Managing Finances

Cancer, and the cost of ROS1+ cancer treatments, will likely prompt you to look at your health care plans in a whole new way.

This Quick Guide to Health Insurance, prepared by Triage Cancer, helps you understand insurance plans in easy-to-understand language. There are links to state laws and assistance programs that may apply, and other resources as well. 

Employers also often provide access to Medicare supplement plans. These are typically better than those available on the market. (See About Medicare.) 

American ROS1+ patients can turn to Medicare for coverage for one of two reasons. You can either qualify for Medicare Benefits as part of your SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance) Benefits, or you may be turning 65 years old. Either way, making the switch from private insurance to Medicare can be overwhelming. This Quick Guide to Medicare 2022 breaks down the most essential information about Medicare. 

Additionally, below are some animated videos shared by Triage Cancer.

• When to Enroll in Medicare

• How to Pick a Medicare Plan

• Understanding Medicare Part D

• How to Pay For Medicare

Important ROS1+ patient considerations: 

• Traditional Medicare co-payments for ROS1+ TKI medications are currently set at 5 percent of the cost. This can be prohibitive, as described in this story about a fellow ROS1der.  

• Medicare Advantage plans may seem less expensive, but the copay of your ROS1+ TKI may be higher, and they might not cover consultation with a ROS1+ expert clinician. Be sure to consider both Medicare Advantage plans and traditional Medicare with a Medicare supplement when assessing cost.

• Employers often provide Medicare supplement options for employees and their spouses. Some ROS1+ patients have found that employer-provided plans provide better coverage for ROS1+ TKI drugs than marketplace Medicare supplements.