Medical and Dental Resources

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 a cancer internationally; programs and services offered to patients and caregivers residing in the United States

In the U.S., ACS is a community-based voluntary health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem.

• Provides educational materials both online and in print about cancer, including blood cancers, as well as related information on topics such as diet, exercise, complementary and alternative medicine, and disease statistics
• Offers support services via online discussion boards and in-person support groups through local chapters
• Cancer Survivors NetworkSM, a global online community, transcends geographic boundaries and builds bonds among cancer survivors and caregivers through shared experiences and feelings
• Road to Recovery, a program offered locally by some chapters, has volunteer drivers who transport patients to and from treatment appointments
• Hope Lodges are temporary housing accommodations for patients traveling far from home for treatment. There are more than 30 lodges.

Pediatric and young adult cancer survivors, along with other cancer survivors enrolled in higher education in the United States.

To provide hope and inspiration to cancer survivors through academic scholarships, medical debt relief, and educational experiences.

• Offers Medical Debt Relief Program to cancer survivors 25 years of age or younger- includes financial navigation along with direct medical debt relief. 
• Offers educational scholarships to cancer survivors enrolled in an accredited university or college (includes community college and graduate school). Scholarship application period opens November 1 and closes January 31 each year.  See website for details.
• Mentorship program seeks to partner members of the community with cancer survivors who have an interest in pursuing a career within the donor’s field of expertise.

Children and adults with blood cancer in the U.S., healthcare professionals and researchers

To support research efforts towards finding the causes and cure for leukemia.

• Patient Aid Program offers limited funds (up to $3,000 per year) to assist with certain treatments, services and prescriptions; funds are available on a first-come, first-serve basis
• CLRA funds grants to doctors conducting promising research about leukemia.

Pediatric and adult cancer patients, healthcare professionals

To provide a report to a patient’s oncologist of ranked drug therapies targeting cancer at the genomic level.

• Patients who have had genomic sequencing of a sample of cancer/blood can provide the results to CureMatch.  Their software will then analyze the data, compare it to other sources of information, and provide a report to the oncologist.
• The price of the report is free for children with cancer under age 18.

All individuals in the U.S. with disabilities, elderly or medically at-risk, without financial means or alternative access and needing necessary, substantive, and maintainable dental care.

To provide access to comprehensive dentistry for society's most vulnerable individuals with disabilities or those who are elderly or medically at-risk and have no other way to get help.

• Dentists volunteer to provide comprehensive treatment to eligible patients
• Apply through statewide program coordinator to see if applications are being accepted in patient’s area
• Patients receive services through the program one time
   

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.

Eyecare America provides eye exams and up to one year of care to US citizens and legal residents within the continental U.S, Hawaii and Puerto Rico through volunteer ophthalmologists (EyeMDs) often at no out-of-pocket cost to those who meet eligibility criteria.

Anyone in the U.S. in need of medical care that cannot afford it

The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) is an agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services which helps tens of millions of Americans get affordable health care and other help through HRSA programs.

• Find a Health Center - Health Centers provide primary medical and dental care to people of all ages, whether or not they have health insurance. Services are provided on a sliding fee scale, based on your ability to pay.
• Find Free or Reduced Cost Care at Hill-Burton Obligated Facilities - About 200 hospitals, nursing homes and other facilities across the U.S. are required to provide a specific amount of free or reduced-cost health care to people unable to pay
• HIV/AIDS Care Ryan White HIV/AIDS programs connect people living with HIV/AIDS health care and support services
• Eligibility for free or reduced cost care depends on income and whether or not you have health insurance.

People age 65 or older, people under age 65 with certain disabilities, and people of all ages with End-Stage Renal Disease (permanent kidney failure requiring dialysis or a kidney transplant)

Provides government-funded healthcare coverage to specific populations of need. It may include both medical and drug coverage. Medicare is divided into the following parts:

• Part A Hospital Insurance helps cover inpatient care in hospitals, including critical access hospitals, and skilled nursing facilities (not custodial or long-term care). It also helps cover hospice care and some home health care. Beneficiaries must meet certain conditions to get these benefits. Most people don't pay a premium for Part A because they or a spouse already paid for it through their payroll taxes while working.
• Part B Medical Insurance helps cover doctors' services and outpatient care. It also covers some other medical services that Part A doesn't cover, such as some of the services of physical and occupational therapists, and some home health care. Part B helps pay for these covered services and supplies when they are medically necessary. Most people pay a monthly premium for Part B.
• Part C Medicare Advantage Plan - These are plans approved by Medicare and run by private companies that provide Part A and Part B coverage, and may offer extra coverage (such as vision, hearing, dental) and may include Part D prescription drug coverage.
• Part D Prescription Drug Coverage – Part D provides coverage to enrollees for brand-name and generic prescription drugs. Patients must elect and enroll in a plan and generally pay a monthly premium and yearly deductible.

