Help with Insurance Issues

Everyone in the U.S. (check the website for availability in your area)

2-1-1 is the telephone number of a call center that offers information and provides referrals to health and human services for everyday needs and in times of crisis. Examples of service referrals include:

• Basic human need resources: food banks, clothing, shelters, rent assistance and utility assistance
• Physical and mental health resources: medical information lines, crisis intervention services, counseling, drug, and alcohol intervention
• Employment support: unemployment benefits, financial assistance, job training, transportation assistance and education programs
• Support for older adults and persons with disabilities: home healthcare, adult daycare, congregate meals, Meals on Wheels, respite care, transportation, and homemaker services
• Support for children, youth, and families: childcare, family resource centers, summer camps and recreation programs, mentoring, tutoring and protective services
   

People affected by cancer as well as community groups, employers and health professionals in the U.S.

To provide information and resources on cancer-related legal issues to cancer patients, survivors, caregivers, health professionals, employers, and others coping with cancer.

• CLRC offers a national, toll-free telephone assistance line where callers can receive free and confidential information about relevant laws and resources for their particular situation. It is a program of the Disability Rights Legal Center, based in Los Angeles, CA.

• Provides free educational materials on its website, webinars, in-person workshops and trainings on cancer-related legal issues.

People with Medicare and their caregivers, professionals

To advance access to comprehensive Medicare coverage and quality health care for older people and people with disabilities

• Offers Medicare information by phone and through website
• Offers a variety of products for purchase, such as publications, videos, recorded webinars
• Provides Medicare-related legal assistance to residents of the state of Connecticut
• Advocates nationally on Medicare issues for older adults and the disabled.

Dollar For provides free services to eligible patients and caregivers who need assistance to navigate financial assistance programs, throughout the United States. 

To crush medical bills by advocating for and empowering patients

• Directly helps people use hospital financial assistance policies or charity care to overcome unaffordable medical bills.

Individuals, families and small businesses looking for information about health insurance options

To host health insurance marketplaces and to provide consumers with information on the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA).

• Provides information about health insurance options in each state’s health insurance Marketplace
• Provides information about financial assistance options to purchase insurance in Marketplaces

Underinsured patients in the US living with chronic and life-altering illnesses who need help to afford their medical care and certain out-of-pocket expenses

To reduce financial barriers to care for underinsured patients with chronic or life-altering diseases.

• As specific disease funds are available, provides financial assistance to underinsured individuals to help with prescription copays; health insurance premiums, deductibles, and co-insurance; pediatric treatment costs; and travel expenses.  Call or check website for eligibility criteria.
• Website provides a resource list with links to other organizations.

People with Medicare and their caregivers, professionals

To ensure access to quality, affordable health care coverage for older adults and people with disabilities.

• Non-profit consumer service organization offers resources in easy-to-follow language, to help people with Medicare and their caregivers understand their rights and options
• Telephone helpline offers consultation with knowledgeable counselors about a wide range of Medicare-related issues, including how to reduce premium and prescription drug costs and how to appeal a denial by an HMO or Part D plan
• Biweekly newsletter, Dear Marci, offers explanations of Medicare coverage and options
• Offers comprehensive services to professionals who work with people who have Medicare and must understand the "ins" and "outs" of the system.

Underinsured patients with a diagnosis for which PANF has a fund (certain cancers, chronic illnesses or rare diseases), and meeting all eligibility criteria

To offer help to underinsured people with life-threatening, chronic and rare diseases to get the medications and treatments they need by assisting with their out-of-pocket costs and advocating for improved access and affordability.

• Offers nearly 70 disease-specific programs to help patients pay for their out-of-pocket costs such as deductibles, co-pays and co-insurance, travel expenses, and health insurance premiums
• Offers FundFinder, a free resource available via any internet-enabled device that provides information about disease funds at charitable patient assistance foundations
   

People in the U.S. with chronic, life-threatening and debilitating illnesses

To provide professional case management services to Americans with chronic, life threatening and debilitating illnesses.

• PAF Case Managers serve as active liaisons between the patient and their insurer, employer and/or creditors to resolve insurance, job retention and/or debt crisis matters as they relate to their diagnosis; may also be assisted by doctors and healthcare attorneys. PAF seeks to safeguard patients through effective mediation assuring access to care, maintenance of employment and preservation of their financial stability.
• Offers PAF authored publications and content, distributes booklets and publications
• Offers an annual scholarship program for survivors
• PAF Co-Pay Relief Program provides direct financial assistance to insured patients who meet certain qualifications to help them pay for the prescriptions and/or treatments they need. This assistance helps patients afford the out-of-pocket costs for these items that their insurance companies require. For details, call 866-512-3861.

People seeking information about Social Security Disability Insurance

To inform people on how to navigate the process of applying for Social Security Disability benefits

• Provides information to individuals who are seeking to apply for Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits or have been denied
• Helps to locate an attorney or advocate who can assist with the process 
• Offers an online forum, blog, and list of helpful resources such as a glossary, FAQs, and disability benefits calculator.

People living with cancer or HIV/AIDS and their caregivers, health professionals

To provide people with a life challenging condition such as cancer or HIV/AIDS with all the practical, legal and financial information they need through the entire continuum after a diagnosis.

• Online resource for information about employment, insurance, finances, government programs, day to day living, medical care, planning ahead, emotional well-being.

Cancer patients, survivors, caregivers, advocates, and health professionals

To help navigate cancer survivorship from the point of diagnosis throughout life, by providing education on all types of cancer survivorship topics

• Offers free in-person and online educational events, a speakers bureau, and online educational materials and tools. Resources cover a wide array of topics including guides on reasonable accommodations, chemo brain, insurance, employment, finances, etc.