| At one time or another, we all need help. With the high cost of medical care and prescriptions, it is good to know that there is assistance for those of us who qualify. This is a compilation of agencies and organizations that welcome your call. |
First inquire about assistance from local and state agencies:
Local - Contact a social worker at a local hospital or community agency.
State - Find agencies listed by state on the MD Support web site at www.mdsupport.org/resources/agencies_us.html
Then contact these organizations:
Association of Blind Citizens - Operates the Assistive Technology Fund, which provides funds to cover 50% of the retail price of adaptive devices or software.
Telephone: (781) 961-1023
Website: www.blindcitizens.org
Celebrate Sight - Coordinated by the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) offering free examinations and treatment for glaucoma to people who do not have medical insurance.
Telephone: 1-800-391-EYES
Website: www.aao.org/public/glaucoma/gl_2001.html
Chronic Disease Fund - Offers copay assistance for patients diagnosed with chronic disease, cancer and other life-altering conditions. Offer free drug programs for uninsured patients.
Telephone: (877) 968-7233
Website: www.cdfund.org/Patients.aspx
Co-Pay Relief Program - part of the Patient Advocate Foundation, this service helps pay for the co-pays for pharmaceutical treatments such as Visudyne, Macugen and Lucentis. All patients who carry primary insurance (even Medicare) are eligible. Reimbursements are possible retroactively for up to a year.
Telephone: 1-866-512-3861
Directory of Prescription Drug Patient Assistance Programs - Published by Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, identifies company programs that provide prescription medications free of charge to physicians for their needy patients.
Telephone: 1-800-PMA-INFO
Address: 549 Millburn Ave, P.O. Box 332, Short Hills NJ 07078-0332
Directory available online at www.phrma.org/patients
EyeCare America - National Eye Care Project, coordinated by the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO), provides free and low-cost eye exams for U.S. citizens 65 and older who have not had access to an ophthalmologist in the past three years.
Telephone: 1-800-222-EYES
Website: www.aao.org/public/pi/service/necp.htm
Lions Clubs International - Provides financial assistance to individuals for eye care through local clubs. There are Lions Clubs in most localities, and services vary from club to club. Check your telephone book for the telephone number and address of your local organization.
Telephone of National Office: (630) 571-5466
Website: www.lionsclub.org
Address: 300 E 22nd St, Oakbrook IL 60523
The Medicine Program - Assists people to enroll in one or more of the many patient assistance programs that provide prescription medicine free-of-charge to those in need. Patients must meet the sponsor's criteria. The program is conducted in cooperation with the patient's doctor.
Telephone: (573) 996-7300
Website: www.themedicineprogram.com
Address: P.O. Box 4182, Poplar Bluff MO 63902-4182
Mission Cataract USA - Coordinated nationally by the Volunteer Eye Surgeons' Association providing free cataract surgery to people of all ages who have no other means to pay. Free eye examinations and surgeries are scheduled annually on one day, usually in May.
Telephone: (800) 343-7265
New Eyes for the Needy - Provides vouchers for the purchase of new prescription eyeglasses.
Telephone: (973) 376-4903
Address: 549 Millburn Ave, P.O. Box 332, Short Hills NJ 07078-0332
Rx Assist - Help in accessing pharmaceutical companies' patient assistance programs.
Website: www.rxassist.org/Search.cfm
S.E.E. International - Free sight-restoring surgery for patients who are not eligible for any other social service programs. Referral required from a recognized social service organization.
Telephone: (805) 963-3303/1-80020-TO-SEE (86-733)
Website: www.seeintl.org
Address: 7200 Hollister Ave, Unit A, Goleta CA 93117
Sight for Students - A VSP Vision Care (VSP) program providing eye exams and glasses to children 18 years and younger whose families cannot afford vision care.
Telephone: 1-800-877-7195
Website: www.sightforstudents.org
Social Security Administration
Telephone: 1-800-772-1213
Website: www.ssa.gov
Vision USA- Coordinated by the American Optometric Association (AOA), provides free eye care to uninsured, low-income workers and their families. Screening for the program takes place only during January of each year, with exams provided later in the year.
Telephone: 1-800-766-4466
Website: www.aoa.org
Address: 243 North Lindbergh Blvd, St. Louis MO 63141