PROGRAM HIGHLIGHT: HEALTHWELL FOUNDATION
The HealthWell Foundation is a non-profit, charitable organization working to reduce barriers to medical care for patients with chronic and life-threatening diseases. The Foundation provides financial assistance to eligible patients to cover certain out-of-pocket health care costs, including:
- Prescription drug coinsurance, copayments, and deductibles
- Health insurance premiums
- Other selected out-of-pocket health care costs
The HealthWell Foundation takes into account an individual's financial, medical, and insurance situation when determining eligibility. Financial criteria are based on the federal poverty level, which takes into account a family’s size. Families with incomes up to four times the federal poverty level may qualify. The foundation also considers the cost of living in a particular city or state.
The Foundation asks for the patient's diagnosis, which must be verified by a physician signature, and the patient must receive treatment dispensed in the United States.
Individuals covered by private insurance, employer-sponsored plans, Medicare or Medicaid may be eligible.
The Foundation is able to help patients taking treatments for selected diseases. For an updated listing of diseases, please visit our Diseases page. The HealthWell Foundation adds new disease funds throughout the year, so please visit this site regularly for the latest information.
How it Works
The Foundation grants assistance on a first-come, first-served basis to the extent that funding is available.
When enrolled, the Foundation allocates each patient a grant for full or partial assistance for up to 12 months. Patients then submit invoices or receipts to receive monetary awards. The foundation typically sends awards directly to the insurer, pharmacy, physician, or other provider. However, in some cases it may send awards directly to patients to reimburse them for expenses they must pay themselves. The HealthWell Foundation does not restrict the medications that patients use as long as the medication is approved by the Food and Drug Administration and falls within a funded area. The Foundation also does not restrict the provider or pharmacy that the patient selects.
In 2006 the Foundation added 14 new funds, including non-small cell lung cancer, breast cancer, and age-related macular degeneration. Future priorities include plans to develop funds to support patients with MS, Osteoporosis and Sarcoma. Stay tuned for more information. T he HealthWell Foundation reports they awarded more than $51 million in grants to over 17,500 patients in 2006.
To apply online using “ HealthWell Express” go to: www.healthwellfoundation.org
The HealthWell Copayment Assistance Card program, allows patients to fill their prescriptions at the retail pharmacy without having to pay out of pocket.
For more information, please contact the Foundation at: support@healthwellfoundation.org or call 1-800-675-8416.
-Adapted from: e-mail “HealthWell Foundation assists over 20,000 patients in need” from “ The Pulse, a quarterly electronic update from the HealthWell Foundation”February 02, 2007 , forwarded by Kathy Clair-Hayes (thanks Kathy!).
2/07 (verified 08/2011)