All individuals in the U.S.

To improve dental, oral and craniofacial health

• The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) is the federal government’s lead agency for scientific research on dental, oral, and craniofacial health and disease.  It provides an online list of possible resources for finding low-cost dental care.

Patients in the U.S. with rare diseases

NORD is leading the fight to improve the lives of rare disease patients and families. We do this by supporting the rare community – its people and organizations – and by working together to accelerate research, raise awareness, provide direct assistance and drive public policy.

• Administers Patient Assistance Programs to help patients obtain life-saving or life-sustaining medication they could not otherwise afford
• The Patient Information Center provides information on thousands of rare disorders and resources
• The Rare Caregiver Respite Program offers limited financial assistance to eligible caregivers so that they can take a break from caregiver responsibilities
• Hosts regional and national meetings for patients and families
• Works collaboratively with a growing roster of member organizations.

Children with serious illness 18 years old or younger, or ages 19 to 21 if they have a child-like mental state

Oracle Health Foundation (formerly Cerner Charitable Foundation/First Hand Foundation) is building healthier tomorrows and stronger communities around the world by providing individual medical grants and wellness programs, engaging volunteerism, community initiatives and strategic partnerships. Applications are accepted from the United States & Canada, and through select international providers.

• Treatment: clinical procedures, medicine, therapy, prosthesis, etc.
• Equipment: wheelchairs, assistive technology equipment, care devices, hearing aids, etc.
• Displacement: lodging, food, gas, parking and transportation for families of seriously ill children who must travel during treatment
• Vehicle modifications: lifts, ramps and transfer boards.
   

Individuals in the US without the resources to obtain eyeglasses

To provide eyeglasses to individuals in need 

• Provides a basic pair of single or lined bifocal eyeglasses at no cost to individuals who meet the income guidelines.  It is optimal for social service agencies/health advocates to apply on a client’s behalf or individuals may directly apply themselves.  Call or see website for additional details. 

People with cancer in the United States

RemediChain accepts donations of unopened, unexpired oral medicines and matches those donations with vulnerable patients in need.

• Program is free for all patients and does not require insurance.
• Donated medications are inspected by a licensed pharmacist. Medications are shipped directly to patient’s accepting physician, who dispenses the medication to the patient. 
• No shipping fees for donating medication.
• Text, call, or go to the website to donate or request medication.

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.

Families of children with cancer in the U.S.

The Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation has four areas of focus: financial assistance, childhood cancer research, awareness and spreading positivity

• Provide financial assistance to families of children with cancer (application form and eligibility criteria are on the website)
• Fund research to find cures for childhood cancers and advancements in treatment protocols
• Increase awareness of childhood cancer and advocate for increased research funds
• Spread the B+ Message of being positive

Cancer and transplant patients and families, caregivers, survivors

To improve the quality of life for cancer and transplant patients and their families by providing vital financial assistance, comprehensive resources, educational information, physician referrals, and emotional support programs.

• CancerBuddy provides a user-friendly digital experience to help people affected by cancer across the US find buddies, share experiences and resources, provide support, and build a supportive community of peers
• Clinical Care Counseling provides confidential individual and family supportive counseling, financial guidance and resource referrals for cancer, transplant patients, and family members
• Patient Navigators provide guidance and support to anyone faced with a cancer diagnosis or needing a bone marrow transplant
• Ask the Expert enables individuals to anonymously pose questions concerning transplantation and to have them answered by transplant specialists
• Lifeline Fund provides financial support to help cover the costs of donor searches, medications, home and child care services, medical equipment, transportation, cord blood banking, housing costs and other expenses associated with transplant
• Carelines provides social media tools for crowdfunding, journaling and a volunteer task calendar for anyone with a cancer diagnosis or receiving a bone marrow, stem cell or cord blood transplant 
• Your Transplant Journey Handbook provides comprehensive transplant information and resources
   

Children age 16 and younger, who have commercial health insurance.

The UnitedHealthcare Children’s Foundation (UHCCF) is a non-profit charity dedicated to enhancing the quality of children’s lives through much needed medical grants. These medical grants help improve access to medical services and items that are not covered, or not fully covered, by a family’s current commercial health insurance plan. Besides being 16 years old or younger and covered by a commercial health insurance plan, a child must be diagnosed with a current or ongoing medical need, be receiving treatment by a qualified medical practitioner in the US and meet certain financial criteria to qualify.

Grants may be provided for:

• Help with medical services costs
• Help with medication costs
• Medical supplies and equipment
• Costs associated with transplant
• Air and ground transportation for medical appointments