Our Program

What is the HealthWell Foundation?

The HealthWell Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization established in 2003 that is committed to addressing the needs of individuals with insurance who cannot afford their copayments, coinsurance, and premiums for important medical treatments. Our vision is to ensure that no patient goes without health care because they cannot afford it.

As patients are required to pay a larger share of health care costs each year, even many individuals with insurance find health care unaffordable. These patients face challenges affording the treatments they need to fight chronic and life-altering medical conditions. The HealthWell Foundation was established to address and alleviate this problem.

Our mission is to reduce barriers to care for underinsured patients with chronic or life-altering diseases.

What does underinsured mean?

Underinsured patients are those patients with some health care coverage, whether through a private insurance plan, Medicare or Medicaid, but who still have trouble paying the out-of-pocket costs associated with their medical treatment. Their insurance may be a plan with high premiums, copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles, or they may be faced with a catastrophic, chronic or life-threatening diagnosis. According to the Consumer Reports National Research Center, 42.5 million Americans are underinsured.

How is HealthWell funded?

HealthWell receives donations from a number of sources in and outside of the healthcare industry, including corporate and individual contributors. The Foundation is entirely independent and is not controlled or influenced by any of its donors. The assistance that HealthWell provides to patients is based on objective criteria that the Foundation applies consistently and in accordance with applicable laws. As a copayment assistance foundation, HealthWell operates within a complex regulatory framework. The regulations governing the healthcare industry, as well as a favorable Advisory Opinion that the Office of Inspector General (OIG) issued to HealthWell, set standards that HealthWell must meet to stay in compliance with applicable laws. According to the OIG opinion, the Foundation may not disclose the identity of its donors.

Through the generosity of all of our donors, HealthWell has already provided financial assistance to over 100,000 patients who, without such assistance, would likely have been unable to afford the critical treatments they needed. It is our sincere desire to help as many patients as possible afford the medical treatments they need.

990s, Financials and Annual Report

 

Testimonial

If not for the help I have received to help with my insurance premium assistance, I would not have been able to receive the medication for my rheumatoid arthritis. I genuinely do not what I would have done without the help of this foundation, since my prescription is vital for me to have mobility. My limitations and inability to pay for my medicine is also due to my husband's cardiac condition after suffering multiple strokes, and most recently costly chemo treatments for bladder cancer. We have extreme medical bills, therefore it goes beyond appreciation - HealthWell has been a lifesaver for me. The caring and efficient staff have made it a pleasant experience for me every time I have had to call with a question.

—Verna, Red Hill, PA

Tell us your HealthWell Story

Our Impact

  • Over 46,500 patients assisted in 2009.
  • 21,000 callers assisted each month.
  • $137 million+ awarded to patients in 2009.
  • Over 100,000 patients helped to date.