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Information about all aspects of finances affected by a serious health condition. Includes income sources such as work, investments, and private and government disability programs, and expenses such as medical bills, and how to deal with financial problems.
Information about all aspects of health care from choosing a doctor and treatment, staying safe in a hospital, to end of life care. Includes how to obtain, choose and maximize health insurance policies.
Answers to your practical questions such as how to travel safely despite your health condition, how to avoid getting infected by a pet, and what to say or not say to an insurance company.

Colorectal Cancer: In Treatment: Finances - all shunted to 1752

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IF YOU READ ABOUT THIS SUBJECT WHEN NEWLY DIAGNOSED, THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION IS WORTH REVIEWING. FINANCES PAY FOR MEDICAL TREATMENT AND YOUR LIFESTYLE.

 

Treatment can create financial havoc because of increased costs even if you have health insurance as well as the possibility of lost income.

 

  • Learn how to save money on health care, click here.
  • Learn how to negotiate for a lower medical bill, click here
  • If you have health insurance:
    • To learn how to maximize use of your particular type of health insurance and save money, click here
    • To learn how to maximize use of tax advantaged health savings account, click here.
  • If you have a financial crunch, click here.  In addition to subjects you may expect to find, we include such subjects as how to raise money, including how to ask family and friends for money

  • If you are having difficulty with creditors, click here. Learn how to negotiate with creditors. Click here. Consider speaking with a credit counselor. Click here to learn how to pick one that will work on your side.

  • If you are working, it may be worthwhile to look at our document How To Increase Your Income for simple tips that have helped other people.

  • If you have investments, reexamine your investment strategy to take your diagnosis and potential medical needs into account. Start with the question whether you should make investment decisions on your own or use an advisor. To learn more, click here.
  • If you have a shortened life expectancy, you may be able to sell your life insurance and get money now. To learn more, see: Viatical Settlements and Life Settlements.
  • There may be other new uses of assets you have not thought about, or don’t know the best way to go about maximizing the money you receive. See: New Uses of Assets.
  • Do not think that because you have a serious health condition that you can stop paying taxes. It’s a mistake. (It may cheer you to know that your diagnosis may be helpful if you are audited). On the other hand, your condition may help if you are audited. To learn more, click here
  • Keep receipts for all medical bills – including cost of transportation to and from medical appointments. Medical expenses may be deductible for income tax purposes. To learn what is and is not a deductible medical expense and additional information relating to taxes relevant to your health situation, click here
  • It is even more important for a person with a serious health diagnosis than an undiagnosed person to avoid losses that could wipe out assets. This means at least having basic automobile and renters or homeowners insurance. Our documents about Property and Casualty Insurance provide unbiased information about the specifics of what you do and don’t need.
  • If you have any excess money, use it to create an Emergency+Fund in case you need extra money for a drug or treatment not covered by insurance. The fund will also come in handy for a rainy day. Additional money should go into retirement accounts to reduce current income taxes. You can get to the money if needed.
  • A budget helps prioritize your spending
  • A simple organized system for paying your bills, particularly medical bills, saves money and time. Help is available if you need it through friends or professionals known as Daily Money Managers.
  • Be sure your important documents are stored appropriately.  A loss of documents could mean a heavy financial loss.

 

The way to get your finances in the best possible shape is through financial planning specifically for a person with a life changing diagnosis. This type of planning does not change according to the specific condition or stage.

  • If you haven’t done financial planning before, the idea of doing financial planning may seem daunting – especially when you are not feeling well and are being emotionally whip sawed because of treatment. Financial planning can be rather simple and not take a lot of time at all. Elsewhere on this site we show you how.
  • Once you have a picture of what your financial situation is, and what it could be, there are steps you can start taking to improve the situation.
  • If you are not up to the task of doing financial planning now, at least look at the subjects mentioned in the remainder of this document to see which can help you now. Also consider using the time to start pulling together the facts and documents that will be needed. You can do the planning when you’re feeling better.
  • An alternative is to ask a close family member or friend do look at your finances for you and let you know what, if anything, should be done now.
  • Also consider speaking with a financial planner with experience helping people with a life changing diagnosis.

To get started with financial planning, click here and/or see the documents in “To Learn More.”

 

NOTE:  

  • If you do not have health insurance, read our information in “To Learn More” about paying for treatment when you are uninsured. As soon as you are up to it, start figuring out how to get it. Your diagnosis does not prevent your getting health insurance.
  • If you do have health insurance, assistance is available for paying premiums, co-pays etc. See “To Learn More.”
  • If someone takes advantage of you financially, you may have rights as a “vulnerable person.” See “To Learn More.”

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