Health-Care Savings Series—Day 10: Take advantage of condition-based programs

Yesterday we blogged about insurance for those facing financial difficulties. There are also public programs that expand low-income coverage to people with certain conditions who may not meet the stringent Medicaid means test, as well as private condition-based programs. We list several below, but if you are uninsured or underinsured, and have a condition that needs treatment, get in touch with your local department of social services or a health-care social worker to learn more about your options. And, as always feel free to list your tips in the comments.

Medicaid Special Coverage Programs:

·    Breast and Cervical Cancer Prevention and Treatment Program. Uninsured women screened through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) National Breast and Cervical Early Cancer Detection Program, and found to have either pre-cancerous conditions, or cancer, may be eligible for special Medicaid coverage to treat the disease.

The screening program is available to uninsured and underinsured women whose incomes are at or below 250 percent of the federal poverty guideline. Cervical cancer screenings are available to women age 18-64, and breast cancer screenings are available to women age 40-64. Use the CDC website to find a screening program near you. And contact your state health department to inquire about the treatment program. Rules for this program are exacting and differ from state to state.

·    Tuberculosis. States may also expand eligibility to low-income people with a tuberculosis infection who otherwise don't qualify for Medicaid. Services are limited to tuberculosis treatment, but include prescription drugs, physicians, outpatient hospital services, clinics, federally qualified health centers, lab and X-rays, and case management. Contact your state health department to inquire about this treatment program.

·    Sickle Cell Anemia. This program, unlike those above, does not extend eligibility, but rather expands the scope and value of treatments for this hereditary blood condition for children and adults who are already eligible for Medicaid. It enables Medicaid to pay for more care such as special blood treatments, genetic testing and counseling, and services to prevent a recurrence of the strokes that are a devastating complication of the disease. Contact your state health department to inquire about this treatment program.

There are also a number of condition-specific private assistance programs available for those in need:

• The American Kidney Fund provides grants to qualified dialysis patients to help pay for prescription medications covered under Medicare Part D.
• The American Academy of Ophthalmology's EyeCare America has several programs to expand access to medical eye care.
• The Knights Templar Eye Foundation also provides assistance to those who face loss of sight.
• Mission Cataract USA offers free cataract surgery to those without the means to pay.
• New Eyes for the Needy helps low income-children and adults get eyeglasses.
• The National Organization of Rare Disorders' patient assistance programshelp those without adequate insurance get access to life-saving or life-sustaining medications.
• The Lions Clubs International's Lions Affordable Hearing Aid Projects helps provide hearing aids to those who can't afford them.
• The Access Project helps HIV and AIDS patients find patient assistance programs, and offers help for hepatitis patients as well.
• NeedyMeds.org has a list of programs for patients who need help organized by disease.
• The National Eye Institute lists programs that provide financial aid for eye care.
• The National Cancer Institute provides a guide to organizations that provide assistance to people with cancer.
• The Amputee Coalition of America has a guide on where and how to apply for financial assistance for prosthetics and other assistive devices.
• The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society provides financial help to those with significant needs.

You can also reference this page maintained by the National Institutes of Health,which has links to further resources for financial assistance to meet medical needs.

—Kevin McCarthy, associate editor

Comments

[Marsha Epstein MD MPH]

All you health information looks at health as if it were in a vacuum. For example, quality of schools, access to birth control and free immunizations, laws about smoke-free public areas, subsidized high quality preschools, subsidized tobacco treatment programs, limits or bans on advertising of alcohol, tobacco and sugary substances, access to safe parks and public transportation make a huge difference in levels of health, without adding a penny for health insurance. Please remember to comment on these when you discuss health or health insurance.

[Paul Maurice Martin]

Great info/public service. I continue to be as much of a health care reform advocate as I can be despite being mostly bedridden now.