In this COVID-19 environment, you may find additional challenges as you continue to seek and receive medical treatment. Being very aware of additional resources that have become available is to your advantage.

If you find that either you and/or your spouse have been laid off you may also be losing your insurance coverage. COBRA may be an option, but it is very expensive because you will be paying the full premium. Be aware that you may now be able to apply for insurance coverage through your state marketplace. I would encourage you to do so at your earliest convenience. If you find that you now qualify for Medicaid, make sure you contact Social Security office. They can help answer questions and help you through the process.

Additional co-pay and other assistance are beginning to pop up.

• LLS, Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, lls.org, have small grants $250.00 to help. They also have larger annual grants available for assistance.
• PAN Foundation (www.panapply.org) have average annual copay grants for cancers and rare illnesses up to $5114.00.
• Patient Services Incorporated, (patientservicesinc.org) is another organization that I suggest you reach out to. Applications can be completed online.

Don’t wait until you are in financial crisis mode to reach out for help. If you have any questions or concerns, I would be glad to help.

You can obtain help from Diahanna Vallentine on the www.myelomacoach.org website. Register as a patient as message Diahanna with your questions.