When you’re sick, the last thing you want to think about is paying medical bills. And they seem to get bigger every day you’re sick. But there’s help. Government programs and financial assistance programs can provide the support you need. Here are eight organizations that can help pay your medical bills.
1. HealthWell Foundation
HealthWell Foundation helps people with chronic or life-altering medical conditions. It also assists with medical expenses and medical care. Its slogan is “when health insurance isn’t enough.” HealthWell helps with prescription copays, health insurance premiums, treatment costs, and general copay costs.
2. Cancer Care Financial Assistance
Founded in 1994, Cancer Care helps patients cover the cost of chemotherapy and specific treatment drugs. Cancer Care also provides assistance for those who lack sufficient insurance coverage. They help people who can’t afford insurance.
3. Patient Advocate Foundation
The Patient Advocate Foundation (PAF) helps those fighting to pay medical bills. They locate sources of copay assistance and financial aid to pay medical bills. PAF will also help you understand your bill. They’ll spot errors and negotiate a better price. PAF also helps review hospital bills for errors.
4. Your Hospital
Don’t forget your hospital or health provider. They will often negotiate rates down so they’re more affordable. It is important to ask for a copy of the hospital's financial assistance policy up front. Most hospitals have grants available to pay for patients’ bills. Contact the billing department to learn how you can apply for a grant. These grants are generally based on financial need and can help reduce your hospital bill.
5. National Organization for Rare Disorders
The National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) provides financial assistance for life-sustaining medical needs to help patients who can’t afford the cost. NORD also helps patients manage medical debt. Help is based on financial criteria being met. And often, same-day approval is common.
6. RxHope Prescription Drugs
RxHope works with pharmaceutical companies to help patients get reduced-priced or free prescription drugs. RxHope can also offer financial assistance for prescription drugs. Assistance is based on the companies’ guidelines for the specific drug.
7. PAN Foundation
The PAN Foundation helps underinsured people with life-threatening, chronic and rare diseases have the care they need. The PAN Foundation provides help with medical bills. They help with copays, coinsurance and financial assistance for transportation to and from medical appointments. PAN also has helps pay insurance premiums.
8. Needy Meds
NeedyMeds is a website that offers information on various organizations that can help pay your medical bills. NeedyMeds also provides information on the Children's Health Insurance Program. NeedyMeds helps you search for help paying your medical bills, prescription drugs and transportation to medical appointments. You search the website by disease, prescription drug name and more. Everything is in one place.
Conclusion
No one should go without treatment because they can’t afford it. And even if you do get the treatment you need, you shouldn’t have to bankrupt yourself or your family. The Affordable Care Act plays a crucial role in providing access to health insurance and financial assistance for those who previously did not have it. These organizations and hospitals can get you the financial help you need.
