Federal and State Programs that Help Pay Medical Bills Applications – Paying unexpected medical bills can be overwhelming but some options offer financial relief to low income individuals. There are a lot of Free Government Grants for low income families that enable them to pay medical bills and reduce their debt. Unpaid medical debt can add stress and affect your credit score therefore discuss the healthcare cost upfront with hospitals and healthcare providers. In case your medical bill is larger than your capability, ask for help through patient assistance programs. This guide will throw light on federal and state programs that help people with medical bills.
Highlights of this Post
How Can You Reduce Your Medical Bill And Qualify For Federal And State Government Programs?
The process of applying for federal and state assistance programs to reduce medical bills may vary depending on the organization or program you are seeking help from. The grant-giving authorities will ask you certain questions related to your age, income, and medical condition before extending a helping hand.
Moreover, candidates have to prove their eligibility by giving relevant supportive documents at the time of applying for the program. Government-funded programs provide direct benefits to the citizens therefore locating an organization backed by the federal state government is the first and foremost step to looking for medical assistance.
Visit the official website of the program or the organization to become aware of the eligibility, application, and documents. In case you are unable to qualify for federal or state government programs the next step is to look for support from nonprofit and private organizations that assist needy people with medical bills.
Documents Required To Apply For Federal And State Programs To Reduce Medical Bills
While applying for federal and state-sponsored programs to reduce your medical bills you need to fulfill the eligibility criteria set by the program and provide relevant evidence in the form of supporting documents such as the following
- Recommendation and cover letter
- Application form
- Income proof certificate
- Copy of bank passbook
- List of earlier grants received
- Medical documents by qualified healthcare professionals or authorized clinics
- Proof of citizenship
- A valid Social Security number
Proof of identification
Individuals and families applying for federal and state programs need to visit the official website and become aware of the eligibility criteria, the application procedure, the deadlines and the relevant documents to be submitted before applying. Doing in-depth research and locating the website will help you to know the available programs that you are eligible for.
Agencies And Other Resources That Help People With Medical Bills
Department of health and human services
The Department of Health and Human Services helps to pay medical expenses to low income families. They provide different facilities related to emergency medicare. You need to check their website to find a suitable program for you. Details are available on their website. You can directly mail them or call them.
Health resources and services Administration
Health resources and services Administration aims to provide equal facilities to people who are culturally and financially compensated. They have different child care and medical assistance for you if you display necessary documents. You will get every facility if you qualify for the programs. Check your eligibility criteria before applying.
Find a health care center
The Find a health care center provides opportunities for low cost medical facilities for you and your families. You can also avail the facilities of dental care within the center. You are hereby instructed to check their official website to understand the way of their working procedures.
Healthcare.gov
healthcare.gov provides opportunities with insurance, affordable care act, and other options to reduce medical bills etc.
healthfinder.gov
You can use gov’s list of prescription support to get more information about the organizations who can provide you assistance with your prescribed medications bills.
Local health center
Based on the income and number of family members, Local health centers also have some programs to help people with little income. To qualify for it you need to display authentic income certificates to respective organizations
Local Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offices
Local Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offices are especially organized for retired veterans. A community has been designed for veterans to understand that military facilities can be very beneficial.
State Medicaid offices
State Medicaid offices provide help to people who have low income. You must contact them if you come under this category to reduce your cost of living.
What Are The Available Federal And State Programs That Help To Cover Medical Bills?
Medical bills are a major hindrance that prevents people from getting adequate care and is a substantial cause of financial stress following their diagnosis. There are many useful government programs that help people cover their medical bills or qualify for discounted price services. The following is the list of federal and state programs that enable them to cover medical bills and reduce their economic burden.
Medicare
The federally funded Medicare program offers medical insurance and assistance to elderly people who are more than 65 years of age and in some cases younger people with disabilities. There are different Medicare programs available that provide different types of assistance based on the medical needs and procedures.
Following are the different components of Medicare that will help you to meet your medical bills.
