A lung cancer diagnosis can be stressful for many reasons, including its financial effects. You may gain some peace of mind from knowing why costs change, how your insurance works, and which options could help you pay for treatment.

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the most common type of lung cancer. This category primarily includes subtypes of adenosarcomas, squamous cell carcinomas, and large cell carcinomas. NSCLC accounts for up to 85% of all lung cancer diagnoses.

How NSCLC is treated — and how much that treatment costs — largely depends on the cancer’s stage (the extent of its growth and spread). Surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, immunotherapy, and targeted drug therapies are all possible components of an NSCLC treatment plan.

But paying for NSCLC treatment often means more than just managing the costs of therapies and surgery.

Each person’s medical costs for NSCLC treatment can vary, and many factors can affect your cancer care totals.

According to statistics from the National Cancer Institute for 2020, initial care for NSCLC carcinomas costs around $67,000 during the first year of treatment, with about $14,000 for yearly continuing care and as much as $109,000 during the last year of life.

But costs continue to fluctuate, and cancer care costs have increased for many people in recent years.

According to a 2023 study, the average monthly cost for early stage NSCLC surgery and any before-and-after therapies, such as chemotherapy, can range from $3,738 to $5,793 per month.

For NSCLC that is more advanced or metastatic (having spread to distant areas of your body), research indicates that the costs of targeted therapies alone can average $17,300 per month.

Paying for NSCLC treatment can be daunting, but understanding your health insurance coverage, being savvy about cost variations, and identifying all your expenses can help.

Get to know your health insurance

Your health insurance is the biggest factor that may reduce costs when you have a diagnosis of NSCLC. Health insurance offers different levels of medical cost coverage, depending on your plan and its features.

Some health insurance programs, such as health maintenance organizations (HMOs), offer lower premiums and out-of-pocket costs but limit the network of healthcare professionals you can choose from. Other plans, such as preferred provider organizations (PPOs), have higher premiums and out-of-pocket costs but offer more options when selecting covered cancer care.

When navigating costs for NSCLC treatment, you’ll want to be clear on your insurance plan’s details about the following costs:

  • Premium: the monthly or yearly amount you pay to have health insurance
  • Deductible: the amount you must pay out of pocket before insurance benefits kick in
  • Copayment: the fixed amount you pay for each service (such as a doctor’s visit) after meeting your deductible
  • Coinsurance: the percentage of costs you pay for a service after meeting your deductible
  • Out-of-pocket maximum: the most you’ll pay out of pocket for covered services during a coverage period (usually per year) before insurance covers 100% of additional costs

Factor in cost variations

Cancer costs can vary for many reasons, even if your treatment plan has not changed.

For example, factors such as production costs, market competition, and availability can significantly affect drug prices. Facility costs can change as a result of labor needs, clinical policy changes, and outside economic factors.

While you can’t control these types of cost variations, being prepared for them can remove the element of surprise when you see adjustments on your bill. Remember, it’s always OK to call and ask why the price of a treatment has changed.

It’s also OK to shop around. Costs can vary from one facility or doctor to another due to factors such as private or public funding. Doing some research about facility-related cost variations may save you money in the long term.

List all your expenses

The price of NSCLC treatments is a small component of your overall cancer costs. While a 2023 review found that hospitalization costs in lung cancer treatment account for most of the direct medical costs for most people, there are several types of indirect medical costs to consider.

Those hidden or indirect costs can include:

  • lost wages from time off from work
  • new dietary needs
  • home modifications or products, such as ramps or special beds
  • frequent or lengthy transportation for treatment

By creating a list of your treatment costs and the other costs associated with NSCLC, you can plan ahead and work to create a budget that fits your needs.

Your costs for treating NSCLC may be very different from those of someone else with the same diagnosis. Personal factors such as your overall health and system-level factors such as your location all matter.

Personal factors that can affect the cost of NSCLC treatment include:

  • your age
  • any co-occurring conditions, such as heart disease
  • the stage of your NSCLC
  • the genetic and biologic profile of the NSCLC tumor
  • lifestyle factors
  • socioeconomic status
  • personal preferences
  • how consistently you stick to your treatment plan
  • your individual healthcare plan

System-level factors that can influence NSCLC treatment costs include:

  • doctor expertise
  • type of healthcare facility (private versus public or academic)
  • geographical location
  • availability of state-of-the-art technology
  • drug manufacturing costs and availability
  • preferred clinical approach (for example, some doctors may prefer to order more diagnostic imaging than others)
  • government regulations
  • relationship and agreements between hospitals and insurance providers
  • community-level socioeconomic factors

Health insurance isn’t the only way to cover the costs of NSCLC treatment. You can also consider the following options:

  • Prescription assistance programs: Programs such as NeedyMeds can help you cover the costs of prescription medications for NSCLC.
  • Housing assistance programs: Some hotels, such as Extended Stay America, may provide housing or offer discounted rooms for people who are receiving cancer treatment away from home.
  • Transportation assistance: Services such as the American Cancer Society’s Road to Recovery drive patients and families to their cancer treatments.
  • Clinical trials: Clinical trials provide opportunities to gain access to high quality care and some cost coverage by participating in research. You can consider asking your doctor or searching on ClinicalTrials.gov to find trials relevant to NSCLC.
  • Government assistance programs: Programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Meals on Wheels, Supplemental Security Income, and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families can offer general assistance for people with cancer who have a low income and need housing, food, clothing, or other services.

The healthcare facility where you receive your treatments may also offer in-house payment plans or fee adjustments. Cancer care is expensive, and your doctor understands that paying for treatment is a serious concern for many people. Don’t be afraid to ask about your options.

It’s natural to feel overwhelmed about paying for NSCLC treatment. Even in the early stages of NSCLC, treatment can cost thousands of dollars each month. While health insurance will cover some of your costs, coverage varies by policy, and indirect fees and expenses can add to your total.

Being well informed about your insurance coverage, planning ahead for cost variations, and listing all your indirect expenses can help you manage your finances when paying for NSCLC care.

It’s always OK to talk with your doctor about ways to lower your cancer treatment costs.