Many cancer patients face financial concerns. If you have financial concerns, please discuss them with your healthcare team, and they will try to find help. The social worker at the Cancer Centre can connect you to the government services and community organizations that can provide financial help.

What treatment will I have to pay for?
You will not pay for the cancer care provided at the Cancer Centre or the satellite oncology clinics. It is covered by the province’s health insurance.

Do I pay for medications?
• Cancer medications are provided free of charge to patients while they are in the hospital.

• If you are prescribed medications to take at home, you will have to pay for them yourself.

• Some private medical plans will cover the cost, or part of the cost, of medicines taken at home. If you have a private insurance plan, you should call the company to find out what costs are covered. or check with the benefits consultant where you work. You could also ask your pharmacist to check if your private plan covers the medication.

• If you are under the age of 65 and do not have an insurance plan and you (and your family) have a low income, your drug costs may be covered by the Nova Scotia Pharmacare Program. Call toll-free 1-877-330-0323 or online www.nspharmacare.ca

• if you are 65 years of age or older, you are eligible for the Seniors Pharmacare Program of Nova Scotia. If you are a senior and are not already enrolled in Pharmacare, you should consider enrolling as soon as possible. Call toll free 1-800-544-6191 for more information or online www.nspharmacare.ca

• If you have any questions about which costs are covered and which are not, ask your healthcare team for information.

Is there help to get me to my appointments?
If you need help to get to your appointments, please let your healthcare team know, and they will try to find help. The social worker at the Cancer Centre can connect you to the government services and community organizations that can provide help with transportation.

Where can I Stay?
If you cannot travel back and forth to your treatments, you will need a place to stay. There are a number of accommodations near the Cancer Centres. Many offer reduced rates for cancer patients.

If you are being treated at the Nova Scotia Cancer Treatment Centre in Halifax, there are two lodges available for patients and families, Point Pleasant Lodge and The Lodge that Gives.

If you are being treated at the Cape Breton Cancer Centre in Sydney, click here for information.