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Mesothelioma Financial Support

Mesothelioma financial support is often essential when fighting this cancer. Mesothelioma treatments alone can cost over $500,000, which doesn’t include travel costs or basic living expenses. Mesothelioma financial assistance may be available through insurance claims, benefits from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), asbestos trust funds, and legal action.

Updated by: Laura Wright on

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Why Is Mesothelioma Financial Support Important?

A couple meets with an insurance agent

When you’re diagnosed with mesothelioma cancer, your life changes. In addition to receiving potentially challenging cancer treatments, you’ll also have to consider affording your medical care costs. In light of this, financial aid can help take some of the burdens off you and your loved ones.

Mesothelioma financial assistance can:

  • Cover the high costs of medical treatment, including travel bills
  • Compensate for lost wages if you and your loved ones can’t work
  • Pay for basic living expenses, including car payments, utilities, and rent
  • Protect your family’s future if you pass away

Understanding your financial aid options for mesothelioma can help you prepare for the expected and unexpected expenses that may pop up as you seek treatment.

Mesothelioma Financial Assistance Options

Mesothelioma Insurance Claims

Medicare, Medicaid, and private health insurance plans can help you afford mesothelioma treatment.

Before seeking treatment, check with your health insurance provider to help you understand what is covered in your plan and how much you should expect in co-pays. There should be no gaps in coverage, as this could lead to out-of-pocket costs.

Keep track of medical bills, insurance claims, and prescription records to resolve possible billing errors or disputes.

Housing and Travel Grants

Even if your insurance plan covers treatments, you may have to travel to access them if there is no mesothelioma specialist close to where you live. Out-of-pocket travel expenses can add up quickly, but you may be able to get reimbursed through grants.

Mesothelioma travel grants can cover:

  • Fares for cabs, taxis, and Uber/Lyft rides
  • Gas costs
  • Hotel stays for you and your family
  • Ticket costs for travel by airplane, bus, or train

Cancer organizations like the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation (Meso Foundation) provide travel grants for qualifying applicants. Additionally, your travel expenses may be reimbursed if you’re seeking a mesothelioma treatment option from a VA doctor.

To ensure you get the best value from a travel grant, check to see what expenses will be covered before applying.

VA Benefits

If you are a veteran with mesothelioma, you can pursue financial help from the VA. You may be able to receive free or low-cost mesothelioma cancer care through the VA Health Care System.

Other VA benefits that provide financial aid include:

To access VA benefits, you must show that you were exposed to asbestos during military service and that this caused you to develop mesothelioma later in life.

Asbestos Trust Funds

The U.S. court system forced asbestos product manufacturers who avoided lawsuits by filing for bankruptcy to deposit money in special trusts so that current and future victims of their asbestos exposure could receive compensation.

Over $30 billion has been set aside in asbestos trust funds. If you qualify, you can receive a portion of this money.

Get your Free Mesothelioma Survivors Guide and see how 7 patients were able to afford treatments that helped them become survivors.

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Mesothelioma Lawsuits

If an asbestos company does not have a trust fund, you may be able to file a lawsuit against it. Most mesothelioma lawsuits are settled out of court for around $1 million to $1.4 million, allowing you to receive compensation without an in-person trial.

Working with a mesothelioma lawyer can help eliminate the hassle of filing a lawsuit. Your lawyer will handle most of the work that comes with the case while you focus on your health and well-being.

“Many of my patients who have settlements have said to me, ‘That’s my bankroll. That is to make sure that whatever it is I need, I can afford to do to take care of myself.’”

- Mary Hesdorffer, Former Executive Director of the Meso Foundation (Retired in 2021)

Mesothelioma Financial Aid Organizations

Some of the world’s leading cancer organizations provide financial aid to those with mesothelioma and other types of cancer.

Groups that offer mesothelioma financial assistance include:

  • American Cancer Society
  • American Society of Clinical Oncology
  • CanCare
  • Cancer and Careers
  • Cancer Care
  • Cancer Financial Assistance Coalition
  • Cancer Research Institute
  • Cancer Support Community
  • Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation
  • National Cancer Institute
  • Pacific Mesothelioma Center

Reach out to these organizations to learn if you can get mesothelioma financial support during your cancer fight. You can also connect with a medical social worker to find local groups that offer financial aid.

Steps To Receive Mesothelioma Financial Assistance

You shouldn’t have to invest much time and energy into seeking financial help during your cancer battle.

Below, we’ve laid out the basic steps of pursuing financial aid after a mesothelioma diagnosis. If you have additional questions or would like to begin this process, our team of Patient Advocates is available 24/7 to provide information and support.

1. Contact Our Team

When you reach out to us, we can help determine your eligibility for mesothelioma financial assistance through a lawsuit, asbestos trust, or the VA. There is no cost to contact our team.

2. We Help You Build Your Case

After you call, our legal team will evaluate the specifics of your claim and start building your case. We will then file the claim on your behalf, ensuring that you and your family won’t be burdened during this process.

3. You Get Financial Aid

After the claim is filed, you will be updated as financial aid is awarded. You’ll likely start to receive compensation within 90 days. Additionally, you may get money from multiple sources, such as asbestos trust funds and the VA, depending on the nature of your case.

Get a Free Legal Consultation with top mesothelioma law firm Simmons Hanly Conroy.

Access Mesothelioma Financial Assistance

If you or someone you love has mesothelioma, you shouldn’t worry about medical bills and other expenses. Mesothelioma financial assistance can help cover your care costs, keeping you and your family economically secure for years to come.

Request your Free Mesothelioma Survivors Guide and see how 7 mesothelioma patients obtained the financial assistance that helped them become survivors.

Mesothelioma Financial Support FAQs

How much does it cost to treat mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma treatment costs vary depending on the type of treatment and various other factors.

Treatments can cost more than $400,000. That number does not include other expenses, such as traveling to a cancer center if one isn’t located near you or paying for hotel stays.

How much are mesothelioma settlements?

Most mesothelioma settlements fall in the range of $1 million to $1.4 million.

This money allows mesothelioma victims to not only get treatment but take care of their family at this stressful and uncertain time.

Written by:

Lead Editor

Laura Wright is a journalist and content strategist with more than 15 years of professional experience. She attended college at the University of Florida, graduating magna cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in journalism in 2008. Her writing has been featured in The Gainesville Sun and other regional publications throughout Florida.

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References
  1. American Cancer Society. “Things to Know About the Cost of Your Cancer Treatment.” Retrieved from: https://www.cancer.org/treatment/finding-and-paying-for-treatment/managing-costs/the-cost-of-cancer-treatment.html. Accessed on December 22, 2022.

  2. Cancer Action Network. “The Costs of Cancer. Addressing Patient Costs.” Retrieved from https://www.fightcancer.org/sites/default/files/Costs%20of%20Cancer%20-%20Final%20Web.pdf. Accessed on December 22, 2022.

  3. Mayo Clinic. “Mesothelioma. Diagnosis & Treatment.” Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/mesothelioma/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20375028. Accessed on December 22, 2022.

  4. National Center for Biotechnology Information. “Costs for Medical Care for Mesothelioma.” Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6637828/. Accessed on December 22, 2022.

  5. United States Government Accountability Office. “Asbestos Injury Compensation: The Role and Administration of Asbestos Trusts.” Retrieved from: http://www.gao.gov/assets/590/585380.pdf. Accessed on December 22, 2022.

Speak to a Patient Advocate About Your Options

If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, there is hope. Contact us to learn more about mesothelioma and your treatment options.

  • Latest treatment information
  • Financial assistance for treatment
  • VA benefits help

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