Support Resources

Insurance Resources Blog Post

The American Cancer Society is a great resource when trying to understand health insurance. Check out their information on the following topics:

Health Insurance Options

Managing Your Health Insurance

If You Have Trouble Paying a Bill

Health Insurance Laws

Source: American Cancer Society https://www.cancer.org

Helping the underinsured afford critical medical treatments — because no one should go without essential care.  501(c)(3) independent non-profit organization providing financial assistance to adults and children to cover the cost of prescription drug coinsurance, copayments, deductibles, health insurance premiums and other selected out-of-pocket health care costs.

The National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD)Ⓡ, facilitates the Rare Caregiver Respite Program, aimed at providing caregivers of rare disease patients a much-needed respite.  Through the program, NORD provides financial assistance to eligible caregivers covering up to $500 annually so that a respite caregiver may be secured to care for a loved one. Potential applicants can reach out to NORD to ascertain if they meet eligibility requirements.  Examples of what the NORD Rare Caregiver Respite Care Program financial assistance may cover include: Registered Nurse (RN) care, Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) care, Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) / Nursing Assistant or Home Health Aide (HHA).  For more information contact 203.616.4328 or caregiverrespite@rarediseases.org.

The Cancer Financial Assistance Coalition helps cancer patients by limiting financial challenges, through a broad range of advocacy, communications and education programs in collaboration with its member organizations.

Cancer Care provides professional support services, including counseling and support groups, education, financial assistance and practical help to anyone affected by cancer. Its services are provided free of charge by professional oncology social workers.

Livestrong Foundation works to identify the issues faced by cancer survivors to comprehensively improve quality of life for members of the global cancer community.

Catholic Charities’ offers a searchable database of member organizations around the nation, including groups that offer programs to help families meet the costs of medical care.

The JoJo Siwa Childhood Cancer Foundation is built around love and support for families impacted by childhood cancer.  The foundation offers financial assistance to eligible families.

Helping the underinsured afford critical medical treatments — because no one should go without essential care.  501(c)(3) independent non-profit organization providing financial assistance to adults and children to cover the cost of prescription drug coinsurance, copayments, deductibles, health insurance premiums and other selected out-of-pocket health care costs.

NeedyMeds is dedicated to helping people who cannot afford medicine or health care costs.

RxAssist offers a database of patient assistance programs, as well as practical tools, news, and articles so that health care professionals and patients can find the information they need.

The Abigail Alliance is committed to helping create wider access to developmental cancer drugs and other drugs for serious life-threatening illnesses.

The HealthWell Foundation addresses the needs of individuals with insurance who cannot afford their co-payments, coinsurance, and premiums for important medical treatments.

Hill-Burton Free and Reduced Cost Health Care provides services to people who are unable to pay for hospitals, nursing homes and other health facilities.

The Patient Advocate Foundation (PAF) provides professional case management services to Americans with chronic, life threatening and debilitating illnesses.

Patient Access Network (PAN) helps uninsured people with life threatening, chronic and rare diseases obtain medications and treatment.

Need Help Paying Bills provides information on assistance programs, charity organizations, and other resources that can help with paying bills, mortgage and debt expenses.

Partnership for Prescription Assistance helps qualifying patients without prescription drug coverage get the medicines they need by putting them in touch any one of hundreds of programs tailored for different needs and conditions.

The American Cancer Society’s Road to Recovery Program provides free transportation for cancer patients receiving treatment at a nearby hospital or medical facility.

The Edmond J. Safra Family Lodge at NIH offers a home-like place of respite for families and loved ones of adult patients who are receiving care at the NIH Clinical Center.

The Children’s Inn at NIH is available at no charge for patients who are 29 years and younger and their families who are enrolled in pediatric protocols at the National Institutes of Health.

The American Cancer Society Hope Lodge ® program can offer families a free place to stay when cancer treatment is given far from home.

Hotel Partners Program The American Cancer Society, in a cooperative effort with hotels across the country, provides overnight accommodations to cancer patients who must travel for outpatient treatment and need assistance with lodging.

The National Patient Travel HELPLINE provides information about charitable, long-distance medical air transportation and provides referrals to sources of help available in the national charitable medical air transportation network.

Patient AirLift Services arranges free air transportation based on need to individuals requiring medical care and for other humanitarian purposes.

TSA Cares is a helpline to assist travelers with disabilities and medical conditions. TSA recommends that passengers call 72 hours ahead of travel to for information about what to expect during screening.

Miracle Flights for Kids helps children who are struggling with severe illness fly to specialized medical treatment centers anywhere across the U.S.

Mercy Medical Angels provides both air and ground transportation support for patients in need of specialized medical care outside their local region.

Hospitality Homes provides temporary housing in volunteer host homes and other donated accommodations for families and friends of patients seeking care at Boston-area medical centers.

Joe’s House is a nonprofit organization providing a nationwide online service that helps cancer patients and their families find discounted lodging near treatment centers.

Ronald McDonald House allows families to access specialized medical treatment by providing a place to stay at little or sometimes no cost.

American Cancer Society’s website provides information on a variety of topics ranging from patient services to clinical trials. Their Cancer Helpline (1-800-227-2345) provides information and advice 24 hours a day/7 days a week.

Cancer and Careers empowers and educates people with cancer to thrive in their workplace, by providing expert advice, interactive tools and educational events.

Double “H” Ranch provides specialized programs and year-round support for children and their families dealing with life-threatening illnesses.

Serious Fun Children’s Network is an international family of camps and programs that provide life-changing experiences to children with serious medical conditions, always free of charge.

NORD’s MedicAlert Assistance Program provides MedicAlert products and services to eligible individuals in the rare disease community. If someone with a rare disease can’t speak for themselves in an emergency, MedicAlert can be their voice in providing important and potentially life-saving information. The program provides eligible individuals with a MedicAlert product and 3-years of membership.