Did you know you can get help paying for medications and copays? Find out how to navigate your way through medical expenses and insurance and where to turn for advice.
The following is a list of organizations that will help pay for medications and co-pays, along with information on obtaining health insurance through healthcare.gov ( which will cover pre-existing conditions at no additional charge). The following also provides information on applying for Social Security Disability insurance.
Medication and Treatment Costs
The Assist Fund: 855–845–3663( www.assistfund.com)- provides financial support to chronically ill patients with high cost medications.
Good Days 877–968–7233 (www.mygoodays.org) provides financial support by covering copays for those with life altering conditions
Partnership for Prescription Assistance(www.pparx.org) helps qualifying patients who lack prescription drug coverage obtain the medications they need.
Patient Services -800–366–7741,( www.patientservicesinc.org) provides assistance with insurance premiums and co-payments for people with chronic diseases.
The Patient Advocate Foundation-800–532–5274 www.patientadvocate.org -provides education, legal counseling ,and referrals for people with cancer who need assistance in managing insurance issues and also assists with co-pays.
Affordable Health Insurance
You can get affordable health insurance for as little as $7 a month if you cannot work or make under $48K per year — healthcare.gov. This is the only place people with pre-existing conditions can obtain medical insurance and not pay more than those without pre-existing conditions, other than through their employers. Visit HealthCare.gov or GetCoveredAmerica.org, or call (800) 318-2596.
Social Security Disability
If you have metastatic cancer or another life threatening condition, you may be approved for Social Security Disability benefits in as little as 10 days (once all of your medical records are submitted and reviewed). Please see conditions that quality for this expedited review: https://www.ssa.gov/compassionateallowances/
If you have been diagnosed with earlier stages of cancer, you may be approved for the period of time you are unable to work, but you must be unable to work for at least a year. And most SSDI recipients are entitled to Medicare (federal medical insurance) after a two-year waiting period.
Advocate/Attorney
If you feel you need assistance with filing for Social Security Disability, please reach out to KristisKlimbers@gmail.com for referrals to reputable firms in the United States. Many will provide you a free consultation and let you know your chances of obtaining this key benefit.