{"id":28165,"date":"2025-06-09T15:39:49","date_gmt":"2025-06-09T19:39:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.mesotheliomahope.com\/?p=28165"},"modified":"2025-06-26T15:14:50","modified_gmt":"2025-06-26T19:14:50","slug":"how-to-manage-mesothelioma-medical-costs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mesotheliomahope.com\/blog\/how-to-manage-mesothelioma-medical-costs\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Manage Medical Costs for Mesothelioma"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>No one should have to worry about finances after a mesothelioma diagnosis. But treatments can be expensive, and some estimates say as many as half of all cancer patients will experience financial challenges after their diagnosis.<\/p>\n<p>If you\u2019re feeling overwhelmed as you try to navigate insurance, billing, and out-of-pocket expenses, know that what you\u2019re feeling is normal \u2014 and that <strong>help is available<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>Our Oncology Nurse Navigator <a href=\"\/blog\/meet-liz-logan-mesothelioma-nurse\/\">Liz Logan<\/a> is sharing the latest guidance from the May 2025 Triage Health Conference to help patients and families feel more organized and in control of their medical expenses.<\/p>\n<div class=\"blockquote-w-image \"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/liz-logan-eclipse.png\" alt=\"\" \/><blockquote><p>&#8220;A big part of my job is helping people understand their options. <strong>You don\u2019t have to figure this all out alone<\/strong>.&#8221;<\/p>\n<footer>&ndash;<cite> Liz Logan, RN, Mesothelioma Hope Oncology Nurse Navigator<\/cite><\/footer><\/blockquote><style type=\"text\/css\">.blockquote-w-image{position:relative;margin:40px auto}.blockquote-w-image blockquote{background:none;border-left:none;padding:25px;margin-top:0;padding-bottom:0;font-size:inherit;line-height:inherit}.blockquote-w-image blockquote footer cite{font-size:inherit}.blockquote-w-image blockquote p{margin-bottom:0}.blockquote-w-image img{width:100px;border:none;border-radius:100%;box-shadow:none;position:relative;margin:0 auto}.blockquote-w-image.alternative{margin:60px auto}.blockquote-w-image.alternative blockquote{padding:25px 25px 25px 80px;padding-bottom:25px;background-color:#E4F4F6}.blockquote-w-image.alternative img{position:absolute;left:20px;top:25px;z-index:1;width:50px;border:1px solid #fff;box-shadow:0 0 10px rgba(34,34,34,0.2);border-radius:100%}.blockquote-w-image.with-border{background:none;border-left:4px solid #0FAEBF}.blockquote-w-image.with-border blockquote{background:none;border-radius:0;padding:10px 25px}.blockquote-w-image.with-border blockquote footer cite{font-size:inherit}.blockquote-w-image blockquote:before{display:none}@media screen and (min-width: 769px){.blockquote-w-image img{position:absolute;left:0;top:0}.blockquote-w-image blockquote{padding:0 25px 0 125px;min-height:90px}}@media screen and (min-width: 1024px){.blockquote-w-image.alternative blockquote{padding-left:105px}.blockquote-w-image.alternative blockquote footer cite{font-size:16px}.entry-content .blockquote-w-image.alternative img{width:60px;left:25px}}<\/style><\/div>\n<p>Here are 5 steps that can help you manage your finances if you\u2019re facing <a href=\"\/mesothelioma\/\">mesothelioma<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2>1. Understand Your Health Insurance Coverage<\/h2>\n<p>Before treatment begins, take time to learn the details of your health insurance plan. This can help prevent unexpected bills and ensure you\u2019re getting the most from your coverage.<\/p>\n<p>Start by checking how close you are to reaching your <strong>out-of-pocket maximum<\/strong> \u2014 the most you\u2019ll have to pay out of pocket for covered services in a year. Once you hit that limit, your insurance covers 100% of eligible care for the rest of the year.