A multiple myeloma diagnosis brings a whirlwind of new information, treatment decisions, and emotional challenges. On top of it all, the financial side of cancer care can feel overwhelming. The good news is you don’t have to face it alone. A wide range of resources exists to help ease the burden. One example is SIRUM, a nonprofit that redistributes donated medications to patients in need.
This guide breaks down the key types of financial assistance for multiple myeloma, from covering expensive medications to help with everyday living costs. Understanding these options is the first step toward building a strong support system so you can focus on your health.
When you’re facing a serious illness, independent nonprofit organizations can be a critical lifeline. Charitable foundations provide aid to help patients pay for medical expenses that are not fully covered by insurance. These groups often focus on out-of-pocket costs like copays, deductibles, and prescriptions.
Major charities like the Patient Access Network (PAN) Foundation and the HealthWell Foundation operate disease-specific funds, including those for cancers like multiple myeloma. Since 2004, the PAN Foundation has provided over $4 billion in assistance to more than one million underinsured patients. These programs can significantly reduce your cost burden, often covering thousands of dollars each year. They are an especially important source of financial assistance for multiple myeloma patients with Medicare, who cannot use drug manufacturer coupons and must rely on independent charities for copay relief.
Even with good insurance, your share of the cost for myeloma treatments can be substantial. A copayment is a flat fee you pay, while coinsurance is a percentage of the total cost. For expensive specialty drugs used in myeloma therapy, a 20% coinsurance can amount to thousands of dollars.
Copay assistance programs step in to reduce or eliminate these charges. This help comes from two main sources:
Drug Manufacturers: Pharmaceutical companies often provide copay cards or coupons for their brand-name drugs, which can lower your monthly cost dramatically. This type of support makes a huge difference in whether patients can stick to their treatment plan. One analysis found that cancer patients with copay aid had an 88% lower risk of abandoning their first prescription.
Charitable Foundations: For Medicare patients and others who can’t use manufacturer coupons, independent charities offer grants to cover copays and coinsurance.
For patients who are uninsured or underinsured, a Manufacturer Patient Assistance Program, often called a PAP, can be a game-changer. These programs are run by pharmaceutical companies and provide their brand-name medications, for free or at a very low cost, to those who qualify based on income.
Given the high cost of many modern multiple myeloma treatments, PAPs are an essential form of financial assistance for multiple myeloma. These programs serve as a vital safety net, ensuring that you can access necessary therapies even if your insurance will not cover them or if you have no insurance at all. You can search for PAPs for your specific medications online or ask your oncologist’s office or a hospital social worker for help with the application process. If your treatment plan changes and you have sealed, unexpired oncology medications left over, you can help other patients by donating them through SIRUM’s oncology program.
Beyond PAPs, a broad range of medication assistance and drug discount programs exist to make prescriptions more affordable. These resources are particularly helpful for managing supportive care medications or if you don’t qualify for a manufacturer’s program.
Options include:
Prescription Discount Cards: Services like GoodRx and SingleCare negotiate lower cash prices at pharmacies, which can sometimes be cheaper than using your insurance.
Nonprofit Pharmacies: Some nonprofit organizations use donated medications to fill prescriptions at an extremely low cost. For example, the nonprofit pharmacy Good Pill delivers 90‑day prescriptions for a small administrative fee by redistributing donated medicines. Learn more about how to receive medicine through SIRUM’s network.
These programs are crucial because medication affordability is a widespread issue. In 2021, an estimated 9.2 million adults did not take their medication as prescribed due to cost.
Keeping your health insurance active is the foundation of managing healthcare costs. Insurance premium assistance helps cover the monthly payments required to maintain your policy. The most common form is the Advance Premium Tax Credits (APTC) available for plans on the Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplace.
These subsidies are based on your income and can lower your monthly premium significantly. Thanks to recent enhancements, these credits have reduced premium payments by an average of 44% for those receiving help. Some states and charitable organizations also offer programs to help patients, including those with multiple myeloma, pay their premiums so they don’t lose coverage during treatment.
For many people battling multiple myeloma, Medicare or Medicaid is their primary insurance. These public programs are incredibly valuable but can be very complex to navigate. Getting help from a coverage navigator can ensure you are enrolled in the right plan and are taking advantage of all available benefits.
Navigators can help you:
Choose the most cost-effective Medicare Part D plan for your prescription drugs.
Apply for programs like Extra Help or Medicare Savings Programs to cover premiums and copays.
Understand and enroll in Medicaid if you qualify based on your income.
Free counseling is available through State Health Insurance Assistance Programs (SHIPs), which offer unbiased, one-on-one guidance for Medicare beneficiaries. Proper navigation is a key part of financial assistance for multiple myeloma, as choosing the wrong plan can cost you thousands of extra dollars per year.
