Communities›Just Diagnosed With Breast Cancer›How do I afford cancer care with high insurance costs?

How do I afford cancer care with high insurance costs?

Community Member

a day ago

I was recently diagnosed in May 2026 with IDC, HR+ / ER+ / HER2- . I live in NY State. I am currently covered under my husband's employer insurance, but the premium is extremely high, and with my mental health and substance use disorder copays, I am paying around $1,400/month out of pocket. I have not been able to work for the last few years due to mental health, addiction recovery, perimenopause, and now breast cancer. I am a nurse of 24+ years - I am used to being the helper, not asking for help, and this has been really hard. I did submit a financial aid application through the hospital/cancer center, but I received notices that I need my 2025 tax information and I am unable to log into my TurboTax and IRS accounts to get it. I'm getting very discouraged trying to manage it on my own.

1 comment

Comment

Community Member

a day ago

Navigating cancer care costs while dealing with insurance challenges can feel overwhelming, especially when you're already managing so much. Many cancer centers have patient advocates or financial counselors who can help with accessing tax documents and completing financial aid applications - it might be worth asking if someone there can assist you through this process. There are also organizations that provide financial assistance specifically for cancer patients, and some offer help with insurance premium costs too, so you're not alone in finding resources to make treatment more affordable.

New to the community?

Create an account to connect with others navigating cancer.

How do I afford cancer care with high insurance costs?

Related Questions