- Medicare Part A: This part of the Medicare program covers inpatient hospital stays, hospice care, care in a skilled nursing facility, and other forms of healthcare services.
- Medicare Part B: This part of the Medicare program covers doctor services, preventive services for medical supplies, and outpatient care
- Medicare Part D: This part of the Medicare program covers prescription drugs like vaccines and shots.
Once you enroll in the federal Medicare program you have options to receive coverage and reduce your medical bills. The eligibility requirement to get coverage requires recipients to be 65 years or above in age and in some cases, younger adults less than 65 years suffering from end-stage renal disease or disability can qualify.
Extra Help
The function of the federal Medicare program is known as Extra Help which provides additional medical coverage and assistance to people with their prescription drug costs. The program offers services and coverage that are not included in the original Medicare plan such as Part A and Part B Medicare programs.
The recipients of the program are required to belong to the low-income category and be citizens of the United States to qualify for assistance. You can apply for the extension of the Medicare program by visiting the Social Security Administration website.
The extra help is known as Medicare supplement insurance or Medicare which covers the cost for a few part A&B services and can also include additional benefits such as international coverage however it comes with its own premiums and may vary by plan and your personal circumstance.
Medicaid
One of the largest health insurance providers throughout the United States of America is the Medicaid program. This government-funded program offers healthcare coverage to low-income individuals and families. It has provided health insurance to more than 70 million Americans till date.
The eligibility requirements of the program may vary depending on your state of residence, age, household size, income, and disability. As the program is administered by every state the application and eligibility criteria vary widely however the federal rules require coverage for individuals who belong to the low-income category.
The program covers the following:
- Pregnant women with annual household income below 133% of the federal poverty level
- Low-income families including parents who can meet the financial requirements of the Medicaid program
- Infants and children belonging to low-income families with annual income less than 133% of the federal poverty level
- Disabled, blind or aged individual receiving assistance under the SSI program
- Former foster care youth
- Permanent legal resident immigrants
- Children receiving adoption assistance for foster care or kinship guardianship assistance under the Social Security Administration
- People who are eligible for the qualified Medicare beneficiary program.
The income requirements of the program also vary widely as some states provide expanded Medicaid coverage and so individuals up to 138% of the federal poverty level can also receive assistance.
CHIP, Children’s Health Insurance Program
CHIP or Children’s Health Insurance Program offers low-cost medical assistance to families who are unable to meet the eligibility requirements for the Medicaid program as they earn a bit higher income but cannot afford insurance through the private marketplace.
The Children’s Health insurance program is aligned with Medicaid and offers low-income families with children to cover their medical needs. The requirements of this program may differ depending on your state of residence.
The Medicaid program partners with the Children’s Health insurance program to cover the medical bills of kids whose parents are unable to afford insurance coverage or those who are not provided medical insurance through their employer. Parents who can fulfill the eligibility criteria of the program can provide low-cost or free medical care for their children.
Supplemental Security Income
A Social Security program known as Supplemental Security Income is funded by the US Treasury and differs from other types of Social Security benefits since the availability of the program is not based on the employment of the candidates. SSI payments are paid to qualified recipients on the 1st of each month.
In a few states recipients of the program receive Medicaid assistance to cover their medical bills. The eligibility criteria for Supplemental Security Income requires candidates to be blind, disabled, or senior citizens 65 years or above in age and have limited savings and income.
They should be a citizen of the United States or legal residents and must not be absent from the United States of America for a full calendar year. You can apply for the program by visiting the Social Security Administration website.
Health Insurance Marketplace
Also known as Obamacare, the Affordable Care Act offers access to private insurance coverage for individuals and families who are uninsured including those who cannot access insurance through their employment.
The health insurance marketplace enables people to view their Affordable Care Act options and also enroll themselves in insurance coverage as per their needs and preferences.
The qualification requirement states applicants to be a citizen of the United States, dwell in the United States, and should not be incarcerated. To apply for the program you can visit the official health insurance marketplace website.