<\/p>\n<p>You should also confirm that <strong>all your doctors and cancer centers are in-network<\/strong>\u00a0and determine whether <strong>prior authorization<\/strong> is required for any <a href=\"\/treatment\/\">mesothelioma treatments<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;If prior authorization is needed, ask if your doctor\u2019s office will handle it \u2014 but don\u2019t assume they will,&#8221; Liz cautions. &#8220;If it falls through the cracks, your treatment might not be covered.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Get your <strong>Free Mesothelioma Guide<\/strong> for information on the latest treatments and how to seek financial compensation to help cover your medical costs.<\/p>\n<h2>2. Review Your EOB Before Paying Bills<\/h2>\n<p>When your medical bills arrive, don\u2019t pay them right away. Wait until you receive your <strong>Explanation of Benefits (EOB)<\/strong> from your insurance company.<\/p>\n<p>The EOB outlines what your plan paid for, what was denied, and how much (if anything) you actually owe. Sometimes a bill shows up before your insurance has fully processed the claim or before they\u2019ve corrected a billing code.<\/p>\n<div class=\"blockquote-w-image \"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/liz-logan-eclipse.png\" alt=\"\" \/><blockquote><p>&#8220;<strong>Don\u2019t panic when you see that first bill. <\/strong>It might not be accurate, and you don\u2019t want to overpay.&#8221;<\/p>\n<footer>&ndash;<cite> Liz Logan, RN, Mesothelioma Hope Oncology Nurse Navigator<\/cite><\/footer><\/blockquote><style type=\"text\/css\">.blockquote-w-image{position:relative;margin:40px auto}.blockquote-w-image blockquote{background:none;border-left:none;padding:25px;margin-top:0;padding-bottom:0;font-size:inherit;line-height:inherit}.blockquote-w-image blockquote footer cite{font-size:inherit}.blockquote-w-image blockquote p{margin-bottom:0}.blockquote-w-image img{width:100px;border:none;border-radius:100%;box-shadow:none;position:relative;margin:0 auto}.blockquote-w-image.alternative{margin:60px auto}.blockquote-w-image.alternative blockquote{padding:25px 25px 25px 80px;padding-bottom:25px;background-color:#E4F4F6}.blockquote-w-image.alternative img{position:absolute;left:20px;top:25px;z-index:1;width:50px;border:1px solid #fff;box-shadow:0 0 10px rgba(34,34,34,0.2);border-radius:100%}.blockquote-w-image.with-border{background:none;border-left:4px solid #0FAEBF}.blockquote-w-image.with-border blockquote{background:none;border-radius:0;padding:10px 25px}.blockquote-w-image.with-border blockquote footer cite{font-size:inherit}.blockquote-w-image blockquote:before{display:none}@media screen and (min-width: 769px){.blockquote-w-image img{position:absolute;left:0;top:0}.blockquote-w-image blockquote{padding:0 25px 0 125px;min-height:90px}}@media screen and (min-width: 1024px){.blockquote-w-image.alternative blockquote{padding-left:105px}.blockquote-w-image.alternative blockquote footer cite{font-size:16px}.entry-content .blockquote-w-image.alternative img{width:60px;left:25px}}<\/style><\/div>\n<p>If you&#8217;re unsure how to read your EOB or believe there&#8217;s been a mistake, contact your insurance company for guidance.<\/p>\n<h2>3. Know How to Appeal Insurance Denials<\/h2>\n<p>If your insurance denies coverage for a treatment,<strong> you have the right to<\/strong> <strong>appeal<\/strong>. Many patients successfully reverse these decisions when they follow the proper steps.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>For <strong>pre-treatment denials<\/strong>, patients should file an internal appeal within 180 days. The insurer\u2019s decision should be made within 30 days.<\/li>\n<li>For <strong>denials after treatment<\/strong>, the same 180-day window usually applies, but it might take up to 90 days to get a response.<\/li>\n<li>In <strong>urgent situations<\/strong>, you can request both internal and external reviews at the same time, and your insurer should respond within 72 hours.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>If your internal appeal is denied, you can file for an Independent Medical Review (IMR) \u2014 also known as an external review \u2014 <strong>within 4 months of the denial<\/strong>. You\u2019ll receive a decision within 45 days, and it\u2019s legally binding for your insurer.