This past week someone close to our family was diagnosed with cancer. Where do you start? How do you advise someone — cancer is so big — so many diagnoses, so many treatments, so many different types of insurance and lack of insurance. Working for the American Cancer Society I would advise that they should call the 800-ACS-1234 (800-227-2345) number and our call center is equipped to handle all calls in all situations and can direct you to an answer that meets your needs at the time. They are amazing. I have visited the National Call Center 3 times in my 15 years to see the training, the Quitline and how many calls they handle 365 days / 24 hours a day. The other ultimate resource for answers is www.cancer.org which has just been changed for easier navigation and updated — these are resources for everyone, all the time and are so phenomenal — you need to see it for yourself.
Ask – what type of cancer, what is the diagnosis, the prognosis and be sure that you get the best care. Find out what your insurance allows to be aware of the financial burden and be sure that you get all that is “covered” for your plan and you follow the guidelines that they have set so that you get the maximum benefit without the stress of trying to back track with rebuttals and more paperwork. For someone who never gets sick this was huge for me to understand the process. Call the insurance company, get to know your case worker and nurse if they assign you one. Make sure that they are getting the information they need to be able to move forward, especially when you are trying to make this all happen fast. Keep track of what is approved, denied, and paid. Then keep track of any bills that may come in after. This has been so hard for me — I have a notebook and was real good at first, but keeping it all organized it tough. Be sure that when you go to a doctor “out of plan” that it is approved and if possible have the letter in hand of what from that treatment is approved. It takes the stress out later — believe me. 
