Mesothelioma Help Center - Mesothelioma Support

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Mesothelioma Doctors
Financial Assistance Resources for Mesothelioma Patients

We support helping and educating mesothelioma patients and family members to obtain the most up-to-date information on treatment options, and connecting them with mesothelioma treatment specialists, and experienced legal support to from experienced mesothelioma lawyers we have sent people to in each state. We also promote and support critically-needed research to develop more effective treatments and ultimately a cure.
The Mesothelioma Help Center is another tool to give mesothelioma patients and their families the latest and most relevant information about mesothelioma cancer, offer hope and support, and help patients and medical professionals with quick mesothelioma answers and support to find experienced mesothelioma legal representation in your state. We encourage you to send us new information to share with our readers of new treatments and hope for mesothelioma victims.
Mesothelioma is an aggressive cancer caused by asbestos. For decades, asbestos was used heavily in construction, industry, the Navy, even household products and appliances. It is still present in many homes, schools, and office buildings. The disease can arise from small exposures, and even as much as 50 years later. As a result, each year 4,000 Americans and many thousands more worldwide develop mesothelioma, and millions of us are at risk.

Mesothelioma Doctors

State	Doctor/Hospital	Phone Number	Address
AL	UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center	1-800-UAB-0933	1824 6th Avenue South, Birmingham, AL
AZ	Arizona Cancer Center	1-800-622-COPE	1515 North Campbell Ave., Tucson, AZ 85724-5024
CA	Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center	(714) 456-8200	101 The City Drive, Bldg, 23; Route 81, Orange, CA 92868
CA	Dr. David Jablons (UCSF Cancer Center)	(415) 885-3882	1600 Divisadero Street, San Francisco, CA 94115
CA	Dr. Kim Kerstine (City of Hope/Beckman Research Institute)	1-800-826-HOPE	1500 East Duarte Road, Duarte, California 91010
CA	Dr. Robert Cameron (UCLA Surgery)	(310) 794-7333	10833 Le Conte Ave, Los Angeles, CA, 90095
CA	Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center	(310) 825-5268	8-684 Factor Building , Los Angeles, CA 90095-1781
CA	Rebecca and John Moores UCSD Cancer Center	1-858-822-1222	3855 Health Sciences Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093
CA	USC/Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center	1-800-USC-CARE	1441 Eastlake Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90033
CO	University of Colorado Cancer Center	1-800-473-2288	1665 N. Ursula St., Aurora, CO 80045
CT	Yale Cancer Center	(203) 785-4095	333 Cedar Street, New Haven, CT 06520-8028
DC	Dr. Paul Sugarbaker (Washington Cancer Institute)	(202) 877-3908	106 Irving Street NW, Suite 3900N, Washington, DC 20010
DC	Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center	(202) 784-4000	38 Reservoir Road NW, Washington, DC 20057
FL	Dr. Larry Robinson (Moffitt Cancer Center Institute)	(813) 972-8412	12902 Magnolia Dr. Tampa, FL 33612
IL	Dr. Hedy Lee Kindler (University of Chicago Hospitals)	(773) 702-0360	5841 S. Maryland Avenue, Chicago, IL 60637
IL	Robert H. Lurie Cancer Center, Northwestern University	(312) 908-5250	675 N. St. Clair, Galter Pavilion - 21st floor, Chicago, IL 60611
MA	Dana-Farber Cancer Institute	1-800-320-0022	44 Binney Street, Boston, MA 02115
MA	Dr. David J. Sugarbaker (Brigham and Women's Hospital)	(617) 732-6824	75 Francis Street, Boston, MA 02115
MD	Dr. Mark Krasna (University of Maryland Cancer Center)	(410) 328-6366	22 S Greene Street, Baltimore, MD 21201
MD	Dr. Stephen Yang (Johns Hopkins Oncology Center)	(410) 614-3891	401 North Broadway, Baltimore, MD 21231
MI	Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute	800-KARMANOS	4100 John R, Detroit, Michigan 48201
MI	Dr. Gregory Kalemkerian (University Michigan Cancer Center)	(734) 936-5281	1500 E. Medical Center Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48109