<\/p>\n<div class=\"did-you-know icon-bell\"><style type=\"text\/css\">.did-you-know{background:#F3F2F0;border-radius:10px;margin:40px 0;padding:20px 20px 20px 80px;position:relative}.did-you-know:before{position:absolute;left:20px;top:20px;width:45px;height:45px;background:#0FAEBF;border-radius:50px;color:#fff;text-align:center;line-height:45px;font-size:27px}.did-you-know .heading{font-size:24px;color:#100134;padding:10px 0;display:block;margin:0 0 5px}.did-you-know h2,.did-you-know .h2,.did-you-know h3,.did-you-know .h3{font-size:24px;line-height:1.14}@media screen and (min-width: 1024px){.did-you-know{padding:25px 25px 25px 90px}.did-you-know:before{left:25px;top:25px}.did-you-know .heading{padding:8px 0}.did-you-know h2,.did-you-know .h2,.did-you-know h3,.did-you-know .h3{font-size:24px;line-height:1.14}}<\/style><strong class=\"heading\">Did You Know?<\/strong><p>A study by Premier Inc. found that over half of medical claims initially denied by private payers were ultimately paid after appeals.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<h2>4. Pursue Mesothelioma Compensation<\/h2>\n<p>You may qualify for <a href=\"\/legal\/compensation\/\">mesothelioma compensation<\/a> if you were exposed to asbestos in the workplace, during military service, or through certain products.<\/p>\n<p><strong>You may qualify for compensation from:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"\/legal\/asbestos-trust-funds\/\">Asbestos trust funds<\/a>: Access over <strong>$30 billion<\/strong> set aside by bankrupt asbestos companies for qualified mesothelioma patients and families.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/legal\/settlements\/\">Mesothelioma settlements<\/a>: Many patients receive <strong>$1 million or more<\/strong> without having to go to court. These funds can help cover medical bills, lost income, and other expenses.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/veterans\/va-benefits\/disability\/\">Veterans disability benefits<\/a>: You may qualify for VA benefits, including tax-free<strong> monthly payments over $4,000<\/strong> and inexpensive treatment through a VA hospital.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>This compensation can help reduce the financial burden of mesothelioma care and ensure you have access to the treatment you need.<\/p>\n<div class=\"blockquote-w-image \"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/liz-logan-eclipse.png\" alt=\"\" \/><blockquote><p>&#8220;There\u2019s a lot of support out there, but patients don\u2019t always know where to look. That\u2019s why Patient Advocates can be so helpful \u2014<strong> we connect you to those resources<\/strong>.&#8221;<\/p>\n<footer>&ndash;<cite> Liz Logan, RN, Mesothelioma Hope Oncology Nurse Navigator<\/cite><\/footer><\/blockquote><style type=\"text\/css\">.blockquote-w-image{position:relative;margin:40px auto}.blockquote-w-image blockquote{background:none;border-left:none;padding:25px;margin-top:0;padding-bottom:0;font-size:inherit;line-height:inherit}.blockquote-w-image blockquote footer cite{font-size:inherit}.blockquote-w-image blockquote p{margin-bottom:0}.blockquote-w-image img{width:100px;border:none;border-radius:100%;box-shadow:none;position:relative;margin:0 auto}.blockquote-w-image.alternative{margin:60px auto}.blockquote-w-image.alternative blockquote{padding:25px 25px 25px 80px;padding-bottom:25px;background-color:#E4F4F6}.blockquote-w-image.alternative img{position:absolute;left:20px;top:25px;z-index:1;width:50px;border:1px solid #fff;box-shadow:0 0 10px rgba(34,34,34,0.2);border-radius:100%}.blockquote-w-image.with-border{background:none;border-left:4px solid #0FAEBF}.blockquote-w-image.with-border blockquote{background:none;border-radius:0;padding:10px 25px}.blockquote-w-image.with-border blockquote footer cite{font-size:inherit}.blockquote-w-image blockquote:before{display:none}@media screen and (min-width: 769px){.blockquote-w-image img{position:absolute;left:0;top:0}.blockquote-w-image blockquote{padding:0 25px 0 125px;min-height:90px}}@media screen and (min-width: 1024px){.blockquote-w-image.alternative blockquote{padding-left:105px}.blockquote-w-image.alternative blockquote footer cite{font-size:16px}.entry-content .blockquote-w-image.alternative img{width:60px;left:25px}}<\/style><\/div>\n<p>Get a <strong>Free Case Review <\/strong>to find out if you qualify for mesothelioma compensation. We&#8217;ll connect you with our expert legal partners to help you get the support you deserve.