Patients & Caregivers

Financial assistance resources

Many organizations help patients pay for cancer treatment, medication, and other expenses. Seattle Cancer Care Alliance (SCCA) offers financial assistance to Washington state residents based on family need and SCCA resources. Low-income patients may qualify for Medicaid, a public insurance program. An SCCA financial counselor can help you apply for financial assistance.

Applying for financial assistance through MyChart

For Seattle Cancer Care Alliance and Community Clinics you can now apply online for Financial Assistance through MyChart. This allow you to track the status of your application. 

Directions to apply online:

  1. Click on MyChart login and go to the Billing Summary, then click on Financial Assistance to open the application
  2. Complete the required MyChart Supplemental Form and upload in your MyChart Financial Assistance application

SCCA financial assistance

SCCA grants financial assistance for medically necessary services to residents of Washington state who are at or near the federal poverty level. Assistance is based on family need and SCCA’s resources. The following documents have more information about SCCA's Financial Assistance Policy as well as directions on how to apply, in English, Russian, Spanish and Vietnamese. Click to download these documents, which are formatted as PDFs.

2022 Federal Poverty Level Guidelines (PDF)

SCCA Family Assistance Fund

The SCCA Family Assistance Fund was created to help SCCA patients who qualify with some of those additional personal expenses that arise because they are in treatment.  This fund cannot assist with medical bills, co-pays, or medications.  Please see eligibility requirements on the application. Completed Applications can be accepted only after a patient has begun treatment at the SCCA.  Patient Navigators and Social Workers may be available to help you with questions and potentially locating supplemental community resources that might be available to you, as the Family Assistance Fund is a limited fund made up of donations from individuals and community groups.

Please see eligibility requirements on the application.

Help with treatment expenses

These organizations may help you with expenses relating to cancer treatment.

CancerCare

CancerCare is a national nonprofit agency that offers free support, information, financial assistance, and practical help to people with cancer and their loved ones. Financial assistance is given in the form of limited grants for certain treatment expenses.

  • Breast cancer: CancerCare has partnered with the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation to create the Linking A.R.M.S. program, which provides limited financial assistance for hormonal and oral chemotherapy, pain and anti-nausea medication, lymphedema supplies, and durable medical equipment for women with breast cancer.
  • Cervical or breast cancer: CancerCare also operates the AVONCares Program for Medically Underserved Women, in partnership with the Avon Foundation. This program provides financial assistance to low-income, underinsured, uninsured, and underserved women throughout the country who need supportive services (such as transportation, childcare, and home care) related to the treatment of breast and cervical cancers. For information, call (800) 813-HOPE (4673)

Learn More at CancerCare

Chemotherapy Treatment that uses drugs to stop the growth of cancer cells, either by killing the cells or by stopping them from dividing. It may be given alone or with other treatments. Treatment that uses drugs to stop the growth of cancer cells, either by killing the cells or by stopping them from dividing. Chemotherapy may be given by mouth, injection, infusion or on the skin, depending on the type and stage of the cancer being treated. It may be given alone or with other treatments, such as surgery, radiation therapy or biologic therapy. Lymphedema A condition in which extra lymph fluid builds up in tissues and causes swelling. It may occur in an arm or leg if lymph vessels are blocked, damaged or removed by surgery.
The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS)

The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS) offers information and financial aid to patients in significant financial need who have leukemia, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, Hodgkin’s lymphoma, or multiple myeloma. The LLS Patient Financial Aid web page provides more information about the types of service available, application forms, and eligibility requirements. For information, call (800) 955-4572.

Learn More at LLS

Lymphoma Cancer that begins in the cells of the immune system. There are two basic categories of lymphomas: Hodgkin lymphoma and non-Hodgkin lymphomas. Cancer that begins in cells of the immune system. There are two basic categories of lymphomas. One is Hodgkin lymphoma, which is marked by the presence of a type of cell called the Reed-Sternberg cell. The other category is non-Hodgkin lymphomas, which includes a large, diverse group of cancers of immune system cells. Non-Hodgkin lymphomas can be further divided into cancers that have an indolent (slow-growing) course and those that have an aggressive (fast-growing) course. These subtypes behave and respond to treatment differently. Both Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphomas can occur in children and adults, and prognosis and treatment depend on the stage and the type of cancer.
Northwest Sarcoma Foundation

Northwest Sarcoma Foundation provides grants up to $500 for people in active treatment for sarcoma. Money can be used for living expenses, transportation, prescriptions, lodging needed to seek care, childcare, medical supplies, and treatments.

