Mesothelioma treatment costs vary based on treatment type, providers and insurance. The cost of mesothelioma treatment could average between $11,000 and $12,000 per month. Chemotherapy can cost around $40,000 per patient. Pleural mesothelioma surgery can cost $26,000 in monthly surgery costs.
The cost of mesothelioma treatment depends on the patient’s plan, providers and insurance. Some treatments may cost less than others.
An April 2021 study reported on the safety and effectiveness of continuous infusion low-dose Gemcitabine plus cisplatin (CIGC). This chemo combination may be cheaper for patients with unresectable malignant pleural mesothelioma.
The amounts below are for lung cancer treatment, equal to mesothelioma treatment.
Chemotherapy: A 2013 study found that Alimta (pemetrexed) plus cisplatin cost $40,102 for first-line mesothelioma treatment. The cost varies depending on the exact drugs used, how many rounds are given and other factors specific to each patient.
Surgery: Pleural mesothelioma surgery is similar to lung cancer surgery. A stage 1 lung cancer patient could pay more than $26,000 in monthly surgery costs. But surgery costs depend on the treatment center and techniques used.
Radiation Therapy: A 2015 study of Medicare cancer patients found a course of radiation for lung cancer costs a median of $9,000.
Immunotherapy: In 2017, Reuters report showed checkpoint inhibitors cost about $150,000 annually. Yervoy and Opdivo can cost $256,000 per year.
For most patients, health insurance covers most cancer treatment costs. But they still face high out-of-pocket bills. A 2021 study found three main causes of financial hardship: Cost of cancer treatment, more options and longer treatments.
The study noted that changes in health insurance have raised patients’ out-of-pocket costs for care. According to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), more than 40 million Americans have medical debt hurting their credit score.
The study noted that the changing landscape of health insurance has led to patients paying more out-of-pocket costs for medical care. According to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), more than 40 million Americans have medical debt hurting their credit score.
What Are the Hidden Costs of Mesothelioma Treatment?
Medical bills are only part of the cost of having mesothelioma. Lost income, caregiving costs and travel and lodging expenses for out-of-town treatments also play a role.
Insurance companies have shifted costs to patients. They’ve done this by raising copays, coinsurance and deductibles. Cancer patients on Medicare also face high out-of-pocket costs.
Inherited medical expenses can also be a hidden cost. Some states have laws that can hold spouses or adult children responsible for a family member’s unpaid medical bills. These are laws on community property and filial responsibility. A loan or credit card co-signer can be liable for medical debt.
Medical debt can cause financial toxicity that can impact the quality of life and access to essential care. Good financial planning and aid can protect mesothelioma patients and their families.
To help pay for mesothelioma treatment and related costs, patients should explore funding options. They can check government programs, charities, clinical trials and legal claims.
The Affordable Care Act limits the costs of diseases like cancer. Insurance companies cannot limit coverage or deny it to cancer patients. If your health insurance claim is denied, one of our Patient Advocates can work with patients to help them get approved.
How did Asbestos.com help you understand the financial and legal options available to you?
She sent me a little mug. More than that. She recommended, firm for, without saying, okay, compensation, but, like, they might be able to help you so that you might be able to be in a position to be able to afford what may lie ahead in terms of expenses. It was presented in a way that I thought, okay, I I I could I can kinda deal with this. It it wasn’t like Well, now you need to do this. It was never sort of, telling me what to do. It kinda you know, it was kind of like an option. And so I remember thinking that And this is after Janette said, Kim, you really need to think this through. My husband said that the same thing. You really need to think this through. It looks like you were not going to, have any assistance from your medical insurance perhaps we can get some help that there’s money out there. And so when I was told about one firm, I said something to the effect. Well, I don’t wanna do I don’t wanna interview a lot of firms. I don’t wanna do, like, this, like, shopping around as such, but I’d like maybe another, like, maybe a couple of options And so I remember her saying to me, well, there’s a small boutique firm, and I didn’t even that meant? I’m like, boutique. What does that mean? She was small, you know. And, they’re pretty good. Said, okay. And she gave me a number. So that’s how I ended up with, two options
Mesothelioma Survivor Shares the Importance of Receiving Financial Assistance
I was concerned about whether my medical insurance was gonna cover what I was having done with my chemotherapy and my visits and my travel. I mean, it can be overwhelming, just the thought of it, and it’s not an inexpensive thing. No matter what, you still have your expenses that are you have to pay for, your travel expenses. You know? I mean, that’s we travel almost a hundred miles for treatment. You know? I was happy to learn that they had financial assistance that you could get from companies that had asbestos and sold it or their products. I went online, and I found this, you know, organization, asbestos dot com. I had talked to Karen, and she was very encouraging, and, she helped me a lot. Well, I had a list of different attorneys. When I called Daniel’s office, Daniel came down, and I really felt very comfortable with him. I talked to Karen, and that’s how I decided who we were gonna have. They’ve made it a lot easier than it could have been. You don’t know if it’s the end of your time. You might as well be able to enjoy things in life rather than be preoccupied with how you’re gonna pay for something. I wish I knew when I was diagnosed that this is what would be, how supportive people can be. And I think it’s knowing that, you know, asbestos dot com is there for you.
