The Hidden Costs of Cancer: What No One Tells You and How You Can Be Prepared

When we think about cancer, we usually picture medical treatments, chemotherapy, radiation, hospitals, and doctors. But what many families discover too late is that overwhelming costs often happen at home—and most of them aren’t covered by your health insurance.

The Hidden Expenses No One Talks About

• Over-the-counter medications like creams, laxatives, sleep aids, vitamin supplements, and more. These items are often small but essential comforts that help manage symptoms and side effects, and they can vary greatly from person to person depending on the type of cancer, treatment, and individual needs. 

• Prescription medications not covered by insurance or that come with high copays. Most chemotherapy medications are considered specialty drugs, which means they often fall under a separate tier with higher costs. Many health insurance plans have a drug deductible that must be met before the insurance begins paying for these medications at all. Every health insurance company covers some—but not all—chemotherapy and cancer-related medications. Some drugs that work best for your specific type of cancer may not be included in your plan’s formulary. In these cases, your doctor will need to request a special exception. If that exception isn’t approved, you may be forced to pay the full cost out of pocket—sometimes hundreds or even thousands of dollars per prescription. 

• Comfortable clothing for recovering at home: soft robes, seamless t-shirts, special undergarments, pajamas with easy access for ports or IVs.

• Special or sensitive foods recommended by doctors: lactose-free, low-sugar items, liquid formulas, or protein shakes. As your body goes through treatment, your taste preferences and cravings can change drastically. Many patients become sensitive to smells, making foods they once enjoyed suddenly unappetizing. You and your family may also find yourselves relying more on quick, ready-to-eat meals that don’t require cooking strong-smelling foods that could upset your appetite.

• A new mattress or adjustable bed if stairs become too difficult to manage. After surgery or chemotherapy, sleeping comfortably becomes a challenge for many patients. Pain, nausea, and fatigue can make it hard to rest, and climbing stairs may feel impossible during recovery. For some, setting up a bed on the main level of the house becomes a necessity rather than a convenience.

• Durable Medical Equipment (DME) such as wheelchairs, walkers, hospital beds, or portable toilets—often not covered by basic benchmark health plans.

• Wound care supplies like bandages, gauze, mesh wraps, or compression sleeves, especially for patients with lymphedema from cancer treatment.

Real Stories, Real Needs

👩‍👧 Maria, mom of two young kids, had to leave work during chemotherapy. She bought a special bed to sleep on the main floor because she couldn’t make it upstairs. Her insurance didn’t cover the bed or medications that helped ease her side effects.

🧑‍🦳 Don Luis, a 68-year-old active grandpa, was diagnosed with lymphoma. He needed to wrap his arm every day with special bandages to control lymphedema. None of it was covered. He also had to purchase a wheelchair for the days he felt too weak to walk. He paid for it all out of pocket.

👩‍⚕️ Clara, a single mom and nurse, used her cancer plan to cover gas for daily treatments, special groceries, and hiring help at home during recovery.

How a Cancer Plan Can Help

At Utah Avenue Insurance, we offer the CriticalGuard plan, which pays out a lump sum cash benefit upon the first diagnosis of cancer, heart attack, stroke, or other serious illnesses. That money is yours to use however you need—there are no spending restrictions or required explanations. Plus the money is tax free so you can use the full benefit for your needs.

Want to use it for a new bed? You can. Need help at home while you recover? You can do that. Want to take a trip with your family before treatment starts? You can do that too.

Benefits are paid directly to you, tax-free, and you can choose an amount between $5,000 and $100,000.

Peace of Mind Is Priceless

Cancer doesn’t just impact your health. It changes your entire life—and your family’s. Having a financial safety net can mean the difference between recovering with peace or facing years of medical debt.

With a cancer and critical illness plan, you can face the unexpected with dignity, preparation, and security. Better coverage starts here.

Ready to talk with a trusted local agent? At Utah Avenue Insurance, we’re here to help.