Learn More at Northwest Sarcoma Foundation

Help with medication expenses

NeedyMeds

NeedyMeds is an information source similar to the Yellow Pages. It does not supply medications or financial assistance but helps people find assistance programs and other available resources. The nonprofit organization provides the information at no cost.

Learn More at NeedyMeds

Patient Advocate Foundation Co-Pay Relief Program 

The Patient Advocate Foundation Co-Pay Relief Program provides limited payment assistance for medicine to insured patients who qualify financially and medically. Get more information about the program online, or call (866) 512-3861.

Learn More at Patient Advocate Foundation Co-Pay Relief Program

Pharmaceutical manufacturers

Some pharmaceutical manufacturers offer patient-assistance programs to help pay for medications. To learn whether a specific drug might be available at reduced cost through such a program, talk with your physician or social worker or visit the drug manufacturer’s website. Most pharmaceutical companies have a section called “patient-assistance programs” on their website.

Medicine Assistance Tool

Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) created the Medicine Assistance Tool (MAT) to provide a dedicated search engine that allows users to search for financial assistance resources available to them, their loved ones or patients in their lives through the various biopharmaceutical industry programs available for patients who are eligible.

Learn More at Medicine Assistance Tool

Help with housing, wigs and other issues

American Cancer Society

The American Cancer Society provides free wigs, head coverings, financial referrals, and resources to patients in need. Call (800) ACS-2345 (227-2345) or your local chapter.

Learn More at American Cancer Society

Patient Advocate Foundation

The Patient Advocate Foundation provides education, legal counseling, and referrals for cancer patients and survivors concerning managed care, insurance, financial issues, job discrimination, and debt-crisis matters. Call (800) 532-5274.

Learn More at Patient Advocate Foundation

American Childhood Cancer Organization (ACCO)

American Childhood Cancer Organization (ACCO) is a nonprofit organization that provides information about many aspects of cancer, including a list of organizations that offer financial assistance to eligible families. Call (800) 366-CCCF (2223).

Learn More at ACCO

Ronald McDonald House

Ronald McDonald House, supported by Ronald McDonald House Charities, provides a “home away from home” for families of seriously ill children receiving treatment at nearby hospitals. Ronald McDonald Houses are temporary residences near the medical facility, where family members can sleep, eat, relax, and find support from other families in similar situations. In return, families are asked to make a donation ranging on average from $5 to $20 per day, but if that isn’t possible, your stay is free. Call (630) 623-7048.

Learn More at Ronald McDonald House

Internal Revenue Service (IRS)

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) can provide information about tax deductions for medical costs that are not covered by insurance policies. Examples include mileage for trips to and from medical appointments, out-of-pocket costs for treatment, prescription drugs, or equipment, and the cost of meals during lengthy medical visits. Your local IRS office, tax consultants, or certified public accountants can determine whether medical costs are tax deductible. Call (800) 829-1040.

Learn More at IRS

Community voluntary agencies and service organizations

Community voluntary agencies and service organizations, such as United Way of America, Salvation Army, Lutheran Social Services, Jewish Social Services, and Catholic Charities may offer help. These organizations are listed in your local telephone directory or you may search for them online. Some churches and synagogues may provide financial help or services to their members.

State and local social services agencies

State and local social services agencies can provide help with food, housing, prescription drugs, transportation, and other medical expenses for those who are not eligible for other programs. For information, contact your state or local agency, listed in your local telephone directory, or you may search online. 

Resources for international patients

International Cancer Information Service Group (ICISG)

The International Cancer Information Service Group (ICISG) is an independent international organization whose mission is to provide high quality cancer information services and resources. Cancer information services are available in many countries and they may be able to help locate financial assistance close to where you live. A list of these cancer information services is available on the website or may be requested by writing to the National Cancer Institute Public Inquiries Office, Cancer Information Service, Room 3036A, 6116 Executive Boulevard, MSC 8322, Bethesda, MD 20892-8322, USA.

Learn More at ICISG

International Union Against Cancer (UICC)

The International Union Against Cancer (UICC) consists of international cancer-related organizations that may have helpful information about financial assistance. To find a resource in or near your country, you can search the UICC’s membership directory, call + 41 22 809 18 11, or contact the UICC at:

International Union Against Cancer (UICC)
62 Route de Frontenex
1207 Geneva
Switzerland

Learn More at UICC

National Cancer Institute (NCI)

The National Cancer Institute (NCI), the principal cancer research organization in the United States, has limited information about financial resources for people living outside this country. Call (800) 4-CANCER (422-6237).

Learn More at NCI

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