Financial Help for Chronically Ill Women

Women who suffer from chronic illness often have many more issues on their plate, aside from trying to get healthy. Often they have children, homes and financial worries that are exacerbated by the often significant economic ramifications of their ongoing illness. However, there are numerous resources in the United States that provide women who suffer from chronic illness with the assistance they need to keep their lives--and families--together through a difficult time.

Insurance

• Of course, the first must is adequate medical insurance with a long-term disability insurance policy, which should provide financial support for people who experience ongoing struggles with their health. However, depending on the amount of care that is covered by the insurance plan, women may need to look to other avenues to help them cover the costs of care AND living for them and their families.

Government Programs

• Government programs are set up to provide assistance to people suffering from chronic illness who are not receiving adequate funds from private insurance companies. Medicaid, a program funded by both the federal and state governments, provides insurance for low-income patients who qualify for their services, including those with disabilities. Qualifications vary depending on what state the patient lives in, but Medicaid can help to cover hospital and transportation costs that some private insurance plans may not. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is another government-sponsored program that provides low-income, disabled people (including those with chronic illness) with additional financial assistance. Finally, Temporary Aid to Needy Families (TANF) is a program that provides assistance to chronically ill women and their families to help them pay for the many expenses associated with their medical care.

National Organizations

• The mission of national support organizations, such as the Cancer Fund of America, the National Transplant Assistance Fund, and the Lyme Disease Association is to support people with chronic disease and/or illnesses. These organizations raise funds from major donors to provide patients with the financial assistance they may need to pay for hospital stays, travel for treatment, or support their families in case they lose, or are forced to quit, their jobs. Most of these organizations have toll-free lines that patients can call to seek out help.