Insurance & Financial Resources

Cancer can impose a heavy financial burden on patients and their families. Our goal is to help you understand the insurance and billing process at Swedish Cancer Institute.

Coordination of Insurance Benefits

The Swedish Cancer Institute has financial counselors on staff to help you sort out insurance issues. These counselors will work with your insurance company to verify benefits, coordinate pre-certification or pre-authorization of care if necessary, and coordinate all of this with the medical center’s billing services.

Medicaid

Medicaid is a jointly funded, federal/state health-insurance program for people who qualify for financial assistance for medical expenses.  Applications for Medicaid are available from the oncology social workers. To reach an oncology social worker, call 206-386-3228.

Medicare

Medicare is a federal health-insurance program for people who are over 65 — or who are under 65 and disabled. For eligible patients, Medicare coverage may include benefits for treatment, outpatient care, inpatient care, medical equipment, home care, hospice services and skilled nursing care.

Our oncology social workers can assist you with coordinating Medigap and prescription plans. To reach an oncology social worker, call 206-386-3228.

Financial Counseling

Swedish also has various funds available through its charitable foundation, which provides financial assistance to cancer patients and their families. In addition, community and national organizations may be able to help.

Navigating through the maze of programs is daunting. Our oncology social workers can help you sort out your financial concerns, and advocate for benefits, if you are eligible.

To reach an oncology social worker, call 206-386-3228.

Cancer Podcast
Listen to Financial Aspects of Cancer

Resources for Breast and Gynecologic Cancer Patients

Medical Assistance

COBRA
Hospital Support Financial Assistance
Medicare
Medicaid

Income Support

Leukemia and Lymphoma Society
General Assistance for the Unemployable
Social Security Supplemental Security Income
Social Security Disability Income

Insurance Support

SHIBA: Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisors
Washington State Basic Health Insurance Program

Medication Assistance

Swedish Cancer Institute
The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society
The Partnership for Prescription 
Washington State Medicaid Programs

Supportive Service

American Cancer Society
The Brain Tumor Society
AvonCares Program for Medically Underserved Women
Low Income Home Energy Assistance
Senior Services
Northwest Hope and Healing Foundations (Breast Cancer)
Swedish Patient Assistance

Copay Assistance

Leukemia Lymphoma Society
Healthwell Foundation
Patient Advocate Foundation
CancerCare

Transportation

American Cancer Society (Western Washington): Road to Recover
FindARide: Call 425-943-6760, ext. 2 or send an email 
Senior Services of King and Snohomish Counties (over 60 years old)
Learn more about transportation resources ›

Housing/Shelter

Solid Ground (55 years old)
Hope Link (55 years old)
Senior Services of King and Snohomish Counties (over 60 years old)

Food/Nutrition

Solid Ground (55 years old)
Hope Link (55 years old)
Senior Services of King and Snohomish Counties (over 60 years old)

Disability

Social Security Disability