Patient Advocate, Danielle DiPietro, discusses what financial resources are available to patients.
There's numerous financial resources available to patients and families. There's grants and grants include living expenses, travel expense is. There's a couple organizations that help a patient get a free flight for themselves and one passenger. There's also lodging, there's front houses connected with hospitals so patients can stay for free while their loved ones having surgery.
We also have a veterans department And we can help patients that were exposed during their time in the service get VA disability benefits as well as their spouse. And lastly, there's the asbestos trust funds. We can provide guidance on how a patient can file a legal claim for the trust funds receive financial compensation to help with their medical expenses.
Why Should A Mesothelioma Patient and Their Family Seek Legal Help?
[MUSIC PLAYING] You’re seeking legal help, that’s an individual choice for a patient in their families. But I think one thing that– one reason you probably should seek legal help is, it doesn’t matter what kind of health insurance you have. You can have the best health insurance plan there is, and the fact of the matter is not everything is going to be covered when it comes to mesothelioma therapy. It’s a very complex therapy. And so you may need some help paying for it. And that’s one reason to seek legal help. The second reason, and this is my personal opinion, is that if you’ve got mesothelioma, it’s almost a certainty that you got it from being exposed to asbestos. And the fact of the matter is that these companies that put you at risk for asbestos exposure, they knew it was toxic. They knew that there was going to be problems down the road. And I think they should be held accountable. But that’s going to be a personal choice. If you think they should be held accountable for what they did to you, then that’s a good reason to seek legal help. [MUSIC PLAYING]
Government Assistance
If you are under retirement age but cannot work, you may get monthly income from Social Security Disability Insurance. If you are over retirement age and have a low income, apply for Supplemental Security Income.
U.S. veterans may be eligible for low-cost cancer treatment through the VA. If your mesothelioma is from military asbestos exposure, you can file for VA benefits. They include disability pay and free healthcare.
Quick Fact:
Total annual cost of copays, coinsurance, deductibles and insurance premiums for average lung cancer patient: $5,000 to $10,000
Source:
American Cancer Society, 2016
Charities
Many hospitals, companies and nonprofits offer financial help. It lowers treatment costs or provides free travel and lodging for patients who must go to a distant hospital. A hospital social worker or a mesothelioma advocate can help you find these resources.
Clinical Trials
Patients can get free treatment by joining clinical trials of experimental therapies. Not every mesothelioma patient qualifies for clinical trials, but it is always worth researching which trials are recruiting.
Legal Compensation
Mesothelioma is almost entirely preventable. Most cases trace back to asbestos exposure because of a company’s negligence, making it unfair for patients to bear the cost of cancer treatment.
An experienced mesothelioma lawyer can help you assess your options for legal compensation. Money secured from a mesothelioma lawsuit settlement can be used to help pay for treatment. If you file a legal claim, keep track of all your insurance claims and out-of-pocket expenses. These records can help you build your case later.
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Asbestos.com is the nation’s most trusted mesothelioma resource
The Mesothelioma Center at Asbestos.com has provided patients and their loved ones the most updated and reliable information on mesothelioma and asbestos exposure since 2006.
Our team of Patient Advocates includes a medical doctor, a registered nurse, health services administrators, veterans, VA-accredited Claims Agents, an oncology patient navigator and hospice care expert. Their combined expertise means we help any mesothelioma patient or loved one through every step of their cancer journey.
More than 30 contributors, including mesothelioma doctors, survivors, health care professionals and other experts, have peer-reviewed our website and written unique research-driven articles to ensure you get the highest-quality medical and health information.
About The Mesothelioma Center at Asbestos.com
Assisting mesothelioma patients and their loved ones since 2006.
Helps more than 50% of mesothelioma patients diagnosed annually in the U.S.
A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau.
5-star reviewed mesothelioma and support organization.
My family has only the highest compliment for the assistance and support that we received from The Mesothelioma Center. This is a staff of compassionate and knowledgeable individuals who respect what your family is experiencing and who go the extra mile to make an unfortunate diagnosis less stressful. Information and assistance were provided by The Mesothelioma Center at no cost to our family.
Registered Nurse and Board Certified Patient Advocate
Karen Selby is a registered nurse and Board Certified Patient Advocate at The Mesothelioma Center with more than 30 years of experience in oncology and thoracic surgery. She worked as an operating room nurse in thoracic surgery at the University of Maryland for 6 years, assisting with surgeries such as lung transplants, pneumonectomies and pleurectomies. She later served as regional director of the tissue procurement program at the University of Florida. Karen joined The Mesothelioma Center in 2009, providing patients with personalized support and resources.
Fact-checked and verified content:
Our fact-checking process begins with a thorough review of all sources to ensure they are high quality. Then we cross-check the facts with original medical or scientific reports published by those sources, or we validate the facts with reputable news organizations, medical and scientific experts and other health experts. Each page includes all sources for full transparency.
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