MN	Mayo Clinic Cancer Center	(507) 284-2111	200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905
MN	University of Minnesota Cancer Center	(612) 624-8484	420 Delaware St. SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455
NC	Comprehensive Cancer Center, Wake Forest University	1-800-446-2255	Medical Center Boulevard, Winston-Salem, NC 27157
NC	Dr. David Harpole (Duke University Medical Center)	(919) 668-8413	Trent Drive, Durham, NC 27706
NC	UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center	(919) 966-3036	Manning Drive, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7295
NE	Dr. Brian W. Loggie (Creighton University Medical Center)	(402) 280-4100	2500 California Plaza , Omaha, NE 68178
NH	Norris Cotton Cancer Center	1-800-639-6918	1 Medical Center Drive, Lebanon, NH 03756
NM	Dr. Claire F. Verschraegen (UNM Cancer Treatment Center)	(505) 272-4551	900 Camino de Salud NE, Albuquerque, NM 87131
NY	Cancer Research Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine	(718) 430-2302	1300 Morris Park Avenue, Bronx, NY 10461
NY	Dr. Harvey Pass (NYU Comprehensive Cancer Center)	(212) 263-7417	530 First Avenue, Suite 9V, NY, NY 10016
NY	Dr. Robert N. Taub, MD (NY Presbyterian Medical Center)	(212) 305-4076	161 Fort Washington Avenue, New York, NY 10032
NY	Drs. Valerie Rusch and Raja Flores (Memorial Sloan-Kettering)	(212) 639-2806	1275 York Avenue, New York, NY 10021
NY	Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center	(212) 305-9327	622 West 168th Street, New York, NY 10032
NY	NYU Cancer Center	(212) 263-6485	550 First Avenue, New York, NY 10016
NY	Roswell Park Cancer Institute	1-800-ROSWELL	Elm and Carlton Streets, Buffalo, NY, 14263
OH	Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital	1-800-293-5066	300 W. 10th Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210
OH	Case Western Reserve University Hospitals	(216) 844-8797	Wearn 152, 11000 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44106
OH	Dr. David P. Mason (Cleveland Clinic Foundation)	(216) 444-4053	9500 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44195
PA	Dr. Daniel Sterman (University of Pennsylvania Cancer Center)	(215) 614-0984	3400 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104
PA	Dr. Joseph S. Friedberg (UPenn at Presybterian)	(215) 662-9195	39th and Market Streets, Philadelphia, PA 19104
PA	Fox Chase Cancer Center	888-FOX-CHASE	333 Cottman Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19111
PA	University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute	1-800-237-4PCI	5115 Centre Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15232
TX	Dr. David C. Rice (MD Anderson Cancer Center)	(713) 794-1477	1515 Holcombe Blvd, Houston, TX 77030
TX	Dr. J Michael DiMaio (UT Southwestern Medical Center)	(214) 645-7731	5323 Harry Hines Blvd, Dallas, Texas 75390-8879
TX	Dr. Roy Smythe (Scott & White)	(254) 724-2595	2401 South 31st Street, Temple, TX 76508
TX	San Antonio Cancer Institute	(210) 616-5590	7703 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, TX 78229
VT	Vermont Cancer Center	(802) 656-4414	89 Beaumont Avenue, Burlington, VT 05405
WA	Dr. Eric Vallieres (University of Washington Medical Center)	(206) 598-4477	1959 NE Pacific, Seattle, WA 98195
WA	Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center	(206) 667-5000	1100 Fairview Avenue N, Seattle, WA 98109
WA	Seattle Cancer Care Alliance	(206) 288-1024	825 Eastlake Avenue E, Seattle WA 98109
WI	Comprehensive Cancer Center	1-800-622-8922	600 Highland Avenue, Madison, WI 53792-6164

Financial Assistance Resources for Mesothelioma Patients

Cancer imposes heavy economic burdens on both patients and their families. For many people, a portion of medical expenses is paid by their health insurance plan. For individuals who do not have health insurance or who need financial assistance to cover health care costs, resources are available, including Government-sponsored programs and services supported by nonprofit organizations. Cancer patients and their families should discuss any concerns they may have about health care costs with their physician, medical social worker, or the business office of their hospital or clinic.

