The Cancer Insurance Checklist: Your Guide to Shopping for Insurance on the Marketplace/Exchange

As implementation of the health reform law (the Affordable Care Act) continues, individuals that do not have insurance through an employer or government plan like Medicare or Medicaid will be required to purchase insurance on state-based Health Insurance Marketplaces, or Exchanges.   Open enrollment begins October 1st for coverage that will begin as early as January 1, 2014.

Cancer Support Community has participated in a partnership of 19 cancer and advocacy organizations to develop the Cancer Insurance Checklist.
 
CancerInsuranceChecklist.org was designed to provide guidance on the issues that you — as a person with cancer, a history of cancer, or a high risk for cancer —should consider when shopping for insurance.

Specifically, the Checklist arms you with the right questions to ask to be sure you can
evaluate and compare plans’ coverage for cancer-related services and the costs associated with that coverage.  Although you may not need all of the treatments in the Checklist, and there may be other treatments, costs or aspects of your care that you need to consider, the
Checklist is a useful guide to help you find a plan that will meet your needs.

WHEN TO USE THE CHECKLIST:

• If you will be purchasing insurance on your state’s Health Insurance Marketplace/Exchange
• If you have cancer, a history of cancer, or are at risk for cancer 
• When evaluating insurance plans
• When discussing your insurance needs with your Navigator or Marketplace/Exchange representative
• When discussing your cancer care needs with your health care provider

To use the Checklist, simply fill in the 3 worksheets for each insurance plan you are considering. By doing so, you will be able to tell which insurance plan best fits your needs and your budget.

CancerInsuranceChecklist.org also provides helpful links to other resources related to cancer and insurance.

We urge you to use and share this helpful new tool with anyone who may need it.  And if you need any assistance with cancer related issues, please call CSC’s Helpline at 1-888-793-9355.

Reposted from CSC's Headquarters' blog.