Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center Financial Assistance: Free Care + Angel Fund (2026 Guide)
Roswell Park is the only NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center in Upstate New York and one of the first cancer centers in the country (founded 1898). Patients travel from across Western New York, the Southern Tier, and beyond for specialized oncology care. The Financial Assistance Program covers all medically necessary cancer treatment, and the Angel Fund provides additional help with travel, meals, gas, lodging, and co-pays. Under NY state law, free care is mandated at 200% FPL with no application deadline.
Quick Eligibility Summary
Who Qualifies for Roswell Park Financial Assistance?
100% Free Care (at or below 200% FPL)
Patients without health insurance and with household income at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level qualify for complete charity care. All medically necessary cancer treatment is covered, including chemotherapy, radiation, surgery, diagnostic imaging, lab work, and physician services.
Discounted Care (201-400% FPL)
Patients at 201-400% FPL receive sliding-scale discounts. The exact discount depends on your income and household size. This is especially important for cancer patients because treatment often spans months, generating multiple bills. Each bill is subject to the same discount level.
Cancer patients often have reduced income
Many cancer patients experience significant income reduction during treatment. If you had to stop working, reduce hours, or take unpaid leave, your current income (not last year's tax return) is what matters. Document your income loss and submit current pay stubs or a statement explaining the change. This can dramatically affect your FPL calculation.
Insured patients with high out-of-pocket costs
Even patients with insurance may face overwhelming out-of-pocket costs for cancer treatment. Roswell Park's financial counselors can help you understand your insurance benefits, identify copay assistance programs from pharmaceutical manufacturers, and determine if you qualify for financial assistance on the remaining balance.
The Angel Fund: Help Beyond Hospital Bills
The Angel Fund was established in 2012 by Phil Hubbell in honor of his late wife Jayne, who passed from breast cancer in 2009. It provides critical support for cancer patients who struggle with the non-medical costs of treatment, which are often overlooked but can be just as financially devastating as the medical bills themselves.
What the Angel Fund covers:
- Transportation to and from appointments including gas cards and ride assistance for patients who travel to Buffalo for treatment
- Meals for patients and caregivers during long treatment days
- Lodging for patients and families who travel from outside the Buffalo area
- Co-pay assistance to help bridge the gap until other coverage begins
How to access: Ask your social worker about the Angel Fund during any visit. A social worker will assess your financial need and connect you with available resources. You can also call 1-800-ROSWELL (1-800-767-9355) and ask for social work services.
Need Help with a Roswell Park Bill?
CareRoute can help you understand your options, draft appeal letters, and navigate the financial assistance process for cancer treatment bills.
Try Bill DefenseNew York State Patient Protections
New York has some of the strongest medical debt protections in the country. Laws effective in 2024 significantly expanded patient rights. These apply at Roswell Park.
Free Care Mandated at 200% FPL
All New York hospitals must provide 100% free care for patients at or below 200% FPL and discounted care at 201-400% FPL. This includes all cancer treatment services.
No Lawsuits Against Patients Under 400% FPL
Hospitals cannot sue patients earning under 400% FPL to collect medical debt. This is critical for cancer patients who may accumulate large balances over months of treatment.
No Application Deadline
You can apply for financial assistance at any time. Cancer treatment often spans many months. You can apply at any point during or after treatment, even for older bills.
Medical Debt Cannot Appear on Credit Reports
Medical debt cannot be reported to credit bureaus in New York. Unpaid Roswell Park bills will not affect your credit score.
No Wage Garnishment or Property Liens
Hospitals cannot garnish wages, place liens on property, or force sale of your home for medical debt.
Credit Card Payment Warning
Do not pay cancer treatment bills with a credit card. Under NY law, bills paid by credit card lose medical debt protections. This is especially important given the high cost of ongoing cancer treatment.
Learn more: New York Medical Bill Rights Guide
How to Apply for Roswell Park Financial Assistance
Contact Financial Counseling
Call (716) 845-4782 for financial counseling or 1-800-ROSWELL (1-800-767-9355) and ask to speak with a financial counselor. You can also ask any staff member during a visit to connect you with financial counseling.
Ask for a Social Worker Referral
Request a social worker at the same time. Social workers can assess your eligibility for the Angel Fund, connect you with pharmaceutical copay assistance programs, and help with non-medical costs like transportation and lodging.
Document Your Current Income
This is critical for cancer patients. If your income has dropped due to illness, bring documentation of your current income, not just last year's tax return. A letter from your employer, recent pay stubs, or a statement about loss of income can help establish your current FPL level.
Complete the Financial Assistance Application
Fill out the application with help from a financial counselor. The counselor will also screen you for Medicaid, Essential Plan, or other programs. If you qualify for government insurance, it may retroactively cover treatment you have already received.
Apply Early in Your Treatment
Do not wait until bills pile up. Apply as soon as you begin treatment at Roswell Park. The discount will apply to all eligible bills going forward and can also be applied retroactively to earlier charges.
If Your Application Is Denied
If Roswell Park denies your financial assistance application, take these steps:
- 1.Request the denial reason in writing. Common reasons include income above the threshold or incomplete documentation.
- 2.Appeal with updated income documentation. If your income has decreased since the original application (due to treatment, job loss, or reduced hours), submit current proof. Cancer patients' financial situations often change during treatment.
- 3.Ask about the Angel Fund separately. Even if denied for full financial assistance, you may still qualify for Angel Fund support for travel, meals, and co-pays.
- 4.Contact the NY Department of Health at 1-800-804-5447 if you believe Roswell Park is not following financial assistance requirements.
- 5.Explore pharmaceutical assistance programs. Many cancer drug manufacturers offer copay assistance or free drug programs. Your social worker or financial counselor can help identify these.
Denied? Let Us Help You Appeal
CareRoute can help you draft an appeal letter and cite the right NY state provisions for your Roswell Park financial assistance application.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Angel Fund?
The Angel Fund helps low-income cancer patients with non-medical costs like travel, meals, gas, lodging, and co-pays. It was established in 2012 by Phil Hubbell in honor of his late wife Jayne. Ask your social worker about eligibility.
Does financial assistance cover chemotherapy and radiation?
Yes. All medically necessary services at Roswell Park are covered, including outpatient chemo, radiation, surgery, inpatient care, diagnostic imaging, lab work, and physician services.
My income dropped because of cancer treatment. Does that help me qualify?
Yes. Financial assistance is based on current income, not historical income. If you had to stop working or reduce hours due to cancer treatment, document the change and submit it with your application. This can significantly lower your FPL level.
I have insurance but still cannot afford my bills. Can I get help?
Roswell Park financial counselors can help insured patients understand their benefits, find copay assistance from drug manufacturers, and determine if you qualify for financial assistance on remaining balances. Contact (716) 845-4782.
I travel from outside Buffalo for treatment. Can I get help with costs?
Yes. The Angel Fund and social work services can help with gas, lodging, and meals for patients who travel to Roswell Park. The American Cancer Society also operates a Hope Lodge in Buffalo that provides free lodging for cancer patients.
Is there a deadline to apply?
No. Under NY state law, there is no deadline to apply for hospital financial assistance. You can apply at any point during or after cancer treatment, even for older bills.
Related Guides
Other Buffalo-area hospital financial assistance guides and New York state protections.
Last updated: May 2026. Information is based on publicly available Roswell Park financial assistance policies and New York state law. Always confirm current eligibility requirements directly with Roswell Park financial counseling.