Cancer State Aid Program (CSA)
Program Overview
The Cancer State Aid Program was established in 1937 by the Georgia legislature at the request of Georgia physicians to provide cancer treatment to uninsured and under-insured, low-income Georgians who have cancer and would benefit most from treatment. For 2012, applicants must have an income at or below 300% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. The cost of treatment is paid through state funding. Physicians donate their services.
During FY11 – 463 patient applications were received, 348 patients were enrolled, 301 received services provided through the program. Over
2,900 claims for payment containing multiple treatment services totaling more than $6,265,000 were reimbursed.
Program Focus
Through agreements with hospitals, and free standing radiation and chemotherapy centers, CSA provides cancer treatment to eligible, enrolled uninsured, and under insured low-income Georgians. The expenses incurred by participating facilities to provide cancer services to enrolled patients are reimbursed by the program.
CSA reimbursed services provided by participating facilities for 87% of enrolled Georgians during FY11. Access to the program is provided through treatment facilities that perform financial and medical presumptive eligibility determinations for the program.
To participate in this program, patients must be receiving, or in need of “active” cancer treatment (not only follow-up or care for relief of symptoms) or have a condition that has been medically evaluated as highly suspicious of cancer; have cancer that will benefit from treatment; have an income at or below 300% of the 2012 Federal Poverty Guidelines; be uninsured or under-insured, lacking sufficient coverage for cancer treatment; be a Georgia resident who is a U.S. citizen or resident alien (lawfully admitted to reside permanently); and be accepted for cancer treatment by a physician affiliated with a participating facility. Patients must also receive treatments at a participating facility.
New patients are prioritized and enrolled based on cancer site, stage and expected treatment outcome as described in the latest scientific literature and cancer survival rates. Applicants are continuously enrolled based on the availability of funds. Final eligibility decisions and approval of services are made by the Cancer State Aid Program.
Treatment Services available to currently enrolled patients may include physician prescribed inpatient and outpatient services at participating hospitals, approved freestanding chemotherapy and radiation centers, approved private or retail pharmacies, home health agencies and medical suppliers.
Participating Facilities
Patients must make application through the participating
Cancer State Aid facility from which treatment is being received. Designated staff at participating facilities will assist the patient in completion of the application and will submit the application to CSA on their behalf. Enrolled patients must have CSA approval to receive care from a facility for services to be eligible for program payment. Patients must apply for CSA coverage annually to continue enrollment.
Additional Resources
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