How much chemotherapy costs and how to pay for it

A person holding a cancer patient's hand
| 12 min read Financial assistance

Almost everyone in the United States has been touched by cancer. Whether you’ve recently been diagnosed with cancer or have a friend or loved one currently navigating a cancer diagnosis, the entire process can feel overwhelming. Treatments can also be costly, putting a heavy financial burden on patients and their loved ones. Also, there’s a high cost associated with cancer recovery, needing time off work or even extra support with care. Preparing for these costs is crucial, and knowing how much chemotherapy will cost is an important first step. 

In this article, we’ll look at chemotherapy and its costs, as well as the financial resources, like crowdfunding, available to help you alleviate the financial strain of chemotherapy. Remember: it’s always worth discussing different treatments and their costs with your oncologist.

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What is chemotherapy?

To start, it’s important to understand one of the most common cancer treatments: chemotherapy. According to the Mayo Clinic, chemo is a drug treatment that uses powerful chemicals to kill fast-growing cells in your body. Because cancer cells grow faster than other types of cells, chemotherapy is most often used to treat cancer. Chemotherapy can be used:

  • As a primary treatment for cancer, without other treatments 
  • To kill hidden cancer cells, especially after other treatments like surgery. This is known as adjuvant therapy
  • To shrink a cancerous tumor and to prepare your body for other treatments. This is called neoadjuvant therapy
  • As a way to relieve the signs and symptoms of cancer. This is called palliative chemotherapy

Now that you understand how doctors use chemotherapy to treat cancer, let’s look at the financial cost of chemotherapy treatments and the entire financial picture for cancer patients.

What costs need to be considered?

When it comes to the financial impact of chemotherapy, there’s more to consider than just the cost of the treatment itself. Chemotherapy treatment includes the drugs themselves, hospital and clinic fees, doctor’s visits and other tests to monitor progress, as well as travel and accommodation costs, especially if patients don’t live near a treatment center. Let’s explore each of these costs in more detail.

Hospital or clinic fees

One factor in the average cost of chemotherapy is the fees paid to the hospital or clinic where patients are being treated. Since chemo treatment typically requires overnight stays, these can add up quickly. Even if overnight stays aren’t needed, there may be outpatient facility fees for each appointment. These fees vary by the specific treatment center.

Doctor’s visits and tests

Many doctors charge copays for each visit, which can add up depending on the number of visits required and there may be deductibles. In addition, patients may be referred to specialists, such as physical or occupational therapists, which may not be covered by insurance. 

Tests are usually also required to monitor the condition and overall progress during chemotherapy treatment. These can include bloodwork or imaging tests like computed tomography (CT) or positron emission tomography (PET) scans. These tests significantly increase the price of cancer treatment.

Travel and accommodation

If patients don’t live near a cancer treatment center, they’ll also need to consider the costs of travel and accommodation. If an outpatient treatment is needed, patients or their caretakers may need to get a hotel near the center for several days. Gas to drive there will also add to the overall costs—this is true even if a hotel stay isn’t required.

Chemotherapy drug

Unfortunately, there is no one-size-fits-all price for chemotherapy. The cost can vary significantly depending on the type of cancer, your treatment plan, and whether the chemotherapy medicine is taken orally or through an IV. These are some common chemo drugs to be aware of:

  • Paclitaxel (Abraxane): This IV drug is commonly used to treat breast, lung, and colon cancers and can cost upwards of $10,000 per dose, although generic forms are much cheaper.
  • Carboplatin (Paraplatin): This IV drug is used to treat ovarian, lung, neck, and other cancers and can cost between $15 and $30 per vial.
  • Ibrutinib (Imbruvica): This oral medication treats lymphomas and can sometimes cost upwards of $17,000 for a 30-day treatment, or roughly $616 per tablet. 
  • Enzalutamide (Xtandi): This oral medication is often used to treat prostate cancer and can cost more than $15,000 for a 30-day supply. It’s important to note that this drug is often partially covered by commercial insurance.

Oral medications can come with higher out-of-pocket costs than IV medications, but your total cost will depend on whether you choose a brand-name drug or a generic one, and on your insurance coverage.

In addition to the type of chemotherapy, other cost factors include health insurance type, where patients live, whether treatment takes place in an outpatient clinic or hospital, and the potential for additional care due to side effects from the medication.

Out-of-pocket costs

While those with insurance can expect it to help them pay for their cancer treatment, out-of-pocket costs can still be substantial. As of 2025, Medicare introduced a $2,000 annual cap on prescription drug spending. In 2026, the cap is projected to rise slightly to about $2,100, meaning patients will continue to face thousands of dollars in yearly expenses. Uninsured and underinsured patients often face the highest costs for cancer care, too. Recent estimates show that total treatment costs for uninsured patients can exceed $150,000 or more, particularly for advanced or long-term therapies.

Treatment and care phases

The cost of your cancer treatment can also vary based on the treatment phase the patient is currently in. The National Cancer Institute categorizes care into three broad categories: initial care, continuing care, and end-of-life care. These cost estimates include medical services that can be attributed to cancer drugs and oral prescription drug costs. For all types of cancers in 2020, the average patient cost in the first year of the cancer diagnosis was $43,516.10, the average per-year continuing care costs were $5,517.60, and the average end-of-life care costs were $109,727.30. 

