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Living with a chronic illness takes a toll on the patient emotionally, physically, and financially. You may find yourself losing hours at work due to illness, with resulting loss of medical benefits. You may not have been insured at all and be faced with large debt due to hospital bills, Doctor's visits, and medications. Even if you maintain insurance, for those living week to week the sudden increase in office visit co-pays, co-pays for hospital stays and ER visits, and prescription co-pays may begin to drag you down. Within this page I hope to give you a few ideas on how to obtain medical attention without insurance and how to obtain low (or no) cost prescription meds. I heartily welcome any suggestions you may have to pass on to our members! -
Rx Assist - This site allows you to search for the meds that you use, and provides clear guidelines and instructions on how to obtain these meds with little to no expense. -
The Free Medicine Program - Allows you to work with the drug companies for basically free prescriptions. Their website explains how this program works. -
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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.
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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
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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 club. The telephone number for the national office is (630) 571-5466.
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Knights Templar Eye Foundation - provides assistance for eye surgery for people who are unable to pay or receive adequate assistance from current government agencies or similar sources. Mailing address: 5097 North Elston Avenue, Suite 100, Chicago, IL 60630-2460. Telephone: (773) 205-3838. E-mail: ktef@knightstemplar.org. Website: Knights Templar Eye Foundation. -
Sight for Students - A Vision Service Plan (VSP) program in partnership with The Entertainment Industry Foundation, provides eye exams and glasses to children 18 years and younger whose families cannot afford vision care. Telephone: 1-888-290-4964. Website: Sight for Students. -
New Eyes for the Needy - provides vouchers for the purchase of new prescription eyeglasses. Mailing address: 549 Millburn Avenue, P.O. Box 332, Short Hills, NJ 07078-0332. Telephone: (973) 376-4903. - Directory of Prescription Drug Patient Assistance Programs (1999-2000) - 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.
Site Member Valerie sent me a reminder about many hospitals and the financial programs they offer. Generally you can find information about these programs through the financial department of the hospital. Valerie is from AR, and even while working received help with visits (and got her medicines directly from the hospital for free). Of course different states and different hospitals will offer different programs, but please not not allow a lack of insurance to stop you from seeking medical care. You may also be surprised that some physicians offer discounted (and even no-cost) care. Inquire within their billing departments.
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