Department Of Veterans Affairs
The Department of Veteran Affairs provides healthcare assistance and medical equipment to reduce the medical debt of senior veterans and their family members. One of the largest integrated healthcare systems in the United States of America is the Veterans Health Administration which provides financial assistance and government grants to low-income veterans as well as disabled seniors.
The department reduces the medical bills of senior veterans by providing preventive care services, hospital beds, inpatient hospital services, and urgent or emergency care at VA health centers. Dial the toll-free number 1-877-222-8387 or visit the official Veterans Health Administration website to apply for medical assistance
Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly Benefits (PACE)
The PACE program includes all services that are necessary by doctors to maintain and improve a person’s health. The program provides services in an adult day health center and is implemented by referral services and in-home solutions as per their needs.
Elderly people can enroll in the program to reduce their medical needs and get services in the form of dentistry, adult daycare, home care, emergency services, hospital care, laboratory services, medical specialty services, meals, nursing home care, occupational therapy, nutritional counseling, prescription drugs, recreational therapy, primary care, social work counseling, social services, and transportation.
Elderly people receive comprehensive medical attention, care, and supportive services that are required for long-term care in their home environment. The eligibility criteria of the program require elderly people to be a minimum of 55 years of age and live in a PACE eligible area. It covers Medicaid and Medicare services including those treatments and services that are not covered by these two programs.
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
Each state has different TANF programs and they have unique operating status for low income families. They have different names in different places. It is a type of welfare program which is specifically designed to support low income families by paying for their food, job training, rents, child care, household bills and in some cases medical costs. You are instructed to visit the Local TANF office to find out whether you are eligible or not.
Also learn How to get free Durable Medical Equipment
State Programs That Reduce Medical Bills
There are a variety of grants funded by the federal government and distributed to state governments to improve the overall well-being and health condition of citizens. To apply for state-funded programs to reduce your medical debt you need to contact the state agency providing the grant, fulfill the eligibility criteria, and fill out the application form with relevant documents within the deadline.
Some of the state government programs that help people reduce their medical bills and help them receive medical assistance or as follows
- Support Program or AFCSP
- Foundation (PATF) Pennsylvania Access
- Alaska Senior Access Program Hawaii
- Foundation Loan Program Kentucky
- Home and Family Support Utah
- Community Living Program Iowa
- Persons and Family Support New Jersey
- Assistive Technology/Home
- Supported Living Program Nebraska
Read Also: How To Get Free Hospital Beds For Elderly
Nonprofit Organization That Helps People To Cover Medical Bills
There are a lot of nonprofit organizations that provide assistance to people with medical bills in addition to government-funded programs. The Charitable organizations that help pay medical bills are as follows.
HealthWell Foundation
The HealthWell Foundation operates under the slogan ‘when health insurance is not adequate’ and provides access to good quality healthcare to underinsured people. The foundation offers financial assistance for health insurance premiums, prescription copays, deductibles, travel costs, and pediatric treatment for medical care.
The eligibility criteria to receive assistance through this foundation and reduce your medical bill is to have some form of health insurance coverage and must be receiving treatment in the United States for the diseases covered by the foundation.
Patient Access Network Foundation
Underinsured people who are unable to meet their medical bills while battling rare, life-threatening, and chronic diseases can receive funds through the Patient Access Network to pay for their treatment or care.
The network offers assistance for travel costs, copays, and health insurance premiums. The recipients of the foundation are required to fall below the poverty line of the United States of America and have health insurance.
They must be receiving medication and treatment for a qualifying disease as well. Even though citizenship is not a mandatory requirement candidates must be receiving treatment within the United States of America.
Patient Advocate Foundation
The Patient Advocate Foundation offers no-cost medical services to patients and helps them reduce the economic burden that arises due to medical diagnosis and treatment. The foundation offers copay relief, confidential grants and financial assistance programs to candidates who can meet the eligibility criteria of the program.
Case management services and grants are available to candidates who are diagnosed with life-threatening, chronic diseases and those who are residents of the United States of America.
