Financial Resources

The largest free database of Patient Assistance Programs (PAPs) in the US. Searchable by drug name — instantly shows whether the manufacturer offers a free or reduced-cost program, income thresholds, and how to apply. Also lists disease-specific assistance and state programs.

Comprehensive directory of pharmaceutical company PAPs, government programs, and other assistance resources. Maintained by healthcare professionals. Includes practical guides on how to apply, what documentation is needed, and tips for navigating each program's process.

Pfizer's patient assistance program covering its entire oncology portfolio — including palbociclib (Ibrance), sunitinib (Sutent), axitinib (Inlyta), bosutinib (Bosulif), and others. One application covers all Pfizer cancer drugs.

Merck's assistance program covering pembrolizumab (Keytruda), olaparib (Lynparza — co-developed with AstraZeneca), and other Merck oncology drugs. Keytruda is one of the most expensive cancer drugs (~$200,000/year) — this program can provide it free.

Genentech/Roche's patient assistance program covering bevacizumab (Avastin), trastuzumab (Herceptin), atezolizumab (Tecentriq), pertuzumab (Perjeta), T-DM1 (Kadcyla), T-DXd (Enhertu via AstraZeneca collaboration), and others.

Cipla, India's largest pharmaceutical company, runs patient assistance programs for cancer drugs including imatinib, gefitinib, erlotinib, sorafenib, and others. Programs operate through hospitals and oncologists. The Cipla-Glivec program for CML has provided free imatinib to thousands of Indian patients.

Dr. Reddy's Laboratories offers patient assistance for its oncology portfolio including generic targeted therapies and biosimilars. Programs are available through oncology centres and directly through the company's social responsibility initiatives.

Most major pharmaceutical companies run Patient Assistance Programs in Canada for patients whose provincial drug plan does not cover their medication. These programs bridge the gap while appeals are underway or for drugs not yet listed on provincial formularies.

In the UK, cancer treatment on the NHS is free. However, some drugs are not yet approved by NICE or available in Scotland/Wales/Northern Ireland. Macmillan provides guidance on accessing drugs via Individual Funding Requests (IFRs), the Cancer Drugs Fund (England), and navigating the IFR process in other nations.

Provides free professional case managers who work directly with insurance companies to resolve denials, prior authorisations, and claims disputes on behalf of cancer patients. Their case managers are trained insurance negotiators — they know which arguments work for which insurers.

Most people don't know this: insurance denials are reversible in the majority of cases. Step 1: Request the denial in writing and get the specific reason (ICD/CPT code). Step 2: Have your oncologist write a Letter of Medical Necessity (LMN) specifically addressing the denial reason. Step 3: File an internal appeal within 180 days. Step 4: If denied again, request an Independent Medical Review (IMR). External appeals overturn initial denials ~40% of the time.

Medicare covers most cancer treatment for patients 65+ and those with qualifying disabilities. Key: Medicare Part A covers inpatient hospital. Part B covers outpatient chemo, radiation, doctor visits, immunotherapy. Part D covers oral cancer drugs. Medigap (supplemental) plans cover gaps. Important: SSDI recipients qualify for Medicare after 24 months — except ALS (immediate) and some cancers (certain terminal diagnoses qualify immediately under TERI program).

Medicaid covers cancer patients with low income — eligibility and coverage vary by state. A cancer diagnosis is a qualifying life event for ACA marketplace special enrollment (you don't have to wait for open enrollment). Many states have expanded Medicaid to cover adults up to 138% FPL. Premium tax credits on the marketplace can make insurance nearly free for moderate incomes.

Each Canadian province has its own drug formulary and coverage rules. Ontario: Ontario Drug Benefit (ODB). BC: BC PharmaCare. Alberta: Non-Group Drug Benefit. Quebec: RAMQ. All provinces cover most standard chemotherapy regimens administered in hospital/clinic. Oral cancer drugs and newer targeted therapies vary significantly by province — Ontario's Trillium Drug Program helps with high drug costs relative to income.

In the UK, all cancer treatment on the NHS is free at point of care. Key rights: you have the right to a second opinion, the right to be referred to a specialist within 2 weeks of GP referral (Two-Week Wait pathway), and the right to treatment within 62 days of urgent cancer referral. If you are waiting beyond these targets, you can formally request your case be escalated or request transfer to another NHS trust.

Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY) is the world's largest government-funded health insurance scheme, covering ₹5 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary hospitalisation including cancer surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation. Covers 10.74 crore poor and vulnerable families. No premium payment needed — the government pays.

CancerCare provides limited financial assistance (cash grants) for treatment-related costs including transportation to appointments, home care, childcare, and pain medication. Also provides free professional oncology social work counselling by phone. One of the few organisations that gives direct cash for non-drug costs.

One of the largest independent copay assistance organisations in the US. Provides grants to cover insurance copays, deductibles, and out-of-pocket costs for patients with life-threatening illnesses including cancer. Disease-specific programs — you must be on the drug for which you apply.

Non-profit that funds insurance premium assistance, copays, and deductibles for specific cancer types. Programs open and close based on funding — check regularly. Covers many specific targeted therapy and immunotherapy drugs including specific CAR-T, checkpoint inhibitor, and oral chemo programs.

LLS provides copay assistance specifically for blood cancer patients (leukaemia, lymphoma, myeloma, MDS). Also offers a free Information Specialist service — trained healthcare professionals who explain diagnoses, treatment options, clinical trials, and financial resources specific to blood cancers.

Macmillan provides one-off grants to cancer patients in financial hardship — for household bills, heating, travel to hospital, clothing, and other practical needs. The grant amount is modest (typically £150–£570) but the Macmillan team also provides expert benefits advice to unlock much larger sums through the welfare system.

The Indian Cancer Society provides financial assistance for cancer treatment to patients who cannot afford it. Covers costs of surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, and diagnostic tests at empanelled hospitals. Also operates the 'Cancer Sahayak' programme — trained patient navigators who help families navigate treatment and financial support at major cancer centres.

The Canadian Cancer Society offers a range of practical support including transportation assistance (volunteer driver programs), accommodation near treatment centres (CancerCare lodges), and financial navigation services that help patients claim all provincial and federal benefits they are entitled to.

Participating in a clinical trial means the experimental treatment is free — sometimes including travel, accommodation, and monitoring costs. Many trials also pay a participation stipend. For patients with advanced cancer who have exhausted standard options, trials may be the only path to cutting-edge therapies. Trials are available worldwide, not just at major cancer centres.

Federal monthly cash benefit for Americans with cancer who cannot work. Cancer patients may qualify under the Compassionate Allowances (CAL) program — certain cancers (pancreatic, GBM, stage IV metastatic cancers) are automatically approved within days rather than the usual 3–6 month wait. SSDI recipients qualify for Medicare after 24 months.

India's central government fund for patients suffering from major life-threatening diseases (including cancer) who are below the poverty line and need treatment at government hospitals. Provides financial assistance up to ₹15 lakh for specific treatments at Central Government Hospitals (AIIMS, PGIMER, etc.).

PIP provides tax-free cash payments to UK adults with long-term physical or mental health conditions, including cancer, that affect daily living or mobility. Cancer patients often qualify for enhanced rates. Note: cancer patients receiving active treatment (chemotherapy, radiation, surgery) can claim ESA (Employment Support Allowance) immediately without a waiting period.

Canada's EI Sickness Benefits provide up to 26 weeks of income replacement (55% of earnings, up to ~$668/week in 2024) for Canadians who cannot work due to illness including cancer. If caregiving, the EI Compassionate Care benefit provides an additional 26 weeks.

Tata Memorial Hospital (TMH) in Mumbai is India's premier cancer hospital. A significant portion of treatment at TMH is free or heavily subsidised based on income. The hospital has a 'free-bed' system — patients below a means-tested threshold receive free inpatient treatment. Over 70% of patients at TMH receive free or subsidised care.

Most non-profit US hospitals are legally required to have charity care programs — many patients don't know these exist. Hospitals can write off 100% of bills for uninsured patients below 200–300% FPL, and provide significant discounts up to 400% FPL. You can apply even after receiving a bill — retroactively. Ask at the hospital billing department specifically for 'charity care' or 'financial assistance application.'

GoodRx provides free coupons that can reduce the price of generic cancer drugs (many chemotherapy drugs are now off-patent) by 60–80% at retail pharmacies. Mark Cuban's Cost Plus Drugs (costplusdrugs.com) offers generic drugs at manufacturer cost + 15% markup — some generic cancer drugs for pennies per pill vs hundreds of dollars retail.

