Help When You Have Health Insurance, But Can’t Afford High Co-pays and Deductibles

Last updated on June 14th, 2020 at 06:02 pm

I want to tell you about a great organization called the HealthWell Foundation.

There are organizations that provide help to people who don’t have insurance, but it seems there are fewer options for people who do have insurance, but can’t afford the very high co-pays and deductibles that make medical care difficult or impossible to afford. These are the people HealthWell serves.

Their funding is always changing, so click to see who they are currently able to serve and determine if you’re eligible. If you’re not able to get help at this time, I hope you’ll keep checking back with them, since things are always different as far as who they can help.

Since two-thirds of people who file for bankruptcy cite medical issues as a key contributor to their financial downfall, and over ninety percent of households have insurance, I think this organization is so needed! I hope you’ll check them out if you need them or can donate to them. By the way, HealthWell has been named “one of American’s 20 most efficient charities” by Forbes magazine.

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If you can donate to HealthWell, here’s an example of how your donation will be used:

$25	Supports a day of treatment for a woman with breast cancer
$50	Covers the co-payment for the first course of lung cancer treatment
$75	Provides a week of treatment for an arthritis patient
$100	Supports anti-rejection treatment for an organ transplant patient
$250	Covers a child’s life-saving asthma medication for a month

And here’s a testimonial from someone who’s received a grant. (There are many on the site.)

“I’m writing to thank you. I was careful all my life. I earned a good living as a librarian, I paid my bills, I have health insurance. I had enough to share a little, and made contributions to various causes. 

After I retired, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. My doctors prescribed a drug to prevent a recurrence, but my pharmacist told me it would cost $500 a month. I’m on a fixed income, and I didn’t have that much money. I asked – did I really need this medicine? (Yes, I did.) Was there a cheaper alternative? (No, there wasn’t.) It was pay the money or risk the cancer coming back. 

I’m so grateful my doctors told me about HealthWell. You paid for the treatment, and two years later, I’m still healthy. I will be 72 this year, and life continues to amaze and delight me in so many ways. I travel, I cycle, I give back for all that I have received. I am so fortunate. 

And now I’m glad that I made contributions through my life. Now that I’ve needed the help, I know just how precious it is to receive the kindness and compassion of others. 

Thank you again.”

Another way to get co-pay assistance:

Another idea when you face unaffordable prescription co-pays is to check the website of the drug company. They will often have co-pay assistance programs. The companies would usually rather accept your insurance company’s payments and a smaller co-payment from you, than have you decide not to take their medication because of cost. Doctors don’t always know or don’t always tell you about this, so you need to check yourself.

If you know of any similar organizations, please help your neighbors, and leave a comment below.

Note: I was not asked to write about HealthWell, and all opinions are my own.