New HealthWell Foundation Fund Offers Financial Assistance to People Living with Homocystinuria
Copayment and Premium Assistance Now Available to Eligible Patients
GERMANTOWN, Md. — April 19, 2017 — The HealthWell Foundation®, an independent non-profit that provides a financial lifeline for inadequately insured Americans, has launched a new fund to provide assistance to patients living with homocystinuria to obtain prescription medications for the treatment and management of their condition. Through the fund, HealthWell will provide up to $5,000 in copayment or premium assistance to eligible patients with annual household incomes up to 500 percent of the federal poverty level.
According to HCU Network America, homocystinuria is elevation of the amino acid, homocysteine (a protein building block), in the urine or blood. Acquired forms of elevated homocysteine are usually due to lack of vitamins B6 (pyridoxine), B9 (folate), or B12 in one’s diet or the inability of the stomach to absorb the vitamins.
Danae’ Bartke, Executive Director, HCU Network America, said, “The financial burden for families with homocystinuria is monumental. Not only are there numerous doctor’s appointments and labs, but there are additional costs of medication, dietary formula and low protein foods.” Ms. Bartke continued, “While some states require coverage of varying degrees, other states have no required coverage, placing the burden of paying for these lifelines on the patients who are sometimes in tremendous debt. HCU Network America is pleased to be able to present the HealthWell Foundation as a means for copay and premium assistance for eligible HCU patients.”
“Providing assistance to people living with homocystinuria to help them receive treatment and manage their condition will hopefully ease some of the financial burden many of these patients have to overcome,” said Krista Zodet, HealthWell Foundation President. “Thanks to the continued generosity of our donors, we are able to offer copayment and premium assistance through the fund, which will allow patients to focus on their treatment and not on their bills.”
To determine eligibility and apply for financial assistance, visit HealthWell’s Homocystinuria Fund page. To learn how you can support this or other HealthWell programs, visit HealthWellFoundation.org.
About the HealthWell Foundation
A nationally recognized, independent non-profit organization founded in 2003, the HealthWell Foundation has served as a safety net for more than 250,000 underinsured patients in more than 50 disease areas by providing access to life-changing medical treatments they otherwise would not be able to afford.
HealthWell provides financial assistance to adults and children facing medical hardship resulting from gaps in their insurance that cause out-of-pocket medical expenses to escalate rapidly. HealthWell assists with the treatment-related cost-sharing obligations of these patients. For more information, visit www.HealthWellFoundation.org.
About HCU Network America
HCU Network America is dedicated to patients with HCU and related disorders to help them manage their disease. HCUNA supports research to improve diagnosis and treatment, including a cure for the disease, and provides information and resources to help those living with homocystinuria better manage their disease. To learn more, visit: http://hcunetworkamerica.org/
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