Listed below are Government agencies, organizations, and programs that are designed to provide assistance for cancer patients and their families. Resources provided by individual organizations vary, and it is important to check with a specific group to determine if financial aid is currently available. Organizations that provide publications in Spanish or have Spanish-speaking staff have been identified.

Cancer Treatment

Government

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

Trained counselors offer information, counseling and assistance to Medicare beneficiaries on a wide range of Medicare and Medicaid, and Medigap matters, including, Medicare+Choice health plan options, long-term care insurance, claims and billing problem resolution, information and referral on public benefit programs for those with limited income and assets, and other health insurance benefit information.

To locate a SHIP program in your area click here (hyperlink to http://www.medicare.gov/contacts/static/allStateContacts.asp and you will be taken to the SHIP listing on Medicare.gov. In addition, you can be referred to your SHIP by contacting 1-800-Medicare and asking for health insurance counseling.

The Health Resources and Services Administration's (HRSA) Bureau of Primary Health Care offers Health Centers that provide health care to low-income and other vulnerable populations. Health Centers care for people regardless of their ability to pay. They provide primary and preventive health care, as well as services such as transportation and translation. To locate a Health Center , visit the “Service Delivery Sites” Web page at http://ask.hrsa.gov/pc/ on the Internet.

Hill-Burton is a program through which hospitals receive construction and modernization funds from the Federal Government. Hospitals that receive Hill-Burton funds are required by law to provide a reasonable volume of services to people who cannot afford to pay for their hospitalization and make their services available to all residents in the facility's area. Information about Hill-Burton facilities is available by calling the toll-free number or visiting the Web site shown below. A brochure about the program is available in Spanish.
Telephone: 1-800-638-0742 ( Maryland residents call 1-800-492-0359)
Web site: http://www.hrsa.gov/hillburton/default.htm

Medicaid (Medical Assistance), a jointly funded, Federal-State health insurance program for people who need financial assistance for medical expenses, is coordinated by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). At a minimum, states must provide home care services to people who receive Federal income assistance such as Social Security Income and Aid to Families with Dependent Children. Medicaid coverage includes part-time nursing, home care aide services, and medical supplies and equipment. Information about coverage is available from local state welfare offices, state health departments, state social services agencies, or the state Medicaid office. Check the local telephone directory for the number to call. Information about specific state contacts is also available on the Web site listed below. Spanish-speaking staff is available in some offices.
Telephone: 1- 877-267-2323
Web site: http://www.cms.gov/medicaid/consumer.asp

Medicare is a Federal health insurance program also administered by the CMS. Eligible individuals include those who are 65 or older, people of any age with permanent kidney failure, and disabled people under age 65. Medicare is divided into two parts, Part A and Part B. Part A pays for hospital care, home health care, hospice care, and care in Medicare-certified nursing facilities. Part B covers medically necessary services, including diagnostic studies, physicians' services, durable home medical equipment, and ambulance transportation; Part B also covers screening exams for several types of cancer. To receive information on eligibility, explanations of coverage, and related publications, call Medicare at the number listed below or visit their Web site. Some publications are available in Spanish. Spanish-speaking staff is available.
Telephone: 1-800-633-4227 (1-800-MEDICARE)
TTY: 1-877-486-2048
Web site: http://www.medicare.gov

The Veterans Administration (VA) provides eligible veterans with treatment for service-connected injuries and other medical conditions. The VA offers limited medical benefits to family members of eligible veterans. The VA cancer program provides users of the veterans' health care system easy access to cancer prevention, detection, and treatment services. Its Web site offers cancer facts, information about care, a list of VA-designated comprehensive cancer centers, and the VA's national cancer strategy. For more information about the VA cancer program, visit the VA Cancer Web page at http://www1.va.gov/cancer/index.cfm on the Internet. Some publications are available in Spanish. Spanish-speaking staff is available in some offices.
Telephone: 1-877-222-8387 (1-877-222-VETS)
Web site: http://www1.va.gov/health/

