Navigating the health care system can be confusing, especially when a patient is already overwhelmed with a cancer diagnosis. When additional challenges are added, such as poverty, lack of health insurance, limited access to health care, and language barriers, these challenges may seem insurmountable. Cancer.Net provides information to help patients understand and address these challenges.

Updated information on the Affordable Care Act

ASCO's popular booklet, "Managing the Cost of Cancer Care," now contains more information on the Affordable Care Act, covering health care exchanges and health insurance for clinical trials.

This booklet includes:

• an overview of the financial costs associated with cancer care in the United States and why it's important to discuss the cost with your health care team;
• medical and nonmedical expenses that patients can expect to pay during treatment and recovery;
• an explanation of the Affordable Care Act and what it means for people with cancer;
• a list of questions that patients can ask their health care teams to help guide them through the financial and medical process;
• a list of organizations that offer help to people who have financial challenges;
• tips for organizing financial paperwork; and
• examples to help patients understand and calculate copays and co-insurance.

In addition to new content in "Managing the Cost of Cancer Care," Cancer. Net has also recently added information on how the Affordable Care Act provides coverage for participation in clinical trials. Direct your patients to cancer.net/clinicaltrials to view this resource, which is available in English and Spanish.

The "Managing the Cost of Cancer Care" booklet is also available at cancer.net/managingcostofcare in English and Spanish. Larger quantities can be purchased from the ASCO University® Bookstore at cancer.net/estore. ASCO members receive a 20% discount and free shipping and handling.