Medical Bills Assistance Programs for Women

Health is of the utmost importance and when something goes wrong, it often requires immediate medical attention, whether you have the money or not. Medical care can then leave you with bills that stack up which can lead to collection efforts and stress. So what should you do and where can you turn for help? Here are several medical bill assistance programs you should know about.

Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)

CHIP is free or low-cost insurance available for children and teenagers up to the age of 19 who are uninsured. It covers dental and medical care. The rules to qualify vary by state but depend on the income of the household in which the child lives. You can apply by calling 1-877-543-7669 or by filling out an application through the health insurance marketplace. Learn more about the program and how it can cut down on medical bills for your children here.

Medicaid

If you are an adult with a low-income, Medicaid may be able to provide you with free or low-cost medical benefits. Eligibility depends on your age, how many people are in your family, your income level, and if you have a disability or are pregnant. You can find out if you qualify here. This program can help you save if you are having trouble affording a health insurance plan as well as the deductibles and bills that come with your care. Apply for Medicaid by contacting your state Medicaid agency or by flling out an application in the Health Insurance Marketplace.

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)

If you have came into a difficult time and can’t pay your medical bills, TANF can help you to get the assistance you need. If you qualify, you can receive help with child care, job training, food, energy bills, housing, and more. All of which can help you to pay your medical bills. It’s important to understand that TANF goes under a different name in each state. You can find the program in your state here. Further, find the contact info to apply here.

WISEWOMAN Program

The WISEWOMAN program stands for (Well-Integrated Screening and Evaluation for Women Across the Nation) and is a program established for women between the ages of 40 and 64 who have a low income, are uninsured, or are underinsured. It can help reduce you medicial bills by providing complimentary services.  The services aim to improve control of high blood pressure and other stroke and heart disease risk factors and include screenings, counseling, follow-up programs, and patient referrals for medical evaluations, management of health conditions, healthy lifestyle programs, low-cost medication resources, and more. Learn more here.

Charities

There are also charities throughout the U.S. which help people in need to pay for their medical bills. One is Cameron’s Crusaders. Others include:

• The HealthWell Foundation
• The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society
• CancerCare Copay Assistance Foundation
• The Patient Access Network

In addition to these, look for charities in your local area that focus on assisting with medical bills for those who are struggling to pay them.

Programs Through Medical Clinics and Hospitals

Many non-profit hospitals and medical clinics have charity programs which will reduce or cover medical bills for people who are in need. See this example. Check with the institutions to which you owe money to find out if they can help reduce them or enable you to begin a payment program that suits your budget. Further, prevent medical bills by choosing healthcare providers with these programs in place.

2-1-1

2-1-1 is a program put on by the United Way which is available in most states. You can contact them for emergencies as well as ongoing needs. They can help you to find financial assistance in your area, can provide referrals to health resources, can help you get transportation and more. Learn more about 2-1-1 services here.

Struggling with medical problems is stressful enough on its own, when you add the financial burden, it can be overwhelming. The good news is that there are programs out there to help. You don’t have to face it on your own or go into bankruptcy. Check out these programs and seek out help from your local government agency. You likely can get support through difficult times.