Nonprofit Organizations

The Mesothelioma Research Foundation of America (MRFA) is a national nonprofit organization with the goal of finding better treatments for this difficult cancer. It offers free information and practical help to people with mesothelioma and their loved ones, and provides funding for mesothelioma research studies. For instance, MRFA is currently funding the phase II Veglin trial at the USC/Norris comprehensive cancer center.
Telephone: 1-800-909-MESO (6376)
Web site: http://www.mesorfa.org

Patient Assistance Programs are offered by some pharmaceutical manufacturers to help pay for medications. To learn whether a specific drug might be available at reduced cost through such a program, talk with a physician or a medical social worker or visit the drug manufacturer's Web site. Most pharmaceutical companies will have a section titled “patient assistance programs” on their Web site. The Partnership for Prescription Assistance has information about more than 475 public and private patient assistance programs.
Telephone: 1-888-477-2669 (1-888-4PPA-NOW)
Web site: https://www.pparx.org/Intro.php

Practical Needs

In addition to cancer treatments, many cancer patients need assistance paying for transportation to and from medical appointments and basic living expenses such as food and housing. Listed below are organizations dedicated to helping cancer patients and their families during and after the patient's treatment.

Government

Eldercare Locator is a referral service provided by the U.S. Administration on Aging, an agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Eldercare Locator information specialists will link callers with state and area agencies on aging for information and referral to local agencies that provide a wide array of senior services. This service is available Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., EST.
Telephone: 1-800-677-1116

GovBenefits.gov is a partnership of Federal agencies with a shared vision to provide improved, personalized access to government assistance programs. This Web site's online screening tool is free, easy-to-use, and completely confidential. The user answers a series of questions, then the Web site generates a list of government benefit programs that the user may be eligible to receive, along with information about how the user can apply.
Telephone: 1-800-333-4636 (1-800-FED-INFO)
Web site: http://www.govbenefits.gov

The Social Security Administration (SSA) is the Government agency that oversees Social Security and Supplemental Security Income. Social Security provides monthly income for eligible elderly and disabled individuals. More information about these and other SSA programs is available by calling the toll-free number listed below. Spanish-speaking staff are available. Additional contact information for the SSA is available at http://www.ssa.gov/reach.htm on the Internet.
Telephone: 1-800-772-1213
TTY: 1-800-325-0778
Web site: http://www.ssa.gov/

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is administered by the SSA and supplements Social Security payments for aged, blind, and disabled people with little or no income. It provides cash to meet basic needs for food, clothing, and shelter. Information on eligibility, coverage, and how to file a claim is available from the SSA. The Benefit Eligibility Screening Tool is available at https://s044a90.ssa.gov/apps12/best/benefits/ on the Internet.
Web site: http://www.ssa.gov/notices/supplemental-security-income/

Nonprofit Organizations

The Mesothelioma Research Foundation of America (MRFA) is a national nonprofit organization with the goal of finding better treatments for this difficult cancer. It offers free information and practical help to people with mesothelioma and their loved ones, and provides funding for mesothelioma research studies. For instance, MRFA is currently funding the phase II Veglin trial at the USC/Norris comprehensive cancer center.
Telephone: 1-800-909-MESO (6376)
Web site: http://www.mesorfa.org

The Mesothelioma Research Foundation of America (MRFA) Cancer Survivors Network (1-800-909-6376)

The American Cancer Society (ACS) offers programs that help cancer patients, family members, and friends cope with the treatment decisions and emotional challenges they face. To get information about these programs, call the national ACS office, or find a local ACS office by typing your location into the search boxes on the “My Local ACS Office” Web page at http://www.cancer.org/asp/search/mla/mla_global.asp?navToScreen=mla_0 on the Internet. Some materials are published in Spanish. Spanish-speaking staff is available.
Telephone: 1-800-227-2345 (1-800-ACS-2345)
Web site: http://www.cancer.org

Other Resources

In addition to the Government-sponsored programs and organizations already listed, these general resources may also be helpful:

Government

Some nonprofit community hospitals are able to provide care for patients in need of financial assistance. Other hospitals have indigent or charity care programs funded by state and local governments. For information about these programs, contact a hospital social worker, who will be able to explain these types of programs. Another type of assistance may be offered through your local health department. The National Cancer Institute's (NCI) Cancer Information Service may be able to provide information about local programs by phone at 1-800-4-CANCER (800 422-6237).

