Hill-Burton Helps CF Families Needing Reduced Cost or No-Cost Medical Care

Living with cystic fibrosis takes its toll on a person's stamina, mental well-being, and almost always the family's finances. By applying through the United States' Department of Health and Human Services, families who are struggling to handle the heavy financial burden of cystic fibrosis can qualify for low-cost or no cost medical services as provided by certain hospitals that are contracted with Hill-Burton.

Although the application has very specific parameters, it's at least worth looking into. Extensive medical services to treat cystic fibrosis are hard to find, the list below may help you identify a Hill-Burton obligated facility in your area. You may apply for coverage before, after or during the time you are receiving health care.

Services that are applicable for cystic fibrosis patients and their families include newborn screening tests, and other lab work. Some facilities can provide home health care, such as home infusion therapy. Eligibility depends primarily on household income.

Unfortunately, there are no Hill-Burton obligated facilities in the following states:

• Indiana
• Nebraska
• Nevada
• Rhode Island
• Utah
• Wyoming

Steps to Apply for Hill-Burton Free or reduced-cost Care

1. Find the Hill-Burton obligated facility nearest you from the list of Hill-Burton obligated facilities.
2. Go to the facility's admissions or business office and ask for a copy of the Hill-Burton Individual Notice. The Individual Notice will tell you what income level makes you eligible for free or reduced-cost care, what services might be covered, and exactly where in the facility to apply.
3. Go to the office listed in the Individual Notice and say you want to apply for Hill-Burton free or reduced-cost care. You may need to fill out a form.
4. Gather any other required documents (such as a pay stub to prove income eligibility) and take or send them to the obligated facility.
5. If you are asked to apply for Medicaid, Medicare, or some other financial assistance program, you must do so.
6. When you return the completed application, ask for a Determination of Eligibility. Check the Individual Notice to see how much time the facility has before it must tell you whether or not you will receive free or reduced-cost care.

For more information, please check out the Hill-Burton fact sheet and FAQ

Sources of Financial Assistance

America's Challenge Foundation

To assure and provide financial support to children and their parents that do not have the financial resources to properly maintain adequate care that is required to; pay doctor, hospital, travel, lodging, and pharmaceutical expenses to improve the quality of life for those with CF disease. While other Cystic Fibrosis Foundations are focusing on funds for research and the prevention of Cystic Fibrosis, America's Challenge is assisting the patient and the parent's in their day to day existence.


The Genentech Endowment

Genentech is the maker of Pulmozyme. They have 3 methods of assistance. Visit this link to learn more. There are options for the insured as well as the uninsured.

Digestive Care, Inc.

This is the maker of Pancreacarb. They offer some assistance with paying for the all-important enzyme supplements.

The Reaching Out Foundation

• Emergency Assistance

The Foundation provides emergency funds to families who must live away from home to be near their loved one during their hospitalization for CF related illnesses. These funds pay for such items as hotel, transportation, food and other quality of life concerns during times of crisis.

• Insurance Assistance

The Foundation provides funds to families who would otherwise lose health insurance due to employment changes or other events. The fund helps qualified families with medical co-pay payments, COBRA payments or other insurance premiums.

• Nutritional Assistance

The Foundation provides funds to pay for prescribed nutritional supplements for Cystic Fibrosis patients. The ability to gain and maintain weight is a challenge to CF patients. Many must purchase special nutritional supplements and enzymes to achieve this goal and these supplements are often not covered by insurance.

Brief Guide To Navigating an HMO

According to the National Coalition on Health Care, most Americans have health care coverage through their employers. The percentage of the population without health insurance continues to steadily increase, even among the work force. For persons with chronic illness, gaining timely access to healthcare is essential.

A Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) may be the best option, especially for those whose conditions require ongoing treatment or visits to a specialist. The premiums for such coverage are higher than other forms of coverage, but the expense is a small price to pay when considering how much the HMO can offer. The key to making your insurance plan work for you is knowing exactly what the provider covers, and what steps must be taken to ensure you receive the benefits to which you are entitled.

Read the rest of the article here:
Making Insurance Issues Less Daunting

Financial Assistance: America's Challenge Foundation

America's Challenge Foundation (A public, non-profit 501-C-3 charitable foundation)

Their Mission Statement is as follows:

To assure and provide financial support to children, young adults and their parents that do not have the financial resources to properly maintain adequate care that is required to; pay for travel, lodging, pharmaceutical expenses, some medical bills and personal living expense to improve the quality of life for those with CF disease.

Founded in June, 1986, America's Challenge Foundation assists in providing financial support to parents of children with Cystic Fibrosis. Unlike other cystic fibrosis support programs, this resource is designed to provide direct financial assistance to cystic fibrosis patients and their caregivers. This financial assistance may include:

• Medicare coverage for lung transplants
• Lodging assistance for families who need to live near a treatment center
• Coverage of travel costs to be near a treatment center

In order to receive assistance, you must fill out a brief application. Visit the website for more information or contact them using the information below.

Contact Info:

Tom H. LaValley, Chairman/CEO
Benjamin O. Abbo, Vice Chairman
Michael G. Raymond, President
Telephone: 405-685-4744
Fax: 405-685-3174
Email: Eagle301@sbcglobal.net

Postal Address:

P.O. Box 890849

Oklahoma City, OK 73189-0849

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