Breast Cancer: Post Treatment 0 - 6 Months: At Work

Look at your employer benefits to maximize them in case of future need.

• Do whatever you can to get or keep health insurance. (If you don't have health insurance with your current job, think about changing jobs to an employer who provides health insurance, such as the government. See: Changing Your Job Or Career)
• Each year you may be able to pick a new health insurance policy. Pick the best one from the point of view of a person with cancer. (Survivorship A to Z shows you how in our Cancer Health Plan Evaluator).
• Take Disability Income Insurance and Long Term Care Insurance if they are offered.
• Take life insurance. Increase the death benefit on any policies you have. Even people with a health condition can usually do this once a year. In addition to providing for your heirs, you can get money from a life insurance policy while alive. 
• Learn how to maximize time off using your employer's benefits such as Sick Leave and your rights under laws such as the Family Medical Leave Act.

Sock as much money as you can into tax deferred savings accounts such as a 401(k) or a Health Savings Plan. See: Tax Advantaged Savings Plans

Create an Emergency+Fund. The key is to put as much cash aside as you can in case of recurrence. 

While you are employed, you likely receive credit card offers in the mail. Consider taking the cards. Taking the cards is not the same as using them - except to the minimum extent needed to keep them in force. Credit will be valuable if your breast cancer returns or if another type of cancer appears.

Insurers think of disability as something that happens at a defined moment. In reality, you have some control over whether and when you will be considered to be disabled for purposes of an insurer's programs or insurance such as Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). To prepare "just in case": 

• Each time you see your doctor, tell him or her about how your health condition affects your work. Ask the doctor to include this information in your medical record. This information will serve as a record that bolsters your eventual claim. It will also give your doctor a better understanding of how your life is being affected by your health condition.
• Consider seeing a mental health therapist. In addition to helping during your transition, a diagnosis of a mental condition such as depression can be considered to be a disabling condition in and of itself. 

To learn more about Social Security Disability Insurance and related programs, see the articles in "To Learn More."

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