Some organizations can help you afford hepatitis C treatment if insurance doesn’t cover it:
Pharmaceutical Programs
Even with insurance, the copay or deductible for hepatitis C medication may be prohibitively high. Pharmaceutical companies offer copay assistance programs to reduce these costs for people who qualify. The companies also provide medications free of charge to lower-income individuals who are uninsured or underinsured and do not receive support from Medicaid or Medicare.
To find out more about program specifics, speak to your healthcare provider or insurance carrier. You can also contact the pharmaceutical companies directly. Here are some companies’ patient assistance programs and the brand names of the drugs they cover:
To apply for drug assistance programs, you may be asked for information such as your annual household income, the number of people who live in your household, and the type of health insurance you have (if any), among other questions.
The American Liver Foundation
The American Liver Foundation is a nonprofit organization that provides education, promotes advocacy, and offers assistance to people and caregivers affected by liver disease. The organization provides a free downloadable resource support guide that can help you find financial assistance.
NeedyMeds
NeedyMeds is a nonprofit dedicated to improving access to affordable healthcare for people who need it. Through their program database, the organization provides information about dozens of assistance programs that can help with medication costs, health insurance premiums, travel costs, and other expenses.
It also offers a free drug discount card, which can be used to purchase prescription medications, over-the-counter medications, and medical supplies. The website features a database to locate free and low-cost medical clinics by ZIP code.
Help-4-Hep
Help-4-Hep is a free helpline for people with hepatitis C that’s staffed by peer counselors, who can help you find financial resources for treatment and information about doctors and support groups. The lines are open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (closed on legal holidays). Call 877-HELP-4-HEP (877-435-7443).
The Assistance Fund
The Assistance Fund is a nonprofit organization that helps people who are facing high out-of-pocket medical expenses, including hepatitis C costs. The organization provides financial assistance for coinsurance, copays, deductibles, and other health-related expenses.
You can apply for hepatitis C funding on their website or, if the spots fill up, submit a request to be placed on the waiting list. The waiting list expires at the end of each calendar year, so you must reapply at the beginning of every year.
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