ORGANIZATIONS THAT HELP PAY MEDICAL BILLS

Looking for organizations that help pay medical bills? Here’s a list of organizations that could help. 

Last year, I had several complications with my pregnancy (with twins!). During each of my hospital stays (there were 3) I wasn’t just stressed about the health of my babies and my own health. I was weighed down heavily with the financial burden I would be facing when my medical bills came rolling in. Between that and the pandemic, I knew I’d need help to pay medical bills. Fortunately, we were members of a health share ministry and things worked out really well for us. I knew I wasn’t alone in how stressed I was feeling about the medical bills I’d be facing while I was receiving treatment. That’s a horrible way to feel when you are dealing with health problems in the first place. 

So, if you or a loved one has been stuffed with some heavy medical bills, here are some organizations that help pay medical bills who may be able to help. 

Cancer Care.

A cancer diagnosis can turn a person’s world upside down physically, mentally, emotionally, not to mention financially. Cancer Care provide cancer patients with financial assistance for cancer treatment such as chemotherapy. 

Childhood Cancer Organizations. 

There are few things more devastating than a cancer diagnosis and that is especially true if the patient is a child. There are many organizations that help provide cancer treatment for children. Here is a long list of organizations that specifically help with childhood cancer diagnosis. 

CHIP.

Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) helps millions of children and teens with medical and dental treatment. Many of these services are free or low cost. Children’s can receive CHIP until their are 19 years old if their house hold earns under $49,200 per year. 

Crowdfunding to help pay medical bills. 

While not technically an organization to help pay medical bills, crowd funding is becoming a solid option for people who can’t afford to pay their medical bills. If you or someone you love is having a hard time covering their bills, it’s easy to set up a fundraiser with websites like Gofundme. Note that Gofundme (and similar crowd sourcing websites) will take a percentage of donations made to the campaign. One way to get around this is through Venmo or other electronic payment apps and websites where you can raise money and have it sent directly to the person in need. 

Family Reach.

Family Reach is a non profit that helps cancer patients and their caregivers pay for treatment. They also teach financial literacy and aim to overcome socioeconomic barriers to cancer patients receiving the treatment they need. 

Health share ministries.

Another option to get help paying medical bills is to join a health share ministry. Most health share ministries will require that you join the ministry before your need arises before they’ll officially cover your bills. However, many health share ministries also help with pre-existing medical bills by sourcing their community and collecting donations on your behalf. You can read more about whether a health share ministry is right for you here. 

NeedyMeds.

NeedyMeds is an organization that helps pay medical bills by helping people find state sponsored organizations to help cover medical care. 

Supplemental Security Income.

SSI is a cash benefit for people who are elderly, blind, or have a disability and limited or no income or resources. SSI is not the same as social security benefits– it’s truly a cash benefit and as such can be used to help pay for medical bills if you qualify. Learn more here. 

United Way’s 211 Helpline.

United Way has a 211 helpline and website that connects people to essential health and human services. A local resource specialist in your area can then connect you to local organizations that can help. 

Healthwell Foundation.

The Healthwell Foundation is an organization that helps pay medical bills when health insurance isn’t enough. 

Hospital’s financial assistance. 

Be sure to contact your hospital for help paying medical bills. Many hospitals have their own financial assistance programs and are familiar with organizations that help pay medical bills in your community. 

Medicaid

Another organization that helps pay medical bills is the U.S. government’s Medicaid program. To be eligible for Medicaid, you’ll have to qualify under their Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI). Most states have their own eligibility screening for Medicaid to make it fast and easy.

Medicare 

Similarly, Medicare is available for individuals above age 65 to help cover medical bills. 

National Association for Free and Charitable Clinics

NAFCC provides a wide range of services to medically underserved populations and help patients find free clinics where they can receive care. Learn more here. 

National Jewish Health Financial Assistance.

NJH has a financial assistance program that helps pay medical bills for disadvantaged patients, regardless of religion or ability to pay. Approved patients can receive partial or full assistance for a variety of conditions. 

PACE.

Pace is a US government organization that provides medical services to people age 55 and older when they meet certain conditions. 

PAN. 

Patient Access Network Foundation (PAN) helps pay medical bills for underinsured people who struggle with life threatening and chronic diseases. Patients must fall below the US poverty line, have health insurance, and be receiving sligible medication for a qualifying disease. 

Patient Advocate Foundation.

This organization helps pay medical bills with financial grants and copay relief for patients who are diagnosed with chronic, life threatening diseases and for those seeking screening for a chronic life threatening disease. 

What if you can’t find an organization to help pay medical bills? You can learn what you can do when you can’t afford medical debt here.

Medical debt can feel extremely overwhelming at a time when you are worried about your health or the health of a loved one. Fortunately, there are many organizations that help pay medical bills. 

Here at Deeply in Debt, we help you understand the ins and outs of debt and how to get it paid off once and for all. If you’re ready to get started paying off debt, please grab our FREE guide– the Debt Payoff Starter Kit, to help you on your journey.