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Patient Advocate Foundation
help@patientadvocate.org
Phone: (800) 532-5274
Fax: (757) 873-8999
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Home > Resources > PAF Publications > PAF Guides & Major Publications > National Underinsured Resource Directory Booklet > Patient Resources

Patient Resources

PAF seeks to empower patients across the country to take control of their healthcare. Since you are reading this book, you may find yourself in a position the same as many other American's that are having difficulty affording their high out-of-pocket medical costs. The following section will offer resources to help you locate assistance programs that may be able to assist you offset these cost.

A more comprehensive interactive tool is available on the Patient Advocate Foundation website at http://www.patientadvocate.org/help4u.php. You can log in and register and by answering a few simple questions obtain a personalized listing of specific resources matched to your needs.

RESOURCES FOR DENTAL
  • National Foundation of Dentistry for the Handicapped
    303-534-5360
    www.nfdh.org


  • American Dental Association
    Provides a listing of accredited dental schools. Maybe an option for discounted
    service.
    312-440-2500
    www.ada.org


RESOURCES FOR VISION
  • EyeCare America
    Provides free eye care educational materials and facilitates access to eye care—at no out-of-pocket cost.
    1-800-222-3937
    www.eyecareamerica.org


  • New Eyes for the Needy
    Helps improve the vision of poor children and adults in the United States by providing new or recycled donated glasses
    1-973-376-4903
    www.neweyesfortheneedy.org


  • Vision USA
    Provides basic eye health and vision care services free of charge to uninsured,
    low-income people and their families.
    1-800-766-4466
    www.aoa.org/visionusa.xml


RESOURCES FOR HEARING
  • Hear Now
    Hear Now is a national non-profit program committed to assisting those permanently residing the in the U.S. who are deaf or hard of hearing and have no other resources to acquire hearing aids.
    1-800-328-8602
    www.starkeyhearingfoundation.org


CO-PAY ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS
These programs are set up to assist patients with insurance that have co-pays for chemotherapy or prescription medications. Every program has its own guidelines. You can contact the organization for eligibility criteria. The contact information is provided below.



OTHER CO-PAY OPTIONS
  • Managed RX
    A pharmacy program that will waive your co-payment on medications and ship
    them to you at no cost if you meet certain eligibility requirements.They do not assist with Medicare or Medicaid patients.
    1-800-799-8765
    www.managedrxplans.com


  • Needy Meds
    Informational website that has up-to-date contact and instructions about various
    pharmaceutical manufacturers' drug assistance programs and a listing of co-pay and state programs.
    www.needymeds.com


FEDERAL PROGRAMS
  • Veterans' Administration
    Provides a broad spectrum of medical, surgical and rehabilitation care to its
    qualified veterans and their dependents. Treatment for services is based on the
    veteran's financial need.
    1-877-222-VETS
    www.va.gov


  • U.S. Department of Health & Human Services
    United States government's principal agency for protecting the health of all
    Americans and providing essential human services, especially for those who are least able to help themselves. The office of the Inspector General U.S. Government Hotline is for individuals to call for complaints regarding Medicare or Medicaid, as well as providing assistance with entitlements, benefits, insurance and resources.
    1-877-696-6775
    www.cms.hhs.gov



COMMUNITY RESOURCES
  • United Way
    Call 2-1-1 for help with food, housing, employment, healthcare, counseling and
    more. calling 2-1-1
    www.211.org


  • American Cancer Society
    Offers numerous resources, including printed materials, counseling for patient and their families and information on lodging for people who may require treatment far from home. Contact your local chapter to find out about resources available in your community. Local ACS office may offer reimbursement for expenses related to cancer treatment including transportation, medicine and medical supplies. Financial assistance is available in some areas.
    1-800-227-2345
    www.cancer.org


  • Catholic Charities
    Provides assistance for meeting basic needs—mortgage and rent assistance,
    utility assistance, food, clothing, medical supplies and prescription drug assistance, shelter, transportation. Online resource provides local phone number.
    1-703-549-1390
    www.catholiccharitiesusa.org


  • Salvation Army National Headquarters
    Provides assistance on a case-by-case basis
    1-800-378-7272
    www.salvationarmyusa.org


    • Contact your local house of worship to inquire
    for any relief programs

  • National Patient Travel Center
    Provides information about all forms of charitable, long-distance medical air
    transportation and provides referrals to all appropriate sources of help to patients who cannot afford travel for medical care.
    1-800-296-1217
    www.patienttravel.org


  • National Association of Hospital Hospitality Houses, Inc.
    Provides information on free or low-cost temporary lodging to families or patients who are undergoing treatment away from home.
    1-800-542-9730
    www.nahhh.org


  • Tamika and Friends
    Tamika and Friends


HEALTH INSURANCE RESOURCES:
The following resources can provide additional guidance on locating state laws and health insurance options.



ACCESS TO CARE RESOURCES:
Clinical Trials: Clinical trials are a way to access care and provide an option for care for the uninsured or underinsured. Some trials absorb most or all of the treatment cost and can be a cost effective way to access care.

  • The National Institute of Health (NIH)
    offers a broad range of trials
    1-800-411-1222
    www.nih.gov


  • National Cancer Institute (NCI)
    only offers cancer related trials.
    1-888-624-1937
    www.nci.gov


  • EmergingMed
    offers a free online tool that helps cancer patients find appropriate clinical trials.
    1-877-601-8601
    www.emergingmed.com


  • The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Health Resource and Services Administration (HRSA)
    This link will connect you to federally-funded health centers regardless of your ability to pay.
    1-877-464-4772
    www.findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov


  • The Hill-Burton Program
    A program run by the U.S. Government that can arrange for certain medical facilities or hospitals to provide free or low-cost. These facilities are obligated to provide free or reduced cost care. Patient's should inquire about the possibility of free services before entering the hospital, as many have fulfilled or are very close to fulfilling their requirement.
    1-800-638-0742
    www.hrsa.gov


  • If you are concerned by breast or cervical symptoms and need screening services, Contact the Breast and Cervical Cancer Program before you seek care.
    1-800-232-4636
    http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/nbccedp



Disclaimer:
Every effort has been made to make this guide as up-to-date as possible, however, change is inevitable. If you find any information that is not current or incorrect in this publication, please notify us and we will correct it in the next printing. Furthermore, if there are other organizations that are not listed here that you feel would be helpful to others, please contact us at 1-800-532-5274 or email your suggestions to info@patientadvocate.org.