Mesothelioma Support Financial Assistance 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What tax deduction is available to mesothelioma patients for unreimbursed medical expenses?
- 100% of all medical costs can be deducted
- Unreimbursed medical expenses exceeding 7.5% of adjusted gross income can be deducted (Correct answer)
- Only chemotherapy costs qualify for a tax deduction
- Medical expenses are not tax-deductible in the US
Correct answer: Unreimbursed medical expenses exceeding 7.5% of adjusted gross income can be deducted
The IRS allows taxpayers to deduct qualifying unreimbursed medical expenses that exceed 7.5% of their adjusted gross income on Schedule A.
Question 2: What is the 'Extra Help' program related to Medicare Part D for mesothelioma patients?
- A Medicare supplement policy covering non-covered treatments
- A federal subsidy reducing prescription drug costs for low-income Medicare beneficiaries (Correct answer)
- An AARP discount program for cancer medications
- A VA pharmaceutical program for veteran mesothelioma patients
Correct answer: A federal subsidy reducing prescription drug costs for low-income Medicare beneficiaries
The Social Security Administration's Extra Help (Low Income Subsidy) program assists low-income Medicare beneficiaries with premiums, deductibles, and copays for prescription drugs.
Question 3: How can mesothelioma patients benefit from the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA)?
- COBRA provides government-funded health insurance for uninsured workers
- COBRA allows workers who leave employment to temporarily continue their employer health insurance at their own cost (Correct answer)
- COBRA mandates employers to maintain workers' salaries during cancer treatment
- COBRA provides disability payments to workers who can no longer work due to cancer
Correct answer: COBRA allows workers who leave employment to temporarily continue their employer health insurance at their own cost
COBRA lets employees continue their employer-sponsored health insurance for up to 18–36 months after leaving work, which is valuable during cancer treatment.
Question 4: What is the purpose of the 'NeedyMeds' database for mesothelioma patients?
- A database of asbestos exposure sites by location
- A database of patient assistance programs, drug discount programs, and financial aid resources for patients (Correct answer)
- A listing of mesothelioma clinical trials nationwide
- A registry of VA benefits available to veterans with cancer
Correct answer: A database of patient assistance programs, drug discount programs, and financial aid resources for patients
NeedyMeds.org catalogs patient assistance programs, free clinics, and other resources to help patients afford medications and healthcare.
Question 5: What is 'medical debt forgiveness' and how can mesothelioma patients access it?
- A government program erasing all cancer-related debt automatically
- A hospital's financial assistance or charity care program that reduces or eliminates bills for qualifying patients (Correct answer)
- A bankruptcy option that discharges only medical debt
- A private insurance benefit eliminating out-of-pocket costs
Correct answer: A hospital's financial assistance or charity care program that reduces or eliminates bills for qualifying patients
Most nonprofit hospitals have charity care or financial assistance programs that reduce or forgive medical bills for patients who meet income criteria.
Question 6: What is the significance of the 'Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act' (AHERA) for the mesothelioma community?
- It established compensation funds for mesothelioma patients
- It required asbestos inspections and management plans in US schools, reducing future exposure (Correct answer)
- It set OSHA exposure limits for construction workers
- It banned all asbestos imports to the United States
Correct answer: It required asbestos inspections and management plans in US schools, reducing future exposure
AHERA requires US schools to inspect for asbestos and implement management plans, protecting students and staff from future exposure.
Mesothelioma Support Financial Assistance 2
What tax deduction is available to mesothelioma patients for unreimbursed medical expenses?