Eldercare Locator
A free support service known as Eldercare Locator is designed for elderly people and disabled individuals including those who are on Social Security. It assists people in finding medical assistance programs and reducing their medical bills. No matter whether you are looking for assistance from government or nonprofit organizations you can find a lot of useful referrals and solutions here.
NeedyMeds
NeedyMeds is a nonprofit organization that helps people reduce their medical bills by enabling them to find relevant programs that are useful resources. Individuals who are unable to afford prescription drugs or any other medical costs can look for low-cost or free clinics, free diagnosis, medications, transportation support, government healthcare programs, and many more help.
Good Days
The charity known as Good Days provides financial support to people who are suffering from life-altering and serious diseases. Some of the diseases that the organization covers and helps people pay their medical bills are cancers, hepatitis C, multiple sclerosis, eye conditions like retinal disease, macular disease etc.
RxHope
A nonprofit organization that collaborates with pharmaceutical companies to assist patients in receiving free or reduced-price prescription drugs is RxHope. The amount of assistance that you can receive from this organization will be based on the rules set by the pharmaceutical companies for the particular drug. Candidates have to meet the income criteria to qualify for the program.
National Organization for Rare Disorders
The National Organization for Rare Disorders assists patients who are suffering from life-threatening diseases and are unable to afford medical bills themselves. The organization offered much-needed financial support and covered a variety of diseases so that they could live a healthy life. Grant awards may vary for every program and you can visit the official website to learn how to apply for assistance and cover your medical needs.
Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
The organization Leukemia and Lymphoma Society provides a wide array of financial assistance and support to patients suffering from lymphoma and leukemia. Financial assistance includes a one-time grant award that may be $100 or more. You can also receive copay assistance for transportation grants and other types of financial assistance. To learn more about the program call 1-877-557-2672.
Families USA
Families USA offers medicare aid for people who unable to pay the bills for their families. They have their head office in Washington. You can directly mail them on their id or fax and calling options are also available for reaching them out.
Association for maternal and child care
Association for maternal and child care has different programs for both the mother and child, those who cannot afford the delivery bills during pregnancy and the bills for a newborn baby are eligible for this program. You can contact them at their number for assistance or drop a mail to their official website.
National patient advocate association
The National Patient Advocate Association has their office in Washington and provides aid to patients who needs emergency medicare or are unable to pay for hospital bills. Low income families can apply for this program to get financial assistance. You are instructed to contact their office directly by asking you queries.
Family Voices
Family Voices offers resources and communication facilities on the Internet for people with cognitive and other disabilities, for their families, and for those who provide services and support. This resource has a special interest in the care of children. To find out the resources you can check this link Resources state by state.
Conclusion
The increasing cost of healthcare in the United States of America keeps a lot of individuals up at night. Fortunately Federal and States government social programs such as Medicaid, Medicare, and CHIP offer millions of needy Americans free or low-cost insurance including the Affordable Care Act which has inaugurated a lot of insurance subsidies as well as cost-saving measures for insurance premium tax credits. There are even charities and foundations that assist uninsured patients or those whose insurance does not provide full coverage of medical care.
Frequently Asked Questions
How To Get Help With Prescription Bills?
Medicare’s Prescription Drug Program can give you extra support with prescription bills of drugs if you are eligible enough to get Medicare facilities.
What Are Medicaid Waivers?
Medicaid Waivers are a state-run program and help the person who doesn’t have enough money to bear the medical expenses. Families with low income can apply for these waivers who will only focus on the income of disabled persons. You can visit their website Medicaid Waivers and Medicare.
How To Get Help With Energy Bills?
LIHEAP is there to help you if you need assistance regarding your domestic bills. The program is basically designed for poor and low income families to support them with household and energy costs. They pay for low cost home repairs which tend to reduce monthly bills of your home. They even pay for hitting bills as well as cooling ones.
How to Get Free Food Benefits?
SNAP provides you with an electric transfer card which is more or less similar to a credit or debit card. Another name of SNAP is food stamps and they are federally funded. SNAP also has some eligibility criteria and you need to display the required documents to avail food benefits. You can use this card to pay your food bills and other payments of local retailers.
