Cancer Treatment Cost Calculator
Estimate the total financial impact of cancer treatment on your savings, including out-of-pocket medical costs, insurance coverage, lost income, and the long-term effect on your retirement.
Cancer & Treatment Details
Select the cancer type to contextualize cost estimates and insights.
Treatment Costs (Total Estimated)
Insurance Coverage
Medicare, private employer/marketplace insurance, or uninsured.
Additional Costs During Treatment
Your Retirement Savings
Financial Resilience Score
Your retirement savings can absorb these treatment costs with proper planning. Insurance coverage and savings provide a solid financial cushion.
Total Out-of-Pocket
$89,700
Retirement Impact
$30,656
Total Treatment Cost
$114,000
gross medical costs
Insurance Covers
$106,000
93% of treatment
Your Total Cost
$89,700
all out-of-pocket expenses
Monthly Cost (Avg)
$5,267
during treatment
Insurance Coverage vs. Out-of-Pocket
How treatment costs are split between your insurer and you
Total
$169,200
Insurance Pays
63%$106,000/yr
Out-of-Pocket Medical
5%$8,000/yr
Lost Income
21%$36,000/yr
Other Costs
11%$19,200/yr
Retirement Savings: With vs. Without Treatment Costs
Long-term impact of cancer treatment on your retirement trajectory
Cost Breakdown by Category
Where your cancer treatment dollars go
Total
$194,500
Surgery
18%$35,000/yr
Chemotherapy
25%$48,000/yr
Radiation
13%$25,000/yr
Prescriptions
3%$6,000/yr
Lost Income
19%$36,000/yr
Travel & Lodging
3%$6,000/yr
Home Care
5%$9,600/yr
Mental Health
1%$2,400/yr
Follow-Up Care
14%$26,500/yr
Monthly Out-of-Pocket Costs During Treatment
Month-by-month cost projection through your treatment plan
Month-by-Month Breakdown
Detailed projection of treatment costs and cumulative out-of-pocket spending
| Month | Treatment Cost | Insurance Pays | Your Medical Cost | Lost Income | Other Costs | Cumulative Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $26,000 | $16,000 | $6,000 | $3,000 | $1,600 | $10,600 |
| 6 | $10,750 | $10,750 | $0 | $3,000 | $1,600 | $35,600 |
| 11 | $4,500 | $4,500 | $0 | $3,000 | $1,600 | $58,600 |
| 12 | $4,500 | $4,500 | $0 | $3,000 | $1,600 | $63,200 |
Personalized Insights
Actionable recommendations based on your numbers
Total estimated cancer cost: $89,700
Over 12 months of treatment plus 5 years of follow-up care, your total out-of-pocket cost includes $8,000 in medical expenses, $36,000 in lost income, and $19,200 in other costs. The American Cancer Society reports that cancer patients pay an average of $21,000 per year in out-of-pocket costs.
Medicare covers 93% of treatment costs
Your insurance pays an estimated $106,000 of $114,000 in total treatment costs. Your annual out-of-pocket maximum of $8,000 caps your yearly medical spending, but non-medical costs like travel, home care, and lost income are not covered.
Cancer treatment reduces retirement savings by $30,656
Reduced contributions and treatment-related withdrawals during treatment compound over time. This translates to $102 less per month in retirement income using the 4% withdrawal rule.
Peak monthly cost reaches $10,600
Your highest monthly expense occurs during active treatment when surgery, chemotherapy, and other costs overlap. Build an emergency fund or arrange a line of credit to cover these peak months. Many oncology practices offer payment plans for large balances.
Financial assistance programs can significantly reduce costs
Explore these resources: CancerCare (copay assistance), Patient Advocate Foundation (insurance appeals), NeedyMeds (prescription assistance), and pharmaceutical manufacturer patient assistance programs. Many provide free medications or copay cards. Social workers at cancer centers can help identify programs you qualify for.
Lost income adds $36,000 to treatment burden
Income loss during treatment is often the largest non-medical cost. Explore short-term disability insurance, FMLA protections, employer sick leave banks, and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) if treatment exceeds 12 months. Some states offer paid family leave programs.
Follow-up care adds $26,500 over 5 years
Post-treatment monitoring includes regular imaging scans, blood work, oncologist visits, and ongoing prescriptions. These costs extend well beyond active treatment. Budget for continued medical expenses and maintain comprehensive health insurance throughout the follow-up period.
Maximize your Medicare cancer coverage
Medicare Part B covers 80% of outpatient cancer treatment. Consider a Medigap supplemental policy to cover the remaining 20% coinsurance. Medicare Part D covers oral cancer drugs but may have high copays in the coverage gap. Low-Income Subsidy (Extra Help) can reduce Part D costs. Medicare has no out-of-pocket maximum without supplemental coverage.
Investing in mental health supports better outcomes
Research shows that addressing anxiety and depression during cancer treatment improves treatment adherence and outcomes. Your investment in counseling and mental health support is well-placed. Many cancer centers offer free support groups and social work services that can supplement paid counseling.