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Already Diagnosed with Cancer? Start Here.

If you or a family member has already been diagnosed, your focus should be on
getting the right care and controlling your out-of-pocket costs.

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✔ Step 1: Know Your Coverage

• Are you on Medicare, Covered California, an employer plan, or Medi-Cal?
• Each type of coverage pays differently for cancer treatment
• Your costs depend on deductibles, networks, and max out-of-pocket limits

✔ Step 2: Estimate Your Real Costs

• Hospital stays, chemotherapy, radiation, and specialists add up quickly
• Even with insurance, many people pay thousands per year
• The most important number: your maximum out-of-pocket

✔ Step 3: Look for Ways to Reduce Costs

• Medi-Cal may help cover costs depending on income
• High medical expenses can reduce or eliminate Medi-Cal Share of Cost
• Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plans can reduce major gaps
• Cancer treatment drugs are often one of the biggest cost drivers

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👉 Need help figuring this out quickly?

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You don’t have to figure this out alone — a quick review can often uncover ways to
reduce your costs or improve your coverage.

 

Under Covered California, cancer is comprehensively covered as part of the “essential health benefits” required by the Affordable Care Act. You cannot be denied coverage, charged higher premiums, or have your benefits capped because of a cancer diagnosis. [1, 2, 3]

Every plan offered through Covered California—regardless of the metal tier (Bronze, Silver, Gold, or Platinum)—must include these services: [2, 4, 5]

• Preventive Screenings: Routine screenings like mammograms, Pap tests, and colorectal cancer screenings are provided at no out-of-pocket cost ($0 copay) when using in-network providers.
• Treatment Services: Plans cover standard medical treatments including chemotherapy (both IV and oral), radiation therapy, surgery, immunotherapy, and hospital stays.
• Diagnostic Care: This includes necessary biopsies, lab work, and imaging such as CT scans, MRIs, and PET scans.
• Clinical Trials: Plans must cover the routine costs associated with participating in approved clinical trials. [2, 6, 7, 8, 9]

While all tiers cover the same services, the amount you pay out-of-pocket varies by plan level: [11, 12, 13]

 

• Platinum & Gold: Highest monthly premiums but lowest costs when you receive care. These plans often have no deductible.
• Silver: Moderate premiums and costs. These are the only plans eligible for “cost-sharing reductions” if your income qualifies.
• Bronze: Lowest monthly premiums but highest costs for treatment. You will likely pay more out-of-pocket for chemotherapy or surgery until you reach your annual out-of-pocket maximum. [12, 13, 14, 15, 16]

• Provider Networks: Before choosing a plan, use the Shop and Compare tool to verify that your preferred oncologists and cancer centers (like City of Hope or UCLA Health) are “in-network”.
• HMO vs. PPO: HMO plans generally require referrals from a primary care doctor and limit you to a specific network. PPO plans offer more flexibility to see specialists or get second opinions outside the immediate network, though often at a higher cost.
• Out-of-Pocket Maximum: For 2024, the maximum any individual will pay for in-network covered services is $9,450 ($18,900 for a family). Once this limit is hit, the insurance pays 100% of covered costs for the rest of the year. [17, 18, 19, 20, 21]

• Medi-Cal: If your income is below 138% of the Federal Poverty Level, you may qualify for Medi-Cal, which offers very low or no-cost cancer treatment.
• BCCTP: The Breast and Cervical Cancer Treatment Program (BCCTP) provides specialized Medi-Cal coverage specifically for those diagnosed with these cancers who meet certain income requirements. [14, 22, 23]

Would you like to search for a specific cancer center to see which Covered California plans they currently accept?

 

 

 

Medi-Cal provides comprehensive coverage for cancer, encompassing the entire continuum of care from early detection and screening to advanced treatment and survivorship. [1, 2]

Medi-Cal covers a wide range of medically necessary cancer services, including: [1, 3]

• Screening and Early Detection: Includes Pap tests, mammograms, colonoscopies, and lung cancer checks.
• Active Treatment: Full coverage for radiation, chemotherapy (IV and oral), surgery, and hospital stays.
• Specialized Diagnostics: Advanced testing like CT scans, MRIs, PET scans, and biomarker testing for advanced metastatic cancers (Stage 3 or 4).
• Additional Rights: Members are entitled to second opinions to ensure the correct therapy course and may participate in experimental treatments and clinical trials. [1, 4, 5, 6, 7]

Certain populations or diagnoses may qualify for specialized Medi-Cal pathways: [8, 9]

 

• Breast and Cervical Cancer Treatment Program (BCCTP): Provides treatment for eligible low-income individuals diagnosed with breast or cervical cancer who need treatment.
• California Children’s Services (CCS): Provides diagnostic and treatment services for children under 21 with eligible medical conditions, including most cancers.
• California Cancer Care Equity Act: Allows members with complex cancers to request a referral to an in-network National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated cancer center or academic center for specialized care. [10, 11, 12, 13, 14]

• Managed Care Referrals: For those in a managed care plan, doctors can provide referrals to oncologists and specialists.
• Support for Appeals: If you believe you are not receiving necessary care, the Health Consumer Alliance offers free assistance and advocacy for Medi-Cal members. [1, 13, 15, 16]

Are you currently enrolled in a specific Medi-Cal Managed Care plan, or are you looking for help with the application process?