Not everyone with mesothelioma has insurance coverage, and the treatment costs can be high. There is, however, financial support available for those with asbestos-related illnesses. U.S. veterans have many ways to get help paying for mesothelioma treatment and related expenses. Learn about top financial resources below.
How to Access Mesothelioma Financial Assistance
If you or a loved one has mesothelioma, you might qualify for financial aid. Many government programs and non-profit organizations provide compensation to civilians and U.S. veterans with mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma financial support can help you:
- Afford cancer treatments
- Cover basic living expenses (grocery bills, rent, mortgages)
- Get in-home nursing support
- Live in a nursing home if needed
U.S. veterans with mesothelioma notably may have access to more financial resources than civilians. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offers monthly financial payouts and free or reduced-cost medical care to veterans whose cancer stems from military asbestos exposure.
As of 2024, married veterans with mesothelioma qualify for $3,946.25 per month from the VA.
Get a Free Veterans Packet to explore your mesothelioma financial support options.
Organizations That Offer Mesothelioma Financial Support
Many non-profit and government organizations help mesothelioma patients with the various financial needs associated with this cancer.
These organizations include:
CancerCare
This non-profit organization provides mesothelioma financial support and information to people with cancer. Notably, CancerCare has a financial assistance program and social workers who can help you connect with other compensation resources.
If you want to be considered for financial assistance, contact 1-800-813-4673 or visit CancerCare's official website.
The Health Resources and Service Administration (HRSA)
HRSA has a Bureau of Primary Health Care that gives money to medical centers that provide medical services to low-income people.
This government agency covers primary health care, transportation, and translation services for those who need them, regardless of their ability to pay for them. See if you can get care with help from HRSA.
The Hill-Burton Program
This government program provides money for facilities that care for patients — even if the patients can't pay for their treatment. Around 140 facilities across the country provide free or low-cost care to select patients as part of this program.
Log on to the Hill-Burton Program site to find out if any of these facilities are in your area.
Medicaid
Medicaid is a federal and state health insurance plan for people who meet certain income guidelines that prevent them from being able to pay for health care.
Medicaid can cover costs for:
- Home care services
- Medical supplies and equipment
- Part-time nursing care
Each state has its own program. Contact your state’s program to get mesothelioma financial support by calling 1-877-267-2323 or logging on to medicaid.gov.
Medicare
This is a government program offered to people over 65 or who are disabled. There are two main parts, Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B.
- Medicare Part A pays for home health care, hospice care, hospital treatment, and care in certain nursing homes.
- Medicare Part B covers costs for the diagnosis of diseases, doctor care, ambulance care, and screening exams.
To see if you can be covered under Medicare, call 1-800-633-4227 or visit medicare.gov.
Mesothelioma Research Foundation of America
This is a non-profit organization that is designed to help find better treatments for mesothelioma. It primarily funds mesothelioma research programs and clinical trials (where new treatments are tested). Call 1-800-909-6376 or log on to mesorfa.org for more information on how to participate.
National Cancer Institute
The National Cancer Institute (NCI) doesn't typically provide funding directly to mesothelioma patients. However, it does sponsor research programs that are looking into how treatments can be improved.
The NCI has a budget of more than $7 billion as of 2024.
Financial resources are available for researchers. Information about mesothelioma and how patients can cope is available for free on the NCI's website.
NeedyMeds
This non-profit organization helps people who can’t afford their medications or other health care costs. It connects people to various assistance programs or other resources when they are stricken with a disease like mesothelioma. Visit the NeedyMeds website to learn more.
Patient Advocate Foundation
This is a non-profit foundation that helps cancer patients with legal counseling, referrals, and education. They can assist with finances, job discrimination, debts, and insurance problems.
Call 1-800-532-5274 or visit patientadvocate.org for more information. They have a copay relief system that helps insured patients cover high copays associated with medical care.
Pharmaceutical Manufacturers
Some pharmaceutical companies have special programs for patients needing expensive medications, including chemotherapy. Each manufacturer has its own website.
Find out who makes your medications and look up their website online to see if you qualify. The website can direct you to where you can determine if you qualify for assistance in paying for the medication. You can also log on to medicineassistancetool.org for a listing of helpful sites.
VA Benefits
Veterans with mesothelioma may qualify for a wide range of VA benefits, including free or low-cost health care, disability benefits, and other financial support options.
