Viatical Settlement Companies | Financial Resources for Cancer Patients

Financial Help for Cancer Patients is Here


What Can You Expect to Spend Out of Pocket When You Have Cancer?

The cost of cancer treatment may be one of the first worries that crosses someone’s mind when he or she receives a cancer diagnosis. Fears over how to pay—and even if they can pay—for quality care shouldn’t be top of mind for those dealing with life-threatening illnesses but, unfortunately, that is a reality for far too many people. Research has consistently found that cancer patients face serious risk to their financial well-being because of their care. It’s difficult to determine the average cost of cancer treatment—as each person’s insurance, diagnosis and treatment is different—but one study found that patients were paying, on average, 11 percent of their income in out-of-pocket treatment costs. Sixteen percent of those surveyed reported significant financial distress, and that was despite 60 percent of those individuals having health insurance. Where exactly does all the money go? What are the out of pocket costs of cancer treatment?   Co-pays: Visiting doctors and specialists on a regular basis can amass a significant number of office co-pays. Treatment: From pill regimens to chemotherapy, many patients are expected to pay at least part of treatment costs out of pocket. Testing: With high-deductible plans so common these days, the routine testing before, during and after cancer treatment can come with a high price tag. Lifestyle changes: Many patients overlook the lost wages that stem from reduced working hours that are often necessary during and after treatment. Transportation: Getting to and from medical appointments can be costly, as patients often have to enroll in transportation services or rely on rideshare options when loved ones aren’t available. The American Cancer Society’s Costs of... read more

Why Would People Avoid Life Insurance Loans and Credit Programs?


How Expensive Is Cancer?

Just how much does cancer cost? It’s difficult to pinpoint, but what is easy to determine is that cancer can be extremely expensive, even financially toxic for some people. The Cancer Action Network estimates that the 2014 cost of cancer care in the United States was a staggering $87.8 billion, a number shared by patients, employers, insurance companies and public programs. CAN notes it’s difficult to put a price tag on the individual costs of cancer because there is so much variation in treatment methods and insurance options, but out-of-pocket expenses may easily exceed $200,000, according to the organization’s cancer treatment cost statistics. Forbes estimates that the average cost of cancer treatment was equal to about 11 percent of patients’ income in the United States. Where does all the money go? There are a number of things that drive expenses, such as high prescription costs, copays for doctor visits, exorbitant costs of treatments like chemotherapy and hospital fees for surgery. Then there is the indirect, and often unexpected, cost of cancer care. Expenses like childcare, mental-health treatments, transportation to appointments, lost income from reduced working hours and potentially a job loss all add onto the cancer treatment cost, and can significantly overwhelm patients. Financial Help For Cancer Patients Some may be so eager for quick cash that they decide to sell their life insurance policy in what is called a viatical settlement. Such an agreement involves the transfer of a policy to a third party for less than what it is worth, with the policyholder able to use the lump sum proceeds to address his or her immediate financial needs.... read more

Converting Life Insurance Into Cash: What Does This Mean for a Cancer Patient?

When facing mounting debt, some people may begin to explore the best way to convert life insurance into income. This is a challenge frequently encountered by those grappling with a medical emergency, such as cancer. Income for cancer patients is often sorely needed. When someone is undergoing cancer treatments, he or she may not be able to work or may have to work fewer hours, leading to reduced pay, which can make paying necessary bills like mortgage or rent a major roadblock. On top of shifting lifestyle changes, cancer and other medical conditions often come with hefty price tags. From treatment to medication and everything in between, patients facing serious illnesses are also likely facing serious costs. That’s why some searching for ways to generate money for cancer patients may turn to life insurance.  Life insurance is generally considered a way to protect one’s assets and beneficiaries after death, but in some cases, its value can be maximized while a person is still living. Some insurance companies allow for an individual to draw cash advances from the amount they have paid into a policy in case of emergency, such as if he or she is facing a terminal illness. However, the type of policy is key, as such an allowance is typically only used for permanent, or whole, policies. Policyholders can consider converting term to whole life in order to access funding for cancer patients, though that approach can have some drawbacks, such as higher premiums, which can be an obstacle for those already dealing with increased medical costs. Life Credit takes a different approach with loans that allow... read more

What is a Death Benefit Rider?

Life insurance is traditionally understood as helping people plan and prepare for the end of their lives. Many policyholders aim to use the amount of their plan to help beneficiaries pay for things like funeral costs, to settle final arrangements or to help reduce debt once they have passed. However, after the lifelong investment that many sink into a plan, they should be able to use the value whenever they need it and, that’s where a death benefit rider may come in. How Does a Death Benefit Rider Work? A rider functions like an add-on to an insurance plan, allowing the policyholder to opt for certain protections that are customized to his or her particular situation. There are different forms a death benefit rider can take, but many center on giving the individual access to the cash value of his or her insurance plan while he or she is still alive. For instance, an accelerated death benefit generally enables policyholders who have been diagnosed with a terminal illness to draw cash advances against the value of the death benefit. Another option is the enhanced death benefit, which pays out the highest investment gain the policy attained, even if the market value is less. Those with a variable annuity death benefit may be able to attach riders to enable cash advances and a payout that is higher than the minimum. Pros and Cons of Death Benefit Riders Death benefit riders can help policyholders customize a plan that makes sense for them; however, there are some factors to consider. Riders do increase the cost of a plan, which could be a... read more

What is a Viatical Settlement?

If you’re looking to sell your life insurance policy, you have likely encountered the concept of a viatical life settlement. While such a life settlement can provide quick cash, it does so at a cost—and for some, that price may be too high. What is a Viatical Settlement? Weighing the pros and cons of a viatical settlement first comes down to understanding what it is. A viatical settlement involves the sale of a life insurance policy to a third party. This type of life settlement typically occurs when a person is facing a terminal illness and would rather have a lump sum of money from his or her life insurance while still living, as opposed to passing the death benefit down to a beneficiary. This arrangement, also called a senior settlement, usually results in a payment that is higher than the cash value of the policy, yet less than the death benefit. Essentially, the policyholder is compromising on the policy’s value in order to be able to get a rapid payoff. Often, such money may be needed to ease the burden of medical bills, or could even help a person live out his or her final months in comfort. However, a viatical settlement isn’t the only option for those looking to draw value from a life insurance policy. What Other Options Are There? Loans on life insurance can also provide financial assistance to cancer patients and others in need. Such options, however, don’t involve the full surrender of a life insurance policy, but rather a temporary transfer, which means the holder and his or her family can ultimately regain... read more