State and local social services agencies can provide help with food, housing, prescription drugs, transportation, and other medical expenses for those who are not eligible for other programs. Information can be obtained by contacting your state or local agency; this number is found in the local telephone directory.

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) can provide information about tax deductions for medical costs that are not covered by insurance policies. For example, tax deductible expenses might include mileage for trips to and from medical appointments, out-of-pocket costs for treatment, prescription drugs or equipment, and the cost of meals during lengthy medical visits. Deductible-qualified medical expenses include those incurred by the patient, spouse, and dependents. Medical expenses may also be deducted for someone who would have qualified as a dependent for the purpose of taking personal exemptions except that the person did not meet the gross income or joint return test. Nursing home expenses are allowable as medical expenses in certain instances. If the patient, a spouse, or dependent is in a nursing home, and the primary reason for being there is for medical care, the entire cost, including meals and lodging, is a medical expense. The local IRS office, tax consultants, or certified public accountants can determine whether medical costs are tax deductible.
Telephone: 1-800-829-1040
Web site: http://www.irs.gov

Nonprofit Organizations

Community voluntary agencies and service organizations such as the United Way of America, Salvation Army, Lutheran Social Services, Jewish Social Services, and Catholic Charities may offer help. These organizations are listed in your local phone directory. Some churches and synagogues may provide financial help or services to their members.

Drug Assistance Programs (Indigent Drug Programs)

Patient Assistance Programs are offered by many pharmaceutical manufacturers to help pay for medications. These programs are sometimes called Indigent Drug Programs. To learn whether a specific drug might be available at reduced cost or for free through such a program, talk with a physician or a medical social worker or visit the drug manufacturer's web site. Most pharmaceutical companies will have a section entitled “patient assistance programs” on their web site.

The Partnership for Prescription Assistance has information about more than 475 public and private patient assistance programs. If you have easy internet access then this website is the best place to start for getting financial assistance to pay for the drugs your doctor is recommending. You can type in the name of the drug and see right away what programs are available to you.

Telephone: 1-888-477-2669 (1-888-4PPA-NOW)
Web site: https://www.pparx.org/Intro.php

At the Mesothelioma Research Foundation of America, you can call toll free (800) 909-Meso (6376) to talk with one of our Cancer Information Specialists who will gladly look up the phone numbers or the web site of the pharmaceutical company that makes the drug you are using. They can explain to you the process of getting the drug for free. Typically your doctor will need to sign off on the application form. You can either fill the form out online or you can print it out. The most commonly used drug for mesothelioma is doxorubicin, also called Doxil. For example, you can apply for that drug at http://www.doxiline.com.

You can also call toll free number to the pharmaceutical company to request the application form be sent to you.

Telephone Numbers of Some Pharmaceutical Companies' Assistance Programs

Company	Drug	Toll-free Telephone Number
Ortho Biotech Products	doxorubicin (aka Doxil)	800 553-3851
Sicor Pharmaceuticals, Inc.	Carboplatin, Cisplatin	800 729-9991
Pfizer	Camptosar, Lyrica, Motrin	866-776-3700

National Organizations That Can Help

People with cancer and their families sometimes need assistance coping with the emotional as well as the practical aspects of their disease. This fact sheet includes some of the national nonprofit organizations that provide this type of support. It is not intended to be a comprehensive listing of all organizations that offer these services in the United States, nor does inclusion of any particular organization imply endorsement by the Mesothelioma Research Foundation of America. The intent of this fact sheet is to provide information useful to individuals nationally. For that reason, it does not include the many local groups that offer valuable assistance to patients and their families in individual states or cities.

American Cancer Society (ACS)
Telephone: 404-320-3333
Toll Free: 1-800-227-2345 (1-800-ACS-2345)
Web site: http://www.cancer.org

The ACS is a voluntary organization that offers a variety of services to patients and their families. The ACS also supports research, provides printed materials, and conducts educational programs. Staff can accept calls and distribute publications in Spanish. A local ACS unit may be listed in the white pages of the telephone directory under “American Cancer Society.”

Source : www.mesorfa.org

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