<\/p>\n<div id=\"23978\" class=\"one-off-23978 widget widget_oscar-vque one-off\" data-vqueid=\"23978\"><style type=\"text\/css\" data-style=\"one-off\">.one-off-23978{margin:60px auto}.one-off-23978 a{box-shadow:0 20px 20px 0 rgba(0,0,0,.03);background:linear-gradient(180deg,#0FAEBF 0,rgba(129,208,217,0) 100%);border:1px solid rgba(230,231,236,1);display:block;text-decoration:none;color:#000;max-width:370px;margin:0 auto}.one-off-23978 a>div{background:#fff;margin-left:3px}.one-off-23978 .vque-content{padding:20px 20px 25px}.one-off-23978 .heading{font-size:20px;line-height:23px;display:block;letter-spacing:-1px;text-align:center;max-width:260px;margin:0 auto 20px}.one-off-23978 ul{font-size:16px;text-align:left;list-style:none;max-width:210px;line-height:1.4;margin:15px auto 20px}.one-off-23978 ul li{padding-left:28px;margin-bottom:10px}.one-off-23978 ul li:last-child{margin-bottom:0}.one-off-23978 ul li:before{font-family:\"mesohope\"!important;font-display:swap;speak:none;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-transform:none;line-height:1;content:\"\\e904\";color:#fff;border:0;position:absolute;left:0;top:0;background:#0FAEBF;width:20px;height:20px;border-radius:20px;line-height:20px;text-align:center;font-size:12px}.one-off-23978 .button{display:block;text-align:center;padding:10px 17px;max-width:245px;margin:0 auto}.one-off-23978 .image-wrap{background:rgba(15,174,191,1);color:#fff;padding:0 30px;display:flex;align-items:center;justify-content:center}.one-off-23978 img.shc-logo{max-width:168px;margin:0 auto 15px}.one-off-23978 img.rep{max-width:70px;transform:scale(-1,1);margin-right:15px}.one-off-23978 img.mh-logo{display:none}.one-off-23978 .name{font-size:13px;line-height:15px;margin-bottom:9px}.one-off-23978 .name strong{font-size:15px;line-height:17px;display:block}.one-off-23978 .description{font-size:12px;line-height:14px;max-width:165px}@media screen and (min-width:768px){.one-off-23978 a{max-width:530px;padding-right:210px;position:relative;min-height:260px}.one-off-23978 .vque-content{padding:25px 30px}.one-off-23978 .heading{text-align:left}.one-off-23978 ul{margin:15px 0 20px}.one-off-23978 .button{display:inline-block}.one-off-23978 .image-wrap{display:inline-block;position:absolute;right:0;top:0;bottom:0;max-width:210px;padding:25px 23px 0}.one-off-23978 img.shc-logo{max-width:180px;margin:0 0 15px}.one-off-23978 img.rep{width:180px;margin:0 auto;transform:none;position:absolute;bottom:0;max-width:unset}.one-off-23978 img.mh-logo{display:block;bottom:45px;position:absolute}}<\/style><a href=\"\/simmons-hanly-conroy\/\" title=\"Get a Free Mesothelioma Case Review\" class=\"cte\" data-ce-category=\"In-Content Ads\" data-ce-label=\"Get a Free Mesothelioma Case Review Ad\"><div>\r\n    <div class=\"vque-content\">\r\n    <img decoding=\"async\"  src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" data-src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/logo-simmonsfirm-color.png\" alt=\"Simmons Hanly Conroy\" class=\"lazyload shc-logo\" >\r\n        <strong class=\"heading\">Get a Free Mesothelioma Case Review<\/strong>\r\n        <ul>\r\n            <li>Over $30 billion available<\/li>\r\n            <li>No cost to file a claim<\/li>\r\n            <li>Avoid going to court<\/li>\r\n        <\/ul>\r\n        <p><strong class=\"button arrow\" title=\"Get a Free Case Review\">Get a Free Case Review<\/strong><\/p>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n    <div class=\"image-wrap\">\r\n        <img decoding=\"async\"  src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" data-src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/shara-fisher-ad.png\" alt=\"Shara Fisher\" class=\"lazyload rep\" >\r\n        <span><div class=\"name\"><strong>Shara Fisher<\/strong> Senior