Caring for yourself or a loved one afflicted with multiple myeloma can lead to many questions related to cost. To help ease the burden, the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) has created a booklet to educate cancer patients on the financial aspects of treatment.

The patient guide breaks down the costs in cancer care, provides a comprehensive list of questions to ask doctors, lists organizations that provide financial assistance, and also gives a checklist to help organize the process.

The booklet also brings to light the many hidden costs associated with cancer care above the cost of treatment. Generally, transportation costs are not factored into expenses. Also, living expenses can increase when additional support such as child care is needed.

ASCO recommends asking questions to address financial concerns. Talking to a doctor is a good start. Insurance companies can also provide specific information regarding health care coverage.

Patients should inquire about the prescription co-pay, treatment scheduling, and even legal issues. The list of questions provided by ASCO is thorough and provides patients with a guideline for financial considerations when selecting a treatment.

Additionally, the booklet contains a list of resources for financial assistance. Patients can contact national service organizations, charities for travel and housing aid, and agencies for medical treatment cost relief.

The guide also recommends patients keep all paperwork, such as laboratory tests results and insurance information, organized in a filing system. ASCO also mentions asking the insurance company for a case manager to ease communication.

The patient guide can be found at Cancer.net, an informational site developed by members of ASCO.