4b. Creating a Budget
Some patients find themselves having trouble paying their bills, buying groceries, or purchasing everyday necessities as they did not budget or plan for cancer treatment. A social worker can ease some of the financial stress by helping with the following:
- Creating a list of debts with payment amounts, due dates, and interest rates
- Starting a budget and including the costs of medical treatment
- Helping to make a financial plan
This financial planning can be a powerful tool, and a patient can share their plan with a lender or bill collector to help reduce the risk of collection or other financial burdens.