to find insurance and additional resources. The
Cancer Center will not turn away a patient regardless of ability to pay. For
more information, call 276.679.5874.
I CAN'T AFFORD HEALTH CARE
Patient Advocate
Foundation
Although the Patient Advocate Foundation does not provide direct assistance,
their case managers will work to connect you with resources regarding access to
care, job retention, debt crisis, social security, insurance and appeals, and
other patient issues. For assistance, call 800.532.5274, and ask to speak to a
case manager. You can also visit
www.patientadvocate.org, and click on “Personal Help.” Go to “Request
Assistance” and then to “Patient Assistance with a Case Manager.” You will be
asked to complete a brief application that includes name, gender, birthday,
address, phone number, and diagnosis. Later, in order for a case manager to help
you, you will probably need to supply additional information. Be sure to keep
all of your billing and medical information together so you can easily provide
the necessary information.
The American
Cancer Society Patient Resource Navigation System
Call 1.800.227.2345, and ask to speak to a Patient Navigator. He or she will be
happy to assist you in locating resources to meet your needs.
CancerCare
Visit
www.cancercare.org for a list of financial resources, or call 800.813.4673.
Commonwealth of
Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services Uninsured Medical Catastrophe
Fund
This fund was established by the General Assembly to provide funds for uninsured
persons who need treatment for a life threatening illness or injury. Generally,
to quality you must: be a citizen of the US or a legal resident alien, be a
resident of Virginia, have gross family income at or below 300% of the federal
poverty guidelines, have a life-threatening illness or injury, be uninsured and
not eligible for coverage for the needed treatment through private health
insurance or federal, state, or local government medical assistance programs,
provide a medical treatment plan certified by your treating physician, identify
a provider who is willing to accept the global fee established for the medical
treatment plan. Applications are available at
http://www.dmas.virginia.gov or by calling 1.800.432.5924. There are also
applications available at the Mountain Laurel Cancer Support and Resource
Center.
Stone Mountain
Health Services
Stone Mountain Health Services is a network of community health centers which
are facilities that receive federal funds to create access for patients who have
low incomes through a sliding scale of service charges. For a listing of all of
the Stone Mountain Health Services Clinics in the area, contact Trina McFarland
Kern at the Mountain Laurel Cancer Support and Resource Center at 276.523.4202
ext. 448.
St. Jude Children’s
Research Hospital
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, located in Memphis, Tennessee, is one of
the world’s premier pediatric cancer research centers. Its mission is to find
cures for children with cancer and other catastrophic diseases through research
and treatment.
Patients at St. Jude are referred by a physician, and nearly all have a disease
currently under study making them eligible for a research protocol. All patients
accepted for treatment at St. Jude are treated without regard to the family's
ability to pay. St. Jude covers all costs of treatment at St. Jude beyond those
reimbursed by third-party insurers, and total costs at St. Jude when no
insurance is available. St. Jude also provides assistance with transportation
costs and local living expenses during treatments. Parents who wish to have
their children treated at St. Jude must have their child’s physician contact St.
Jude by phone at 866.278.5833 or by email at
referralinfo@stjude.org. Physicians may also make online referrals at
www.stjude.org. The Johnson City Medical Center in Johnson City, TN is a St.
Jude affiliate.
The University
of Virginia Cancer Center
The University of Virginia offers financial assistance for treatment to those
who qualify. Talk with the professionals who completed your screening about
referring you to the University of Virginia. You may contact Trina McFarland
Kern at the Mountain Laurel Cancer Support and Resource Center at 276.523.4202
ext. 448 to request the financial screening forms and for assistance completing
them. You may also contact the University of Virginia Cancer Center at
(800) 223-9173.
I
CAN'T AFFORD MEDICATION.
American Cancer
Society
The American Cancer Society offers limited prescription assistance. To apply
please call 1.800.ACS.2345.
Medicare prescription drug coverage is insurance that covers both brand-name and
generic prescription drugs at participating pharmacies in your area. Medicare
prescription drug coverage provides protection for people who have very high
drug costs or from unexpected prescription drug bills in the future.
Everyone with Medicare is eligible for this coverage, regardless of income and
resources, health status, or current prescription expenses.
Like other insurance, if you join, generally you will pay a monthly premium,
which varies by plan, and a yearly deductible. You will also pay a part of the
cost of your prescriptions, including a copayment or coinsurance. Costs will
vary depending on which drug plan you choose. Some plans may offer more coverage
and additional drugs for a higher monthly premium. If you have limited income
and resources, and you qualify for extra help, you may not have to pay a premium
or deductible. You can apply or get more information about the extra help by
calling Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) or by visiting
www.socialsecurity.gov on the web. Mountain Empire Older Citizens, Inc.
staff members are also trained to assist Medicare beneficiaries in choosing a
Medicare Part D plan.
CancerCare
CancerCare offers limited prescription assistance. To apply please visit
www.cancercare.org or call 800.813.4673.
I NEED
TRANSPORTATION TO MY DOCTOR'S APPOINTMENTS.
American
Cancer Society’s Road to Recovery
The
Road to Recovery program provides rides to and from treatment for people with
cancer who do not have a ride or are unable to drive themselves. Volunteer
drivers donate their time and the use of their cars so that patients can receive
the treatments they need. Call Margie Horton at
276.393.6575.
I
HAVE TRANSPORTATION, BUT I NEED ASSISTANCE WITH GASOLINE.
American Cancer
Society Gas Cards
Gas cards are available in varied amounts for those with scheduled chemotherapy
or radiation appointments. To apply please call 1.800.ACS.2345 (Ask specifically
for transportation assistance).
CancerCare
Transportation Assistance
Transportation Assistance is available in varied amounts for those with
scheduled chemotherapy or radiation appointments. To apply please visit
www.cancercare.org or call 800.813.4673.
I
NEED TO STAY OVERNIGHT FOR TREATMENT, BUT I CAN'T AFFORD LODGING.
The American
Cancer Society’s Hope Lodge
The American Cancer Society’s Hope Lodge offers cancer patients and their
families a free, temporary place to stay when their best hope for effective
treatment may be in another city. Hope Lodge locations include Gainesville, FL,
Atlanta, GA, Lexington, KY, Greenville, NC, Charleston, SC, and Nashville, TN,
among others. For more information, call 1.800.ACS.2345 or 1.800.227.2345 (Ask
specifically about Hope Lodge).
