Patient Financial Assistance Programs

According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, health care costs in the U.S. were more than $2.3 trillion in 2008 and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that 43.8 million Americans had no health insurance during that time. Many individuals and families struggle to pay for the medical care they need. Even when people have insurance, the deductibles and co-pays can be difficult to meet and not all health care services are covered on every plan.

Medicaid

• Medicaid provides health insurance for some people with low incomes. Eligibility criteria vary from state to state and not all people with low incomes qualify. For qualifying recipients, Medicaid covers a variety of health services, including inpatient hospital care, outpatient visits to doctors and clinics, medical tests, mental health care, prescription drugs and some dental care.

Children's Health Insurance Program

• The Children's Health Insurance Program, sometimes known as CHIP, provides health insurance for some children who do not qualify for Medicaid. CHIP covers most health services for children.

Hill-Burton Act

• The Hill Burton Act only applies to certain hospitals that received federal funds for past construction projects, but it requires those hospitals to provide a certain amount of free or reduced cost care to qualifying patients. For a list of obligated facilities, see Resources.

Prescription Drug Assistance Program

• Many pharmaceutical companies, including Bristol-Meyers Squibb, GlaxoSmithKline and Wyeth, offer prescription drug assistance programs for patients who cannot afford their prescription medications. Eligibility criteria vary from company to company and not all medications are covered.

Mental Health Boards

• Most counties have mental health boards, and many mental health boards have funds to help pay for mental health care for patients who have low incomes and no insurance. Coverage varies from county to county, but often includes outpatient counseling, consultation with psychiatrists when needed, substance abuse treatment and even inpatient mental health care when necessary.

Lions Clubs International

• Lions Clubs International provides a number of eye care services to people who cannot otherwise afford care, including vision screenings and cataract surgery. For more information, contact a Lions Club near you.

Cancer Fund of America, Inc.

• The Cancer Fund of America provides assistance to cancer patients by providing items such as nutritional supplements, over-the-counter medications and medical supplies. They also refer patients to other organizations that provide other forms of assistance.