Financial & legal issues about cancer

At Aurora Cancer Care, we have financial counselors specifically trained to help you navigate insurance policies, bills and issues related to treatment costs. They can help you understand your rights and access to medical care. Don’t let financial concerns stop you from getting treatment. Turn to us for help.

Federal laws

In March 2010, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act was signed into law. If you have cancer, this new law affects both the cost of and your access to medical care. If you have questions about the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and how it applies to you, our financial counselors are happy to assist. For more information, contact the helpline at 877-732-6334.

The Americans with Disabilities Act is a federal law that prohibits all types of discrimination based on disability. If you have a cancer diagnosis, it provides protection from discrimination in the workplace. It requires eligible employers to make “reasonable accommodations” to allow employees to function on the job and ensures that employers treat all employees equally.

Advance directives

An advance directive lets you make your wishes known about medical treatment. There are three kinds:

• A Medical Power of Attorney appoints someone you know and trust to be your agent. That person can make health care decisions if you are unable to make them for yourself.
• A living will instructs your doctor not to use life support to extend the natural process of dying. This directive will take effect only when you are in the terminal phase of an illness.
• An out-of-hospital do not resuscitate (DNR) Order allows you to refuse life-sustaining treatments when you’re outside the hospital in the terminal phase of your illness.

Aurora Health Care can help you complete the Five Wishes® advance directive. For more information about Five Wishes, to acquire your own Five Wishes document or for assistance in completing your advance directive, please call 888-863-5502 to find an Aurora facilitator in your area.

Treating your cancer, caring for you.

In addition to top-notch medical care, Aurora offers:

• Access to cancer clinical trials
• Cancer nurse navigators
• Cancer counseling program