Many cancer drugs are now available as generics or biosimilars at a fraction of the brand price. Key examples: imatinib (Gleevec) — generic available, reduces cost from $9,000/month to ~$50–200; bevacizumab biosimilars; trastuzumab biosimilars; rituximab biosimilars. India is the world's largest generic oncology drug manufacturer — Indian generics are exported globally.

Federal law giving eligible US employees up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave per year for serious health conditions including cancer. Your employer must hold your position (or an equivalent one) and maintain your health insurance during leave. FMLA covers your own illness and caring for a seriously ill spouse, child, or parent. Intermittent FMLA allows you to take leave in blocks (e.g., chemo days) rather than all at once.

Monthly taxable benefit for Canadians with a severe and prolonged disability (including cancer) who have contributed sufficiently to CPP. Cancer patients with advanced or aggressive disease often qualify. Average benefit ~$1,100/month (2024). Children of CPP-D recipients also qualify for a children's benefit.

ESA provides income to UK residents who cannot work due to illness or disability including cancer. Crucially: cancer patients undergoing active treatment (chemo, radiation, surgery, or in a period of acute illness) are placed in the 'support group' immediately — meaning they receive the higher rate and do not have to attend Work Capability Assessments. This is a critical protection most UK cancer patients don't know about.

GoFundMe is the world's largest crowdfunding platform and processes more medical fundraising campaigns than any other service. Cancer campaigns are consistently among the highest-funded categories. The platform charges no platform fee (only a payment processing fee of ~2.9% + $0.30 per donation). Funds are paid directly to a bank account and can be withdrawn at any time. GoFundMe also has a dedicated 'GoFundMe Certified Charity' program for verified non-profits. Cancer patients use it to raise money for treatment costs, experimental therapies, travel to specialists, living expenses during treatment, and alternative treatments like metabolic protocols.

Milaap is India's largest and most trusted crowdfunding platform for medical emergencies. It specialises in cancer treatment fundraising and has raised over ₹1,000 crore for medical campaigns. Milaap has a dedicated team that helps patients create compelling campaigns, verifies medical documents for donor trust, and promotes high-need campaigns on its platform. Withdrawals are available in INR directly to Indian bank accounts. Milaap also runs its own 'Milaap Emergency Fund' for urgent cases.

Ketto is one of India's top medical crowdfunding platforms, with a strong focus on verified health campaigns. Ketto partners with several major hospitals including Tata Memorial, which allows campaigns to be co-branded with the hospital's verification — dramatically improving donor trust. Ketto's 'SIP (Social Impact Plan)' allows supporters to make recurring monthly donations to a campaign. They also have a dedicated campaign manager service for cancer cases.

ImpactGuru is a leading Indian crowdfunding platform with a specific strength in international reach — it processes donations in USD, GBP, SGD, and AUD as well as INR, making it particularly useful for Indian patients with diaspora networks abroad. It partners with 100+ hospitals across India and has raised over ₹1,500 crore for health campaigns. ImpactGuru offers 'zero platform fee' campaigns and 24/7 fundraising support.

JustGiving is the UK's most established fundraising platform and processes billions in charitable donations globally. It has strong Gift Aid integration — UK taxpayers can increase the value of their donation by 25% at no cost to them through the Gift Aid scheme. JustGiving is particularly powerful for cancer patients fundraising through challenge events (marathons, skydives, etc.) alongside personal campaigns.

Many cancer patients pursuing metabolic therapies (ketogenic diet, fasting protocols, repurposed drug stacks, high-dose supplements, or integrative oncology) face costs not covered by insurance or government programs — including specialised food, supplements, functional medicine consultations, and out-of-pocket integrative treatments. Crowdfunding platforms like GoFundMe, Milaap, and Ketto can raise money for these costs alongside conventional treatment expenses. Campaigns are most successful when the story is honest and specific about what the funds will cover.

GiveSendGo is a faith-based crowdfunding platform popular in the USA, particularly among religious communities. It charges no platform fee (only standard payment processing) and has a strong community of donors motivated by faith and compassion. Cancer campaigns on GiveSendGo frequently reach faith community networks — churches, prayer groups, and religious organisations — that may not engage as strongly on mainstream platforms.