Financial help for cancer

Whether the insurance coverage is complete can often only be seen in the event of illness. Of course, it is not possible to insure yourself against everything. This also applies to health insurance companies. In the case of serious illnesses that can be life-shortening, it then becomes clear that not all costs and procedures are borne by the health insurance companies. This is also because insurers adhere to their guidelines and only part of the possible benefits have to be covered by law. This should ensure basic medical care and enable recovery in the event of serious illnesses. However, there are costs that you as a patient have to bear yourself. This applies to procedures that are not yet scientifically recognized, but can also affect follow-up treatment, remedies, aids or travel expenses.

Fundamentals of financial aid

If you are working and in the case of cancer are longer or permanent, securing your livelihood plays a significant role. In the first six weeks, the employer pays for your absence. From the sixth week, the health insurance company pays the costs in the form of sick pay. However, the total is usually only around 70% of the original income. By law, the payment may not exceed 90% of the last net income. This does not apply to you if you are self-employed and have not made an additional agreement with your health insurance company. In the worst case, this can mean that the self-employed do not generate any income. In this case, you are dependent on social benefits and receive the necessary information from the social welfare office. If you are privately insured, you have to make provisions yourself. Appropriate supplementary insurance is possible for this. If the money is not sufficient despite further services, there is the possibility to withdraw money from theRelief Fund of the German Cancer Aid . However, this support is only paid once and is around between 300 and 750 euros. If you are in financial need due to your illness, seek help from the advice centers in good time. There are numerous offers for such debt-free cases, debt relief or debt restructuring. There is also the option of suspending contracts. Therefore, look for a conversation with your contract partners as early as possible and find out more.

Officials during cancer

If you are a civil servant, the provisions apply to you as well as to all other insured persons. This also applies to all other eligible persons. The subsidy covers part of the costs. The remaining sums are to be borne by voluntary health insurance. However, it is not uncommon for such insurance not to cover all costs. Therefore, clarify as soon as possible whether medical trips, rehabilitation measures or aids are taken over. Also clarify with your employer whether you may face early retirement and what your income will then be.

Medicines and cancer costs

As long as you have cancer, you do not pay contributions for the medication you need. However, the prerequisite is that you have been under constant treatment for this disease for at least one year and have already paid at least 1% of your gross income within a calendar year. The health insurance only pays the costs of medication that are approved. They must also be medicinal products that have the necessary approval for the disease. Unconventional means do not have to be taken over, even if the doctor and patient are convinced of its effectiveness. So-called cytostatics are typical for cancer treatment. These are drugs that interfere with cell growth and thus influence tumor growth. They will be taken over by the cash registers.

The regulation of costs can be an additional stressful issue in the event of an illness. This is especially true for special drugs.

Remedies, travel expenses and aids for those insured by law

You need a certificate from your doctor so that you are also exempt from additional costs. This also applies to remedies, travel expenses and aids. Rehabilitation measures are also taken over if you can present a corresponding certificate. However, you have to pay the dentist’s costs yourself, even if the damage to the teeth or gums was caused by the cancer or the treatment. The health insurance only pays for the contractually agreed services. If you have a particular case of hardship, you have the option of a higher co-payment.

Social care insurance for cancer

If you get cancer, you are entitled to advice tailored to you from nursing care insurance in accordance with the Social Code (SGB XI). In such a conversation, clarify:

  • Entitlement and amount of care allowance
  • Care benefits in kind
  • Day and night care
  • Nursing home care

You should also clarify how the costs are covered if relatives take over the care in whole or in part or if the services are taken over entirely by a nursing service. It makes sense that you clarify these questions before you have to use the benefits, even if it is not yet possible to say whether this will be the case. In this way you can calculate what you and your relatives could face. This also relieves the pressure on your environment, which can then concentrate on you if it gets worse.

Follow-up treatment for cancer patients

Follow-up treatment or follow-up rehabilitation is available to almost all patients with cancer. The legal basis for this can be found in the Social Code. The content explains that rehabilitation may be necessary to prevent or reduce a disability. The measure should contribute to recovery, alleviate the consequences and side effects of the disease, but also the treatment. It also serves to prevent late effects. In addition, the measure should put you as a patient back in a position to cope with your everyday life as best as possible without help. It usually starts after the hospital stay.

Apply for a disabled person’s pass

As a cancer patient, you are entitled to a severely handicapped ID. This ID is usually valid for five years and enables you to save further costs, make tax relief and more protection against dismissal at work. You are also entitled to additional vacation days. Radio and television fees are also waived. The supply office or the state office is responsible. You can inquire about the office responsible for you in the community office of your municipality.

CONDITIONS OF USE OF THE SERVICE

The information provided by this means cannot, in any way, replace a direct health care service, nor should it be used for the purpose of establishing a diagnosis, or choosing a treatment in particular cases.
In this service no recommendation will be made, explicitly or implicitly, about drugs, techniques, products, etc … that will be cited for informational purposes only.
The use of this service is carried out under the exclusive responsibility of the users