This is very important as asbestos exposure was common in the military before the early 1980s. 1 in 3 mesothelioma patients are U.S. veterans as a result.
If you served prior to the early 1980s and have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, there's a good chance you qualify for many VA benefits.
Our team can help you access mesothelioma VA benefits right now.
Get help with:
- VA Disability Claims
- Survivor Benefits
- Finding Veteran Doctors
Other Resources for Mesothelioma Patients
Mesothelioma patients often need more than financial aid for medical treatment. Issues like basic living expenses and transportation become big problems for mesothelioma patients as well.
Fortunately, many other resources exist to help mesothelioma patients, no matter how they're struggling.
These include:
- American Cancer Society (ACS): This organization helps patients and their families by providing key information about mesothelioma and how it's treated. Further, its Hope Lodges provide temporary, free housing for patients undergoing cancer treatments. Visit the ACS Hope Lodge webpage. Transportation services are also offered through local ACS offices.
- Benefits.gov: This is a group of federal agencies that help patients have better access to government assistance programs offered to those with various health issues. You can find out how to apply to the various assistance programs by calling 1-800-333-4636 or logging on to benefits.gov.
- Eldercare Locator: This helps people with issues related to health care and aging by referring them to various local agencies. Call 1-800-677-1116 between 9 a.m. and 8 p.m. EST, Monday through Friday.
- Mercy Medical Angels: This group provides information on different options for medical patients who need to undergo long-distance travel. Visit mercymedical.org to learn more.
- Social Security: You can see if you are eligible for Social Security on the basis of disability or age by contacting 1-800-772-1213 or logging on to ssa.gov.
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI): This is for people who are disabled, blind, or elderly and who have no or little income. It provides cash assistance for things like clothing, food, and shelter. To see if you qualify and for help filing a claim, visit www.ssa.gov/ssi.
Private Claims for Mesothelioma Financial Support
Besides connecting with the programs listed above, you can also file a private claim to pursue mesothelioma financial assistance.
Private claims are filed against major corporations that knew the dangers of asbestos — the only known cause of this cancer — but hid them from the general public. The average mesothelioma claim awards $1 million or more in compensation and you can begin receiving payments in as little as 90 days.
The Mesothelioma Veterans Center can review your specific situation and help you file a claim. Your claim won't be filed against the military or impact your ability to receive VA benefits. Contact our team now to get started.
Access Mesothelioma Financial Support Options
Mesothelioma patients deserve financial compensation and top resources following a diagnosis. Getting mesothelioma financial support can greatly help you and your family during a battle with cancer.
With financial aid, you can focus on getting mesothelioma treatments to live longer. You won't have to worry about how you'll pay for the treatments or if your family will be financially secure if you pass away.
Learn more about mesothelioma financial support right now in our Free Veterans Packet.
Mesothelioma Financial Support: Common Questions
Does mesothelioma qualify for disability?
Possibly, yes. If your mesothelioma diagnosis makes working impossible, you may qualify for Social Security Disability Income (SSDI). Eligibility is based on your contribution to Social Security, and SSDI is only available to those under 65.
If the asbestos exposure that led to your mesothelioma happened while you were in the military, you might also qualify for VA disability compensation. As of 2024, VA disability awards $3,946.25 a month to married veterans with mesothelioma.
Does everyone with mesothelioma get a settlement?
No, not everyone with mesothelioma gets a settlement.
A mesothelioma diagnosis almost always means the patient was exposed to asbestos. The asbestos companies that hid the risks from the patient and the public should be required to pay for the harm caused.
To get a mesothelioma settlement, you must file a private claim before the statute of limitations expires. Each state has different rules, but you may miss your chance if you don't take action in time, usually within two or three years of being diagnosed with mesothelioma.
Contact us now for a case review. You could begin receiving settlement compensation in as little as 90 days with our team's help.
How do you get mesothelioma compensation?
How you get mesothelioma compensation depends on the type of compensation sought.
VA benefits like disability compensation require filing a claim with the VA.
To get mesothelioma settlement compensation, you'll need to file a private claim against asbestos companies.
Finally, if you're seeking help from drug manufacturers or nonprofit organizations, the best way to get compensation or help is to contact each company or organization directly.
No matter what kind of help you seek, the Mesothelioma Veterans Center can guide you through the process and ensure you get all the assistance possible. Call (877) 450-8973 to talk to our team now.
