August 2019: Joanna Morales of Triage Cancer joined Susan Thornton of the Cutaneous Lymphoma Foundation to share insights and information on health insurance and finances. Triage Cancer is a national, nonprofit organization that provides education on the practical and legal issues that may impact individuals diagnosed with cancer and their caregivers, through events, materials, and resources.

NORD is a member of "Medicare Access for Patients Rx" (MAPRx), a coalition of patient, family caregiver and health professional organizations committed to safeguarding the well-being of patients with chronic diseases and disabilities who rely on Medicare’s prescription drug coverage, Medicare Part D.

MAPRx produced this helpful Medicare Part D open enrollment guide and we suggest you read it if you're exploring options this month.

Triage Cancer helps survivors, caregivers, health care professionals, and advocates to navigate cancer survivorship though educational events, a national Speakers Bureau, and online tools and resources. 

In 1991, Congress passed the Agent Orange Act, directing the Veteran’s Administration (VA) to presume that specific disease , including non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, could be tied to chemical exposure related to a soldier’s service in Vietnam. Learn more about what to do if your VA benefits have been denied.

The CancerCare Co-Pay Assistance Foundation is a nonprofit organization established in 2007 to address the needs of individuals who cannot afford their insurance co-payments to cover the cost of medications for treating cancer.

The American Academy of Dermatology Association (AADA) have created resources designed to help patients navigate prior authorization, drug pricing, and step therapy issues. The resources include:
- Fact sheet on reducing drug costs
- Key terms and concepts
- Prior authorization contacts for individual insurers
- Overview on drug pricing

BenefitsCheckUp is a free service of the National Council on Aging, a nonprofit service and advocacy organization in Washington, DC. Many adults over 55 need help paying for prescription drugs, health care, utilities, and other basic needs. There are over 2,000 federal, state and private benefits programs available to help. But many people don’t know these programs exist or how they can apply. BenefitsCheckUp asks a series of questions to help identify benefits that could save money and cover the costs of everyday expenses. For more information, call 202.479.1200 or visit their website.

The Cancer Insurance Checklist is designed to help you when shopping for insurance on your state’s Health Insurance Marketplace/Exchange if you have cancer, a history of cancer, or are at risk for cancer. Use the Checklist to compare insurance plans and compare costs in order to choose the plan that's best for you.

The Cancer Insurance Checklist is designed to help you when shopping for insurance on your state’s Health Insurance Marketplace/Exchange if you have cancer, a history of cancer, or are at risk for cancer. Use the Checklist to compare insurance plans and compare costs in order to choose the plan that's best for you.

The primary goal of VAWatchdog is to educate veterans. It's our philosophy that a veteran should understand the reality of what he or she faces when dealing with the Department of Veterans Affairs and other, similar agencies.

Eligible veterans and their dependents may receive cancer treatment at a Veterans Administration Medical Center. For more information, visit their website or call 877.222.8387.

Medicaid is a program supported by both federal and state funds in the U.S. and it is administered on the state level, meaning that eligibility guidelines and benefits available may differ considerably between states. Medicaid is intended to help individuals and families pay their medical expenses and eligibility is primarily based on income although certain factors such as age or disability may be considered. For more information including contact information for your local Medicaid office, visit their website.

Medicare is a program supported by the U.S. federal government that provides health insurance for people over 65 years of age or people under 65 years of age with certain disabilities.

The State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) is a US national program that offers one-on-one counseling and assistance to people with Medicare and their families. Through federal grants directed to states, SHIP provides free counseling and assistance via telephone and face-to-face interactive sessions, public education presentations and programs, and media activities.