This video is a recording from a LUNGevity virtual meetup. Each month, we host multiple virtual meetups for those impacted by lung cancer to meet and connect with others who understand them and what they’re going through.
Periodically, we invite an expert to speak on a topic at the beginning of a meetup, with the second half dedicated to questions and conversation. Visit the online calendar to see our virtual meetups and other upcoming events.
For this meetup, we welcomed Zarek Mena, OPN-CG, financial patient navigator, to talk about protecting yourself from financial harm during a lung cancer diagnosis.
Topics covered:
- How to fully understand your insurance
- Your medical bill is not final
- Prescription costs – almost never pay full price
- The conversations most people never have
- Re-budget before you have to
- Resources most people never think to look for
- Grants – money you do not have to pay back
- Making a specific ask for help
At the end of the workshop, Zarek walks us through 10 specific actions that can save money from indirect cancer costs. Using real dollar figures, she shows how someone who takes advantage of half of the listed opportunities could save between $5,000-$10,000 per year.