Living with cancer can not only take a physical and emotional toll but also a financial one. There also may be additional treatment options for cancer, such as radiation therapy or immunotherapy, which target killing the cancer cells in different ways than chemotherapy. For breast cancer, you may also need treatment like mastectomies, which can be elective or preventative. Sometimes, patients may be enrolled in clinical trials, where new treatment methods or surgeries may be tested (safely) on patients. Usually, insurance or the trial sponsor can pay for this.

Insurance coverage and financial assistance programs

For those who have insurance, you may get some financial relief due to your health insurance plan covering many of these cancer-related costs. However, the extent of your coverage will depend on factors including:

  • Premiums: This is the monthly cost you must pay to stay covered by your insurance plan.
  • Deductibles: This is your out-of-pocket threshold that must be met before your insurance plan will cover costs of care. 
  • Co-payment: This is a flat fee you pay per healthcare service, prescription, or procedure.
  • Co-insurance: This is a percentage you pay on the total cost of a healthcare service, prescription, or procedure.
  • Out-of-pocket maximums: This is a limit that caps your financial responsibility before your health insurer pays 100% of covered, in-network benefits.
  • In-network or out-of-network: This is where you receive care. In-network providers cost less because your insurance company has already negotiated with them. Out-of-network providers can cost much more and may not be covered by your plan.

If you have Medicare, it will cover the costs of cancer-related care. For cancer patients, Medicare Part A (hospital insurance) covers chemo for hospital inpatients, and Medicare Part B (medical insurance) covers chemo for hospital outpatients, doctor’s office, or freestanding clinic services.

Because Medicaid is a state-funded program, coverage may vary. While many offer some coverage for low-income individuals, check with your state’s Medicaid program to see what coverage is available for cancer patients.

It’s crucial to learn about your insurance plan and what your financial liability may be based on the treatments you receive. If you can’t pay for the costs of chemotherapy, there are financial assistance programs that can help.

Nonprofit assistance

There are many nonprofit organizations dedicated to helping cancer patients and their families pay for the care they need. While each program will have its own eligibility criteria, these programs are offered to help bridge the financial gap for those already suffering an incredible burden. Here are some of the programs that may be able to lend a hand:

Prescription medication assistance

The prescription costs for oral chemotherapy medicine can be expensive. However, many pharmaceutical manufacturers offer programs that provide discounted or free medications. These programs can significantly lower your prescription drug costs and help you navigate the financial aspect of cancer. Some of the most popular pharmaceutical assistance programs include:

Crowdfunding for chemotherapy costs

After utilizing insurance and prescription medication assistance, there’s a good chance you may still be financially strained by the costs of chemotherapy. That’s where crowdfunding can help. Thousands of people have started fundraisers to help cover cancer costs like chemotherapy.

It’s a powerful way to raise money and provides a trusted way for your community to offer their support. So whether you just need a little help or you’re uninsured and need to pay for all of your treatment out of pocket, GoFundMe can help you get closer to the treatment you need. Starting a fundraiser on GoFundMe is easy, and it only takes a few minutes to start. If you need a way to bridge the financial gap, consider starting a crowdfunding fundraiser through GoFundMe.

What expenses can crowdfunding cover?

When cancer patients or their loved ones start a GoFundMe for cancer fundraising and start receiving support from their community, they can ultimately decide where the money goes. We recommend, however, being transparent on fundraising pages about what the funds will be used for to increase trust among supporters. Here are some examples of what donations received via a GoFundMe can be used for:

●        Out-of-pocket chemo drug costs

●        Copays and deductibles

●        The cost of travel and accommodation

●        The cost of imaging tests and bloodwork

●        Hospital or clinic fees

●        The cost of specialist care that isn’t covered by insurance

●        The cost of medications to treat side effects of chemo, such as nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting

●        Any other cancer-related expenses, such as mastectomy bras, headwear for hair loss, or port access tops

Strategies to manage cancer treatment costs

Cancer treatments such as chemotherapy can be incredibly expensive. However, there are some steps you can take to help you or a loved one manage these costs.

1. Work with a financial counselor

Many hospitals and healthcare systems have financial counselors on staff who can work with you to navigate treatment costs, identify any resources, and help you negotiate a payment plan. They can also review your insurance policy and help you gain a better picture of what’s covered and what isn’t.

2. Explore payment plans

Setting up a payment plan with your healthcare provider can be another way to manage healthcare costs. Often, healthcare providers allow you to set up a recurring monthly payment, spreading the entire cost of your medical bills over a longer period of time. These payment plans can be the most financially sound option because they are often zero-interest versus high-interest credit cards, medical loans, or other kinds of financing.

3. Ask about generic drugs

Name-brand chemotherapy drugs can cost a significant amount more than generic alternatives. Therefore, ask your doctor if a switch to a generic drug is right for you—it could save you money. The most common generic chemotherapy drugs include cisplatin, carboplatin, and methotrexate.

Get the support you need for chemo treatment

Anyone who is battling cancer knows the emotional and physical toll it can take. With costs already high and expected to increase, it’s more important than ever to consider the factors that go into the overall cost and understand how different phases of treatment may affect it. In addition, make sure you review your insurance policy in detail and take advantage of any nonprofit or prescription medication assistance available.

While there are many programs designed to financially assist people, crowdfunding is a great way to help fill the financial gaps and get the support you need. By starting a GoFundMe, you’re closer to alleviating the financial stress of chemo and cancer care, so you and your loved ones can focus on treatment and recovery.

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Written by GoFundMe