Cost is a treatment barrier, and it is worth raising early rather than after the first bill. Every hospital has people whose job is this.
Cancer centers employ financial navigators, sometimes called financial counselors or patient advocates. Ask for one by name when you book. They can tell you what your plan covers, what the hospital will bill, what charity care you might qualify for, and which assistance forms to file, which is work you would otherwise do yourself across several phone calls.
Draft a message to billingA searchable database of assistance programs by diagnosis, state, and type of need.
CancerCare: A Helping HandCancerCare · checked 2026-11-09. Programs change their funding and criteria, so confirm with them directly.
What cancer care tends to cost, which bills to expect, and who to ask for help.
Managing Cancer Care CostsNational Cancer Institute · checked 2026-11-09. Programs change their funding and criteria, so confirm with them directly.
Coverage options and the qualifying events that let you change plans outside open enrollment.
HealthCare.govCenters for Medicare & Medicaid Services · checked 2026-11-09. Programs change their funding and criteria, so confirm with them directly.
Hospitals must publish their prices. These are list and negotiated rates, not your final bill.
Hospital Price TransparencyCenters for Medicare & Medicaid Services · checked 2026-11-09. Programs change their funding and criteria, so confirm with them directly.
22 of 22 programs match your filters. Programs that do not match are listed below them, never hidden. Income and household size are used only in this browser and are not saved.
Your state, via HealthCare.gov
In states that expanded Medicaid, adults under 65 can qualify on income alone up to 138% of the poverty guideline. Not every state expanded, and each sets its own rules. You can apply any time of year.
Worth checking, not a decision: the program decides who qualifies. Checked 2026-11-09.
HealthCare.gov
For 2027 coverage, federal premium tax credits are for household incomes from 100% to 400% of the poverty guideline. Open enrollment on HealthCare.gov runs 1 November 2026 to 15 January 2027; state-run marketplaces may differ.
Worth checking, not a decision: the program decides who qualifies. Checked 2026-11-09.
Medicare.gov
Lowers Part D drug costs. 2026 income limits are $23,940 for one person and $32,460 for a married couple, with resource limits (higher in Alaska and Hawaii).
Worth checking, not a decision: the program decides who qualifies. Checked 2026-11-09.
SHIP Technical Assistance Center
Free, one-on-one Medicare counseling from your state's SHIP, including plan choices and Medicare Savings Programs.
Worth checking, not a decision: the program decides who qualifies. Checked 2026-11-09.
Social Security Administration
Compassionate Allowances speed up disability decisions for conditions that clearly meet Social Security's standard, including certain cancers. SSA decides which conditions and cases qualify.
Worth checking, not a decision: the program decides who qualifies. Checked 2026-11-09.
Every nonprofit hospital (IRS rule 501(r))
Nonprofit hospitals must publish a written financial assistance policy and must not charge people who qualify more than they generally bill insured patients. Ask the billing office or search the hospital's site for "financial assistance policy".
Worth checking, not a decision: the program decides who qualifies. Checked 2026-11-09.
CancerCare
Helps insured patients with incomes up to 500% of the poverty guideline with treatment co-pays; lists a metastatic colorectal cancer fund. Funds open and close as money allows.
Worth checking, not a decision: the program decides who qualifies. Checked 2026-11-09.
HealthWell Foundation
Requires insurance; income generally within 500% of the poverty guideline. Funds open and close.
Worth checking, not a decision: the program decides who qualifies. Checked 2026-11-09.
Patient Advocate Foundation (merged with PAN Foundation in 2026)
Financial aid funds for colorectal cancer. Check which fund is open and its income and insurance criteria.
Worth checking, not a decision: the program decides who qualifies. Checked 2026-11-09.
Patient Advocate Foundation
Free case managers who help with insurance problems, denials, and finding financial aid, for people with chronic and life-threatening illnesses.
Worth checking, not a decision: the program decides who qualifies. Checked 2026-11-09.
Colorectal Cancer Alliance
Helps people find national and local financial assistance. (The Alliance's own Blue Hope award ended on 23 February 2026.)
Worth checking, not a decision: the program decides who qualifies. Checked 2026-11-09.
CancerCare
A searchable directory of financial and practical help by diagnosis and need.
Worth checking, not a decision: the program decides who qualifies. Checked 2026-11-09.
Family Reach
Helps people in cancer treatment with essential bills like rent, groceries, transportation and utilities.
Worth checking, not a decision: the program decides who qualifies. Checked 2026-11-09.
American Cancer Society
Free rides to cancer-related medical appointments from trained volunteer drivers, where drivers are available.
Worth checking, not a decision: the program decides who qualifies. Checked 2026-11-09.
American Cancer Society
A free place to stay for people facing cancer and their caregivers when treatment is far from home, in cities with a Hope Lodge.
Worth checking, not a decision: the program decides who qualifies. Checked 2026-11-09.
Air Charity Network
Volunteer pilots flying free trips for people in need traveling for medical care. Requests go through the member organization for your area.
Worth checking, not a decision: the program decides who qualifies. Checked 2026-11-09.
Joe's House
A searchable list of lodging near treatment centers for cancer patients and families.
Worth checking, not a decision: the program decides who qualifies. Checked 2026-11-09.
Healthcare Hospitality Network
The national association of hospitality houses, with a directory to locate a house near a hospital.
Worth checking, not a decision: the program decides who qualifies. Checked 2026-11-09.
NeedyMeds
Information on drug-maker patient assistance programs and other medication cost help.
Worth checking, not a decision: the program decides who qualifies. Checked 2026-11-09.
National Cancer Institute
Which costs a trial sponsor usually pays versus insurance, and how to ask a study team about help with travel and lodging.
Worth checking, not a decision: the program decides who qualifies. Checked 2026-11-09.
Medicare.gov
Medicare Part A and Part B cover some costs, like office visits and tests, in qualifying studies; after the Part B deductible you may pay 20%.
Worth checking, not a decision: the program decides who qualifies. Checked 2026-11-09.
Triage Cancer
Free education on insurance, appeals, employment and finances after a cancer diagnosis.
Worth checking, not a decision: the program decides who qualifies. Checked 2026-11-09.
Published hospital prices are list and negotiated rates, not what you will owe. Only your insurer and the hospital’s billing office can produce a real estimate, and NuDavid does not try to calculate one.