Paralegal<\/div><div class=\"description\"><strong>17+ years<\/strong> providing legal help to mesothelioma victims<\/div><\/span>\r\n         <img decoding=\"async\"  src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" data-src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/MH-logo.png\" alt=\"Mesothelioma Hope Logo\" class=\"lazyload mh-logo\" >\r\n    <\/div>\r\n<\/div><\/a><\/div>\n<h2>5. Contact the Billing Department<\/h2>\n<p>When insurance covers only part of the cost and you can\u2019t afford the remaining balance, consider speaking with the billing department of the hospital or your <a href=\"\/treatment\/doctors\/\">mesothelioma doctor<\/a>. They may be able to waive part of the bill or arrange for donated medical services.<\/p>\n<p><strong>For care you\u2019ve already received, it\u2019s worth asking the billing department whether they can:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Extend your payment deadline<\/li>\n<li>Offer a lower lump sum payment<\/li>\n<li>Set up a monthly payment plan<\/li>\n<li>Waive a portion of the charges<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>If you\u2019re receiving treatment at a nonprofit hospital, they&#8217;re legally required to offer charity care or a sliding scale billing based on your income.<\/p>\n<h2>Get Help With Financial Assistance for Mesothelioma Care<\/h2>\n<p>Managing the financial side of mesothelioma is stressful, but there are direct steps you can take to stay organized and ensure you\u2019re not missing out on available support.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Liz and our other Patient Advocates can help you:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Check your eligibility for asbestos trust fund payouts<\/li>\n<li>File for VA disability benefits<\/li>\n<li>Find travel grants and copay assistance<\/li>\n<li>Pursue legal settlements<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Call <strong><a href=\"tel:+18666088933\" title=\"Click to call (866) 608-8933\" class=\"in-content-tel-link\" data-ce-category=\"Click to Call\" data-ce-label=\"(866) 608-8933\">(866) 608-8933<\/a> or use our <a href=\"\/about\/contact\/\">contact form<\/a> to get in touch today.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>No one should have to worry about finances after a mesothelioma diagnosis. But treatments can be expensive, and some estimates say as many as half of all cancer patients will experience financial challenges after their diagnosis. If you\u2019re feeling overwhelmed as you try to navigate insurance, billing, and out-of-pocket expenses, know that what you\u2019re feeling&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":35,"featured_media":28166,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[271],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-28165","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-health-wellness"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mesotheliomahope.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/28165","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mesotheliomahope.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mesotheliomahope.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mesotheliomahope.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/35"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mesotheliomahope.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=28165"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.mesotheliomahope.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/28165\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mesotheliomahope.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/28166"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mesotheliomahope.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=28165"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mesotheliomahope.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=28165"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mesotheliomahope.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=28165"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}