Mesothelioma Resources

What Resources Are Available For You?

Mesothelioma patients face numerous obstacles that can make life stressful on a regular basis. Facing the reality of a diagnosis or facing the gravity of treatments and a prognosis can take a toll on a patient and their family. There are many support options available to ease the stress that comes with a mesothelioma diagnosis. Patients should take advantage of the available options for financial flexibility and support in fighting mesothelioma.

Here are the four main resources available for mesothelioma patients and their families:

• Legal compensation – Mesothelioma victims can receive compensation to pay for treatments, travel, and other unexpected expenses.
• Veterans support – Those who have served in the US military and have developed mesothelioma after being exposed to asbestos on the job are entitled to special assistance. Our free Veterans Support Guide provides detailed information on getting the help you deserve.
• Insurance – Medical insurance coverage is available to mesothelioma patients through various options, such as Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security.
• Support Organizations – A number of private and non-profit organizations can offer a variety of support and assistance to patients and families. These organizations offer various resources, like mesothelioma support groups and travel assistance programs.

Legal Compensation

Mesothelioma treatments can be very expensive. By filing a mesothelioma legal claim, you can protect your family from unexpected financial struggles and overwhelming expenses. You can also help to provide your family with stability through the different legal options available to mesothelioma patients.

The best law firms represent patients on a contingency basis, which means you are not required to pay anything unless you win your case. If the court rules in your favor, then you, your family and your legal team will be awarded compensation. You and your family will receive the majority of the compensation, while your legal team receives a percentage to compensate them for their legal counsel. Not every law firm is equipped to handle the unique nature of mesothelioma cases.

Mesothelioma Trust Funds

There are over $30 billion dollars in trust funds available to those who were exposed to asbestos. Because the latency period between exposure and the development of mesothelioma is so long, many companies responsible for producing asbestos products have declared bankruptcy.

As a result, the U.S. government has required these companies to set up trust funds for victims of mesothelioma. These trust funds are available to patients harmed by asbestos products.

Emotional Support

The attitude and mindset of a patient and their family may be one of the most important factors in the treatment and recovery process. The late Dr. David Sugarbaker stated, “Sharing a difficult time is often much easier than going it alone.”

There are multiple ways in which patients and their loved ones can receive a listening ear or support as they battle cancer. These include support groups and hospice care.

Support Groups

Support groups are a great way for patients and caregivers to connect with people who are dealing with the same mesothelioma issues. They help patients realize they are not alone and give them the opportunity to learn from other patients who have been through similar treatments. These support groups are available online, in person and over the phone.

Mesothelioma Guide has a page dedicated to support groups for patients. If you are a patient, caregiver or loved one, look for a support group that fits your schedule.

Counseling Services

Counseling services are offered at many hospitals and support organizations to mesothelioma patients. Some hospitals even have support groups specifically for mesothelioma patients. Brigham and Women’s Hospital is an example of this. Others offer support groups to veterans with cancer. A professional counselor is offered as a trained listener and an expert at helping people cope with difficult situations.

Read about Massachusetts General Hospital’s attempt to help mesothelioma patients cope with their diagnosis and treatment.

Hospice Care

Hospice care is an important support option for mesothelioma patients. Hospice is much more than just end-of-life care. Hospice programs provide patients and families with 24-hour nursing care, supportive services, medications, in-home medical equipment and emotional support – including chaplain services. Hospice care usually begins when patients are no longer receiving life preserving treatments, like chemotherapy.

Mesothelioma Guide has a page dedicated to information about hospice care. Read more for guidance.

Veterans Affairs (VA Claims)

Approximately 30% of all mesothelioma patients are veterans due to prolonged asbestos exposure while in the military. The most asbestos-exposed group of people in the USA are veterans. Between the years of 1930 and 1980, millions of service members were exposed.

There are numerous benefits available for United States military veterans. A local VA clinic can provide patients and their families with assistance in receiving the best healthcare available.

The VA understands that mesothelioma is often a result of military service conditions and provides healthcare and disability compensation for those who can prove their condition is service-related.

Our VA accredited claims agent, Carl Jewett, is a retired Navy veteran. He spent his 24-year career as a Lieutenant Commander on a submarine. He is very experienced in the VA filing process and successful in getting patients approved for benefits. Get free help filing a claim with the VA today.

Insurance and Support

Sometimes, it can take a while to receive compensation or benefits from mesothelioma-specific support programs. However, general assistance is more readily available for most people with serious health issues.

Private health insurance is one option with the ability to take a significant amount of financial weight off of a patient’s shoulders. However, some private healthcare plans have many doctor-choice restrictions, limiting the kind of treatments they cover.

HMO and PPO plans require the beneficiary to choose a doctor from a contracted list of physicians. This can limit patients from receiving treatment from the specialist of their choice. Patients should check with their healthcare provider to determine what kind of care is covered under their plan.

Government programs such as Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security are also available for certain individuals, with the option for expedited benefits in some cases. These programs provide assistance to senior citizens, people with disabilities, and those with low incomes. More information about these programs is available at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

Clinical trials are also a key component of mesothelioma treatment, and many insurance providers offer coverage. Visit the clinical trials website at clinicaltrials.gov for details and more information. This page will show you the clinical trials currently recruiting patients, where the trials are being offered and information about previously conducted trials. 

Support Organizations

Many organizations offer information, resources and assistance to patients and families facing a diagnosis of mesothelioma. They may be able to help you and your family cover copayment expenses or cover the costs of travel to see a specialist or receive treatment.

These organizations are dedicated to helping patients and families through providing services, helping with medical costs, and supporting other agencies who are working hard to find new and advanced treatments options:  

American Cancer Society
www.cancer.org

CancerCare
www.cancercare.org

American Society of Clinical Oncology
www.cancer.net

Cancer Support Community
www.cancersupportcommunity.org/

Alliance for Cancer Gene Therapy
www.acgtfoundation.org/

Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation, Inc.
www.curemeso.org

CanCare
www.cancare.org

National Cancer Institute
www.cancer.gov

Cancer Financial Assistance Coalition
www.cancerfac.org

Pacific Meso Center
www.pacificmesocenter.org

Cancer Research Institute
www.cancerresearch.org

Cancer and Careerscancerandcareers@cew.org
www.cancerandcareers.org