Navigating healthcare and prescription coverage in America can often be challenging. Thankfully there are resources out there to help.
Here you’ll find patient assistance programs geared toward the disabled and elderly patients, pharmacy discounts and delivery services, and a nationwide network of state medical equipment providers to aid in better day-to-day accessibility for people with disabilities.
Also included in this section are some tips for medical debt self advocacy, as well as a couple of options for professional medical bill advocacy services.
Patient Assistance Programs
The Patient Advocate Foundation is a non-profit providing case-management services for patients with chronic and life threatening or debilitating diagnoses. Services also include co-pay relief programs, financial aid funds and scholarship opportunities.
The Eldercare Locator is an online resource by geographical area to aid elderly persons with staying in their home through services such as Meals-On-Wheels and homemaker assistance. Search by city or zipcode to find what help may be available to you or a family member through this organization to aid in finding viable options for independent living.
State Pharmaceutical Assistance Program (SPAP
SPAPs are state run programs that help people with disabilities and low-income seniors with the cost of their prescription drugs. Find what pharmaceutical programs may be available to you by clicking here.
Prescription Savings and Discount Cards
Compare brand name and generic prescription prices at your local pharmacies. Searching the site or downloading the app to your mobile device. Receive discounts up to 80% by presenting your savings card at the pharmacist counter at pick-up!
Rated #1 prescription savings card of 2021, GoodRx helps you compare prices, find coupons and save 80% at all major pharmacies.
Prescription Delivery Service
Blink negotiates with pharmaceutical companies to get you the lowest price medication through your local grocers pharmacy, for delivery or pick-up. Order online, or call the toll free number to get started.
Medical Equipment Resources
The Assistive Technology Program database can connect you with the agency in your state that ‘provides items, devices or pieces of equipment to maintain or improve the functionality of people with disabilities’. These programs also provide training, maintenance and required assessments to provide customization to the particular need. The link below will lead you to the program directory. Choose ‘State AT Programs’ from the first drop down menu, and your state from the second drop down menu. Then choose the website for your states particular AT program.
Medical Bill Settlement
Unfortunately for the insured in America, before deductibles are met, out of pocket costs (not including co-pays) can be incredibly costly. If you’re staring at a pile of medical bills, try not to panic; try this first:
Look over your bill. Make sure there are no double charges, medicines not administered, or otherwise suspect charges. Make note of them and bring them up in the next step.
Contact the healthcare providers’ billing department directly. They will often offer to negotiate payment arrangements. However, many have found if you press them further, you might find they have programs for patients making below the federal poverty level. Ask for an application even though you may technically make more.
The application process will often involve providing proof of income, tax returns and assets, as well as bills backdated a few months. If you feel there are any other financial hardships that apply to your unique situation, do not hesitate to write a letter stating your case and send it along with the required documents.
After sending off documentation, make sure you stay on top of following up. Call the provider’s billing department to check the status of your application. If the provider offers you a discount, make sure your documentation is sent to you via mail, or PDF document to your email.
You may now have an amount that can be broken into a manageable payment plan. Don’t hesitate to try this same method with other healthcare providers, especially if a discount was offered from a previous attempt. The letter stating the discount can be sent along as a proof of negotiating previous debts.
Medical Bill Advocacy Services
If you find yourself understandably overwhelmed, hiring a medical debt advocate might be the right choice for you. Many advocate groups have members from multiple backgrounds within the healthcare and insurance industry, making them experts in fighting to lower your medical debt for you.
Claims.org can help you find a medical debt advocate in your area.
Medical Bill Gurus offers no-risk advocacy. They don’t get paid unless they get you a successful outcome.
