What Are My Options If I’m Diagnosed With Cancer and I Don’t Have Health Insurance?

Facing the pain and uncertainty of cancer is grueling. Facing it without health insurance can be downright brutal. The mounting costs lead to financial stress that can hinder a patient's recovery. Some cancer experts call this added burden "financial toxicity."

The American Cancer Society estimates that the U.S. will see about 1.9 million new cancer cases in 2021. The most common types are expected to be breast cancer (281,550 projected for 2021), prostate cancer (248,530), and lung cancer (235,760).

Meanwhile, as of 2020, 8.6% of Americans have no health insurance. Fortunately, uninsured cancer patients have ways to lessen their financial stress. They can get help from government agencies, charitable organizations, and patient assistance programs. 

Can I be denied cancer treatment without insurance? 

You cannot. However, without insurance, you will be charged 100% of the cost of treatment unless you take action. You can negotiate your bill with the hospital. Another option is to apply for charity care. By law, nonprofit hospitals must make charity care (aka indigent care) available to needy patients. Each hospital has its own eligibility rules. 

How much does it cost to treat cancer without insurance?

People who have cancer can quickly amass six-figure medical bills. In 2018, AARP reported average cancer treatment costs of around $150,000.

The price of cancer drugs soared between 1995 and 2014. Most of those drugs released 2009-2014 cost about $100,000 per patient per year. According to the National Cancer Institute, this cost had increased to $400,000 by 2018. 

Many breast cancer medications, for example, have five-figure price tags. One breast cancer drug tracked by GoodRx, Rozlytrek, costs roughly $35,300 per refill.

What are some free or low-cost options?

Some medical facilities specialize in free or low-cost care. 

• Hundreds of government-funded health centers around the country tend to people in need. Patients get basic care regardless of their ability to pay. Fees are charged according to a sliding scale, and insurance status is no barrier. 

• Essential hospitals (sometimes called safety-net hospitals) provide healthcare for the uninsured. Look for hospitals in your state at the America’s Essential Hospitals website.

• Almost 130 Hill-Burton facilities across the U.S. provide free or low-cost health services for people in poverty. 

In addition, many agencies and organizations offer support to cancer patients. The list below is not exhaustive, but it's a good place to start.

Medical resources

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital: This hospital provides innovative care for childhood cancer cases. Eligible children receive free treatments as well as follow-up care during remission. To start the process, search the St. Jude database for available clinical trials. If your child has a type of cancer that's treated or studied here, the next step is a referral from their current doctor.

The Assistance Fund: This organization helps patients access FDA-approved treatments for covered diseases, including many cancers. The fund maintains a list of more than 70 open and waitlisted disease programs. Patients can apply on the website and use the online portal to:

• Check application status

• Upload documents

• Ask for more help

United Children's Healthcare Foundation: Parents can get grants for their child's cancer treatment through this foundation. The child must be age 16 or younger and have a Social Security number. Income limits apply. Grants are for medical services and treatments from a licensed healthcare provider.

Leukemia and Lymphoma Society: The society's Co-Pay Assistance Program helps people covered by private and government insurance. It awards grants for premiums, copayments, coinsurance, and medication. The amount varies by the type of disease. An intake specialist can walk you through the process over the phone.

Lifeline Fund – Bone Marrow & Cancer Foundation: You can apply for this program online. Your social worker or nurse care coordinator must certify the application. Funds cover various costs of necessary transplants, such as:

• Donor search and screening

• Drugs and medical devices

• Child care and home-care services

• Housing and transportation

Komen Treatment Assistance Program: People with breast cancer can apply for  financial aid through the Susan G. Komen Foundation. The $300 and $500 awards help cover the cost of treatment and related expenses. You must meet the program's requirements for financial eligibility.

Financial support

Cancer Care Co-Payment Assistance Program: As the name says, this program contributes toward insured cancer patients' copays. Patients without insurance can benefit, too, though. They can contact Cancer Care's oncology social workers for help in getting coverage. People can enroll online or call 866-55-COPAY (866-552-6729).

Cancer Care Financial Assistance Program: This organization offers grants for home care, child care, transportation, and other costs. You can call the Cancer Care social workers at 800-813-4673 to find out more about their programs.

Family Reach: This organization offers several services within its "financial treatment program."  When you apply for help at its website, the program will connect you with a resource navigator. At present, emergency relief money for household expenses and treatment-related travel is unavailable.

Leukemia and Lymphoma Society: LLS offers several types of grants for general financial support:

• $2,500 for CAR-T cell clinical trials and therapy

• $500 for lodging and travel expenses

• $500 for nonmedical expenses

• $100 for nonmedical expenses for blood cancer patients

Multiple Myeloma Medicare Access: Qualifying patients can get up to $11,000 in funding. The money may go toward out-of-pocket costs, including copays and Medicare premiums. Your income must fall below 500% of the federal poverty level for your ZIP code and household size.

Colorectal Cancer Alliance: Financial assistance programs through CCA include the Blue Hope Treatment Awards. This program provides $200 for food, child care, and other daily expenses. Only people currently in treatment are eligible.

Medication grants

HealthWell Foundation: Disease funds for leukemia, lymphoma, and renal cell carcinoma are currently open. Patients can apply online. They can also request notification if a fund becomes available for their disease.

PAN Foundation: This group helps with out-of-pocket prescription drug costs. Patients receive a 12-month grant they can use at their pharmacies. Open disease-assistance funds include liver cancer, melanoma, and biliary tract cancer. The foundation updates available funds often. If your disease fund is currently closed, you can get on the waitlist through the eligibility finder.

Transportation for care

Traveling for necessary treatment can be expensive. Several charitable organizations offer long-distance transport to treatment centers. Some that provide free air transportation for cancer patients are:

• Air Charity Network

• Corporate Angel Network

• LifeLine Pilots

What benefits are cancer patients entitled to?

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) keeps a list of healthcare and medical financial assistance programs. Many state agencies help people with healthcare and medical expenses.

You may qualify for government-funded healthcare, especially Medicaid. To find out, contact your state's Medicaid office. Eligible people can enroll immediately. Depending on your financial situation, you may be able to apply your benefits to earlier expenses.

ACA insurance plans cannot reject people with pre-existing conditions such as cancer. So, during the annual open enrollment period, you can find a health insurance plan. Many offer premium subsidies. Use the cancer insurance checklist to ensure your selected plan meets your needs.

What treatments can I receive?

Many drug manufacturers have patient assistance programs that provide medicine at low or no cost. Here are some cancer medications available through such programs:

• GSK: Blenrep, Jemperli, Zejula

• Lilly Cares Foundation: Alimta, Cyramza, Erbitux, Portrazza, Retevmo, Verzenio

• Pfizer Rx Pathways: Aromasin, Besponsa, Bosulif, Camptosar, Daurismo, Ellence, Emcyt, Ibrance, Inlyta, Lorbrena, Menest, Sutent, Talzenna, Torisel, Vizimpro, Xalkori, Zirabev 

• Gilead: Zydelig

Why trust our experts?

Written by:

Andrea Miller

Andrea Miller is a writer and editor who has specialized in healthcare and insurance content for more than a decade. Among her clients are Independence Blue Cross, Sutter Health System, Health IQ, the National Headache Institute, and Delta Dental.

Our editorial standards

Meet our experts