If multiple myeloma or its treatment prevents you from working, you may be eligible for federal disability benefits. There are two main programs:
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI): An insurance program for those who have a sufficient work history and have paid Social Security taxes.
Supplemental Security Income (SSI): A needs-based program for individuals with very low income and assets, regardless of work history.
Securing these benefits provides a source of income and also unlocks health coverage. SSDI recipients become eligible for Medicare after a 24-month waiting period, and SSI eligibility typically comes with Medicaid. This is critical, as adults with disabilities are nearly three times more likely than those without disabilities to skip medication due to cost.
A cancer diagnosis impacts more than just your medical bills. It can affect your ability to work and cover basic living costs. Patient aid grants provide financial help for these nonmedical expenses, such as rent, utilities, groceries, and childcare.
These grants are usually offered by disease-specific foundations (including blood cancer organizations) or hospital social service programs. While the grants are often modest, perhaps a few hundred dollars, they can provide critical relief and help your family stay financially stable during a difficult time. This type of financial assistance for multiple myeloma addresses the financial toxicity that extends beyond the clinic.
Sometimes a financial crisis happens suddenly. An urgent need grant, also called an emergency grant, is designed for these situations – providing rapid financial aid to address an immediate, critical expense that cannot wait.
These grants are meant to be processed quickly to solve a short-term problem before it gets worse. Examples include funding for last-minute travel to a treatment center, covering a utility bill to prevent a shutoff, or replacing lost income from taking unpaid time off work. Many cancer support organizations and hospital foundations maintain small emergency funds. Always ask your social worker if this type of financial assistance for multiple myeloma is available.
Getting to and from your medical appointments can become a significant challenge, especially if you require frequent visits for chemotherapy or infusions. Transportation assistance programs help ensure you never miss an appointment due to a lack of reliable or affordable travel.
This help can include:
Volunteer driver programs, like the American Cancer Society’s Road To Recovery.
Free or subsidized rides through vans, shuttles, or rideshare services.
Mileage reimbursement for gas.
Non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT) for Medicaid recipients.
Services that deliver medications right to your door, like the nonprofit Good Pill pharmacy powered by SIRUM, can also reduce the transportation burden by eliminating extra trips to the pharmacy (see medication delivery resources for options).
Specialized multiple myeloma treatments, like a stem cell transplant or CAR T-cell therapy, may require you to travel to a cancer center far from home. Lodging and short-term housing assistance programs provide free or low-cost accommodation for patients and their families during treatment.
Well-known programs like the American Cancer Society’s Hope Lodge offer free housing for patients. Many hospitals also have their own hospitality houses or arrangements with local hotels for discounted medical rates. This support removes the massive financial burden of paying for a hotel for weeks or months, making it possible to access the best care, no matter where you live.
Even after insurance, you may be left with large medical bills from your hospital or cancer center. Don’t ignore them. Most healthcare providers offer payment plans and billing assistance. You can often work with the billing department to set up an interest-free installment plan, allowing you to pay a large bill in smaller, manageable amounts over time.
Additionally, nonprofit hospitals are required to have financial assistance or “charity care” policies. If your income is below a certain level, the hospital may be able to reduce your bill or forgive it entirely. You have to be proactive and ask for this help. Speaking with a hospital financial counselor is a great first step in managing your bills and exploring this type of financial assistance for multiple myeloma.
There isn’t one “best” source. A comprehensive approach is most effective. Start by speaking with a social worker or financial navigator at your cancer center. They can connect you with multiple resources, including charitable foundations, copay assistance, and manufacturer programs that fit your specific situation.
Start with your oncologist’s office, which can help you apply for manufacturer patient assistance programs (PAPs) or copay cards. Also, look into charitable foundations like the PAN Foundation. Finally, nonprofit medication programs can provide another layer of support for your generic medications. To see which donated medications may be available, review Good Pill’s stock page.
Yes. Many cancer-focused nonprofits and community organizations offer patient aid grants to help with non-medical costs like rent, utilities, and groceries. Ask your social worker for a list of organizations that provide this type of financial assistance for multiple myeloma.
Absolutely. Programs like the American Cancer Society’s Hope Lodge offer free lodging, and their Road To Recovery program provides rides. Your hospital’s social work department can also connect you with local resources for transportation and discounted housing.
A prescription assistance program (PAP) is run by a pharmaceutical company and provides the manufacturer’s own drugs for free or at a low cost. A charitable foundation is an independent nonprofit that provides grants to help patients with out-of-pocket costs (like copays or premiums) for various treatments and services, not just one company’s drug.
Contact the billing department or a financial counselor at the hospital where you received care. Be honest about your situation. Ask about applying for the hospital’s financial assistance (charity care) program and setting up an affordable, interest‑free payment plan. Acting quickly is better than letting the bills go to collections. For other low‑cost medication options, visit SIRUM’s resources for individuals.
