While
some patients are intent on traveling wherever their best hope lies
within the United States, anyone considering travel should do
preliminary research since treatment for many cancers is standard and
does not necessitate specialty care, and traveling can add many
stressors.
An
alternative for patients who are physically, logistically, or mentally
unable to travel for treatment is telemedicine—using the telephone and
computer to consult with health professionals outside your area. These
experts can validate the treatment planned by your local team, offer a
second opinion, or recommend a different protocol that your team is
willing to follow. In many cases, oncologists are willing to work
together for your care. If you feel well enough to
travel and have determined that the best care necessitates it, the
National Cancer Institute offers suggestions on selecting the right
facility at www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Therapy/doctor-facility.
Also,
consider a destination based on where your extended family or friends
live. They may be a valuable support network, and in some cases,
provide housing, meals, and transportation to the hospital.
Finding
affordable housing or financial support for distant care becomes an
essential part of the equation. Here are some resources to explore:
> Some states’ Medicaid programs
pay for temporary lodging if a patient has to travel for treatment.
Private insurers also may include travel and lodging benefits. Check
your state’s requirements and review your health insurance coverage.
> The National Association of Hospital Hospitality Houses (www.nahhh.org)
helps patients and their families locate housing around the country.
Make sure you understand all the conditions and policies before leaving
home.
> The American Cancer Society’s Hope Lodges
offer free housing to patients and caregivers in 26 areas with an
average length of stay of six to eight weeks. Accommodations and
eligibility requirements vary by location and include the patient
having a caregiver at least 18 years old with them at all times. To
find a Hope Lodge, call 800-ACS-2345 or visit www.cancer.org.
> Ronald McDonald House Charities provides housing for families of seriously ill children receiving treatment at nearby hospitals. Visit www.rmhc.org for more information.
> Joe’s House (www.joeshouse.org)
is a lodging guide for cancer patients and caregivers. “We now have
over 1,230 places to stay listed on the site in 46 states and over 80
cities,” says Ann W. Calahan, who launched the online resource with her
second husband, Don Calahan, in 2003. Her first husband, Joe Warnecke,
died in 1997 of liposarcoma. While Joe battled the disease for six
years, he and Ann had difficulty finding appropriate accommodations in
unfamiliar cities.
> Hospitality Homes
is a Boston-area program whose volunteers open their living quarters to
patients in need of lodging. A personal reference is required, and
patients must be accompanied by a friend or family member. Call
888-595-4678 or visit www.hosp.org for details.
> The Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation
has established the Mary and Bob Cosentino Travel Grant Program to help
newly diagnosed patients afford the travel and lodging costs to consult
with an expert on the asbestos-related cancer. To apply, call
805-563-8400 or visit www.cureMeso.org.
> The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society
offers supplementary financial assistance for transportation and other
costs to patients in significant financial need through its Patient
Financial Aid program (a Co-Pay Assistance program is also available).
Visit www.leukemia-lymphoma.org for more information.
From CURE Magazine, Vol. 7, No. 3, Fall 2008
