Cancer Treatment Is Work Enough
Protecting Access to Healthcare During Cancer Treatment
Less Cancer has been actively working to protect patients undergoing cancer treatment from Medicaid work and reporting requirements that could interrupt their healthcare coverage.
Our efforts include supporting federal legislative resolutions calling for protections for patients in active cancer treatment, including surgery and other invasive treatments. We have also reached out individually to governors and state Medicaid offices across all 50 states, encouraging policies that protect patients from unnecessary reporting burdens and interruptions in care.
For more than two decades, Less Cancer has worked to advance cancer prevention, public health education, and access to care. Ensuring that patients can maintain healthcare coverage during treatment is an important part of that commitment.
Cancer treatment is work enough. No patient should risk losing essential healthcare coverage because of unnecessary administrative requirements while undergoing treatment.
When Healthcare Coverage Is at Risk
Patients and families facing the possible loss of Medicaid, Medicare, or other health insurance may encounter challenges involving eligibility requirements, reporting obligations, insurance denials, appeals, or other administrative procedures.
These circumstances can be particularly difficult during active cancer treatment, when continuity of care is essential.
Less Cancer does not provide individual insurance counseling, legal representation, case management, or assistance with insurance applications or appeals.
However, we recognize that individuals may benefit from knowing where to begin looking for information and possible assistance.
The organizations, agencies, and websites listed below are presented solely as potential sources of publicly available information. They are not recommendations or endorsements by Less Cancer.
Less Cancer has not comprehensively investigated or independently verified the organizations, their services, qualifications, practices, or outcomes. Individuals are encouraged to conduct their own research before relying on any organization or service.
Other resources not listed here may also be available.
Make Your Voice Heard
Patients, families, caregivers, and concerned members of the public may wish to contact their elected representatives at the federal, state, and local levels to express concerns about healthcare coverage interruptions during cancer treatment.
Members of Congress, governors, and state legislators can help bring attention to challenges involving Medicaid eligibility, reporting requirements, and access to care.
Constituent services offices may also be able to provide information about government programs or administrative processes, although assistance and outcomes cannot be guaranteed.
Individuals may wish to share their experiences and encourage policies that protect patients undergoing active cancer treatment, including surgery and other invasive procedures, from unnecessary administrative burdens.
Find Your Elected Representatives
U.S. House of Representatives
Find your member of Congress and information about contacting their office.
https://www.house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative
United States Senate
Find your U.S. senators and their contact information.
https://www.senate.gov/senators/senators-contact.htm
State Legislators
Find information about state legislative representation.
https://openstates.org/find_your_legislator/
State Governors and Government Offices
Find state government websites and information about governors and other state offices.
https://www.usa.gov/state-governments
Cancer treatment is work enough. No patient should lose healthcare coverage in the middle of treatment because of paperwork.
Potential Independent Resources
The following organizations publicly describe services related to cancer, health insurance, financial concerns, or healthcare navigation.
These listings are presented for general informational purposes only, without ranking, preference, recommendation, or endorsement.
Descriptions are based on general publicly available information and should not be interpreted as confirmation that particular services are currently available or appropriate for an individual's circumstances.
Patient Advocate Foundation
Patient Advocate Foundation describes programs addressing healthcare access, insurance-related challenges, financial concerns, and case management for certain individuals facing serious medical conditions.
Services, availability, and eligibility requirements may vary.
Phone: 800-532-5274
https://www.patientadvocate.org/connect-with-services/case-management-services-and-carelines/
Triage Cancer
Triage Cancer publishes information about health insurance, employment rights, disability insurance, financial considerations, and legal issues that may arise following a cancer diagnosis.
The organization also describes a legal and financial navigation program. Availability and eligibility may vary.
https://triagecancer.org/legal-and-financial-navigation-program
CancerCare
CancerCare describes resources involving oncology social work, financial information, emotional support, practical concerns, and resource navigation for people affected by cancer.
Programs and services may vary according to individual circumstances and availability.
Phone: 800-813-4673
https://www.cancercare.org/resourcenavigation
American Cancer Society
The American Cancer Society makes cancer-related information and descriptions of patient support programs publicly available, including information concerning transportation, lodging, and other practical needs.
Phone: 800-227-2345
Government Healthcare Coverage Information
Government agencies and publicly supported programs may provide information about insurance eligibility, enrollment, appeals, and available healthcare coverage options.
The following websites may be useful starting points for individuals seeking information about their own circumstances.
Medicaid.gov provides information about Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), including links to individual state Medicaid agencies.
Because Medicaid eligibility, administration, reporting procedures, and appeals are handled at the state level, applicable requirements may differ.
https://www.medicaid.gov/about-us/where-can-people-get-help-medicaid-chip
HealthCare.gov provides information about health insurance Marketplace coverage, enrollment procedures, and potential special enrollment opportunities following the loss of qualifying health coverage.
Phone: 800-318-2596
https://www.healthcare.gov/find-assistance/
State Health Insurance Assistance Programs (SHIP)
State Health Insurance Assistance Programs provide information about Medicare counseling services for individuals seeking guidance about Medicare coverage, enrollment, and related questions.
If You Receive a Notice About Losing Coverage
If you are undergoing cancer treatment and receive a notice concerning termination, denial, or possible interruption of health insurance, it is important to review the notice promptly.
Such notices may contain deadlines, appeal information, or instructions concerning eligibility verification.
Patients may wish to discuss coverage concerns with their treating healthcare team, hospital social worker, insurance provider, state Medicaid agency, or another appropriately qualified professional.
Available options, deadlines, and legal rights depend on individual circumstances and applicable federal and state requirements.
Do not ignore notices or deadlines concerning your healthcare coverage.
Important Information and Disclaimer
The organizations, agencies, websites, and programs identified on this page are listed solely for general public information and convenience.
Less Cancer, a program of Next Generation Choices Foundation, has not conducted a comprehensive independent investigation, assessment, or verification of the organizations or services identified.
Inclusion on this page does not constitute an endorsement, recommendation, formal referral, certification, approval, sponsorship, partnership, or representation regarding the quality, reliability, qualifications, effectiveness, safety, or suitability of any organization or service.
Less Cancer does not administer or supervise these outside programs and is not responsible for the activities, advice, services, policies, eligibility determinations, or outcomes associated with independent organizations or third-party websites.
Information, services, eligibility requirements, funding, contact details, and program availability may change without notice.
Less Cancer does not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or continued availability of information provided by third parties.
Visitors are encouraged to conduct their own independent research and determine whether any organization, program, or service is appropriate for their individual circumstances.
This page is not intended to provide medical, legal, financial, insurance, or benefits advice. It does not establish a professional relationship between Less Cancer and any individual seeking assistance.
Additional resources not identified here may be available through healthcare institutions, state and local governments, professional organizations, and community-based programs.
Our Continuing Commitment
Less Cancer will continue working with policymakers, healthcare professionals, and communities to support protections that help patients maintain access to care during cancer treatment.
Our work on Medicaid reporting requirements reflects a simple principle:
Cancer treatment is work enough.
No patient should face preventable interruptions in healthcare because of unnecessary administrative barriers.
Less Cancer for all. Today, tomorrow, and for generations to come.
Less Cancer | Next Generation Choices Foundation