Did you like this article?

Affording Multiple Myeloma Care

Financial concerns are common among people living with cancer. There are many resources that can help you understand insurance, plan for cancer costs, and get help paying your medical bills. Talk to your insurance company, healthcare team, or the financial specialist at your doctor’s office about your insurance coverage and eligibility.

Before starting treatment

It’s important to know what type of insurance you have. On your first visit, your doctor’s office will ask you if you have insurance. If you do, you’ll need to provide the office with your insurance card and prescription drug card, if you have one.

Do you have insurance?

If you don’t have private commercial health insurance through your employer or a policy that you purchased on your own, you may qualify for one of the programs below. Be sure to talk with your healthcare team or financial specialist at your doctor’s office about your eligibility.

Medicare

Medicare is the federal government program that provides healthcare coverage for people who are 65 or older and certain younger people with disabilities.

Medicaid

Medicaid provides health coverage to millions of Americans, including eligible low-income adults, elderly adults, and people with disabilities.

Veterans

Veterans may be eligible to receive healthcare through the US Department of Veterans Affairs.

Prescription assistance programs

Ask the person in your doctor’s office who handles insurance and financial matters about available prescription assistance programs.

These programs are usually offered by pharmaceutical companies to provide free or low-cost prescription drugs to qualifying individuals.

Finding Help

The following resources may help you get a good start on handling the financial side of multiple myeloma:

Cancer Care’s A Helping Hand—Resource Guide for People With Cancer >

Cancer Care’s Sources of Financial Assistance >

Cancer Financial Assistance Coalition >

National Financial Resource Directory >

Cancer.net’s Navigating Cancer Financial Considerations >

For help managing insurance and financial matters, get in touch with:

Patient Advocate Foundation >

Information about these independent organizations is provided as an additional resource for obtaining information related to multiple myeloma. It does not indicate endorsement by Bristol-Myers Squibb Company of an organization or its communications.

Your healthcare team is your best source of information.

Related information

How Multiple Myeloma Might Make You Feel

Understand common symptoms and how multiple myeloma might affect the body.

Prepare for Healthcare Visits

A downloadable guide with important topics to discuss with your doctor.

Eating Right Matters

Learn some tips for eating a balanced diet.

This website is best viewed
using the horizontal display
on your tablet device.

This website is best viewed
using the vertical display
on your mobile device.