HOME > LIFE WITH CANCER > LOGISTICS : MANAGING THE DETAILS OF YOUR LIFE > FINANCIAL SUPPORTS
Let’s talk about one of life’s biggest stressors: money. During and after a cancer diagnosis, your finances may become a source of anxiety and put pressure on your family relationships. 
During treatment, you or your family’s income may decrease, and your expenses will likely increase. At Dana-Farber we have a variety of support and guidance to offer. The below supports may assist in alleviating this potential burden.
DANA-FARBER SUPPORTS
Financial Coaching Program
Dana-Farber works with the Financial Planning Association of Massachusetts to give patients and their families the opportunity to work with a Certified Financial Planner practitioner at no cost. Financial counselors can help with:
  • Budgeting
  • Credit counseling and debt
  • Future planning
  • Student loan deferment or cancellation
  • Legal matters
  • Taxes

If you are interested in speaking with a Financial Planner, contact the Resource Office at 617-632-3301 or email [email protected]. 

Financial Counseling
Dana-Farber’s Financial Counselors are available to assist patients with insurance coverage questions (including in and out of network status), deposits, price estimates, and MassHealth applications. If you would like to take advantage of this resource, please email [email protected] or call this department directly at 617-582-9820. Additional information can be found by visiting Insurance and Financial Information for Becoming a Patient | Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

Resource Specialists
Dana-Farber patients have the opportunity to work with a resource specialist to coordinate solutions to financial and logistical challenges that cancer patients and their families face. Resource specialists can help with:
  • Local transportation to and from medical appointments that fit your budget
  • Short-term housing accommodations
  • Parking
  • Filling out applications for financial assistance programs for childcare, housekeeping, and groceries
  • Acquiring paperwork necessary for financial assistance applications
  • Food pantry information
  • Fuel assistance programs

If you are interested in connecting with a resource specialist, please contact [email protected] or call this department directly at 617-632-3301.

Financial Assistance Program
Dana-Farber’s Patient Financial Assistance program helps patients who don’t have the ability to pay for their health care. If you think you may have difficulty paying for your medical bills, please start by calling the Patient Billing Solutions team at 617-632-3795. Additional information can be found by visiting Dana-Farber’s Patient Financial Assistance program page.

Patient Assistance Funds
Generously donated patient assistance funds are used to help ease the financial burden of a cancer diagnosis. These funds are available based on financial need. To learn more, please call 617-632-3301. 

EXTERNAL RESOURCES

Ellie Fund
The Ellie Fund provides assistance to breast cancer patients who live in or are receiving treatment in Massachusetts. The services are provided for 3 months for early stage (I-III) breast cancer patients and 6 months for patients living with MBC. All services are tailored to you. The supports that the Ellie Fund can provide include:
  • Grocery Assistance
  • Transportation (i.e. Parking Reimbursement, Gas Gift Cards, Ubers and Lyfts, Cabs)
  • Light Housekeeping
  • Childcare Reimbursement
  • Nutritious, Prepared Meals of Your Choice (selected from a menu)
  • Integrative therapy services​
To apply for Ellie Fund assistance, have an oncology professional fill out an application. ​
Community Servings
Community Servings provides home delivered meals and nutrition services to individuals and families in Massachusetts with critical and chronic illnesses who are unable to shop or cook for themselves. Community Servings understands that every individual and family have different needs in regard to nutrition and food, especially when illness is involved. The meals provided made-from-scratch and tailored to the unique medical and nutritional needs of clients. If you are interested in applying, fill out the application.