Gruppe Benefits

Critical Illness; how much do cancer drugs cost Canadians? Carmen Chai, Global News, November 6, 2017 Pierette Breton is not just fighting cancer, she is also battling with the insurmountable medical bills that she has accumulated to cover her treatment.  In October 2009, Breton was diagnosed with a neuroendocrine tumor in her pancreas. It metastasized into her liver and bones. A single drug helped her fight the cancer – but at a hefty $8,000 a month. For a few months, her employer’s insurance covered the bill, but shortly thereafter, the plan was changed due to the increased premium and she was left to cover the cost herself.  At that point, she was already on disability, and paying thousands of dollars for her medication each month just wasn’t plausible. “It was a nightmare for me. It’s way too stressful, some days you can barely cope with going out the door,” Breton told Global News.  Unfortunately, Breton’s story isn’t abnormal as the financial fate of some Can