For survivors of childhood cancer, good health insurance is critical to good follow-up care. Physicians focused on survivors' long-term care recommend follow-up clinic visits and sometimes certain tests to help monitor for early signs of late effects in hopes of intervening before they become bigger problems. Typically, health insurance would pay for the bulk of the costs of those clinic visits and tests.

Some childhood cancer survivors—whether they're dealing with late effects or not—may have a difficult time getting full coverage for these recommended services or even getting insurance at all because of their medical history or pre-existing conditions.

Some survivors also run into insurance problems when they're no longer eligible for coverage under their parents' plan. If these survivors cannot get insurance through their employers, they can purchase insurance through a private plan, which can be expensive; try to qualify for state or federal coverage through Medicaid or Medicare; or go without insurance.

Childhood cancer survivors may qualify for Medicaid coverage if they have low income and limited resources and are considered to have a disability. (Proving disability can be tricky, however, if a survivor's disability isn't outwardly apparent.) Some who have a proven disability also might qualify for Medicare coverage if they have received Social Security Disability Insurance for at least 24 months.

Nonetheless, follow-up care for all childhood cancer survivors is extremely important in ensuring their future health. UCare—an independent, nonprofit health insurance plan for underserved and underprivileged people in Minnesota and western Wisconsin—now has a plan for people with chronic illnesses called UCare Connect that might be an option for survivors who have been denied coverage elsewhere. Similar programs exist in other regions.

Every survivor should have access to medical care. Contact your oncologist or social services staff if you need help with this very important part of your long-term health.

The Growing Up After Cancer section of the Masonic Cancer Center Web site was produced by University of Minnesota School of Journalism and Mass Communication graduate student Nicole Endres. The section's medical content was written under the advisement of Masonic Cancer Center member Joseph Neglia, M.D., M.P.H.