MEDFORD, Ore. – Cancer treatment can cost more than a person’s life savings, and it’s the little things that add up.
“Right now I’m just under in a year of treatment, just under $1 million mark for what everything cost,” breast cancer survivor, and Sanctuary One Executive Director Megan Flowers said.
That was just for her medical costs.
She didn’t have to pay that, thanks to her insurance. But the small costs add up quickly.
“The money – that was just for the medical,” Flowers said. “So on top of your prescriptions that you get all your co-pays and your deductibles, and everything else, and the amount that you have to do for your pet scan in all different things that are essential.”
An insurance specialist at Providence Medford Medical Center says patients can bet on paying their out of pocket maximum, depending on what a doctor recommends for treatment.
“If patients know their out-of-pocket maximum on their insurance policy, that is the standard for everyone across the board,” Cynthia Moss, insurance specialist at Providence, said.
Flowers credits her friends and colleagues for helping her through her journey.
“It’s those little things, like people helping with meals to put the freezer; people bought me wonderful gift cards for meals when I was going through my surgery,” Flowers said. “These little pieces made a big difference because it does add up.”
Both Providence Medford Medical Center and Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center offer finaical programs.
