What if the patient does not qualify for Medicaid?

79. What if the patient does not qualify
for Medicaid?

Nonprofit agencies and other community resources can
sometimes provide limited, temporary assistance for
housing, transportation, and other medical expenses not
covered by insurance to qualified individuals. Patients
may be required to complete a financial evaluation. Such
agencies include CancerCare, Inc., the American Cancer
Society, national and local charities (such as the United
Way and Catholic Charities), the Department of Veterans
Affairs for qualified veterans, and your hospital’s
social work department or financial services department
(see the Appendix for contact information). However,
resources are limited and the availability of funds can
change, so contacting these places directly for information
is a good idea. It may be necessary for family members
to pitch in financially as well.

Sometimes patients have no other option but to utilize
their own financial resources, including tapping into
savings, selling property, or converting investments into
cash. Some IRAs (Individual Retirement Accounts)
also have emergency clauses whereby the member can
make early withdrawals of money in hardship situations.
Members can also borrow from their own contributions
at low interest rates before they reach
retirement age. Be sure to understand the penalties for
early withdrawals.