How to get Help with Medical Bills without Insurance

Many organizations help pay medical bills. Those without health insurance or low incomes need financial assistance with medical bills and prescription drugs.

There has been an increased need for healthcare assistance for several years. Doctor bills can pile up, especially if you need health insurance to offset the costs. However, these bills can take up most of your family’s income.

We will show you government and private agencies and resources to help pay medical bills. Assistance can include:

• Prescription assistance programs.
• Free and discounted dental care.
• Free medical care for those without insurance coverage.

These agencies do not give money. However, they will provide bill discounts. Additionally, the hospital can refer you to a social worker for further assistance.

15 Organizations that Help Pay Medical Bills

Let’s look at free or discounted health care and prescription assistance programs. These programs offer free help with medical bills, dental care, and prescription drugs. However, not everyone is eligible for this assistance.  

However, your gross family income must be at or below 400% of the federal government’s poverty guidelines.  Please check out the organizations below if you need help paying medical bills or prescriptions.

1. National Jewish Health Financial Assistance

National Jewish Health’s vision is to care for all who need help paying medical bills. Their goal is to help disadvantaged families, regardless of religion or ability to pay.

They also have their own medical and financial assistance program, NJFAP. Their policy is to assist low-income and disadvantaged patients. After the screening, approved patients can receive partial or complete assistance.

They do not pay:

• Insurance co-pays
• Medicaid, CICP co-pays
• Patient convenience
• Meals and lodging
• Services provided by non-national Jewish Healthcare providers
• Patients whose income exceeds 400% of the Federal Poverty level, unless the medical balance is over $500 for local and $2,000 for out-of-state patients.  National Jewish Health

Am I Eligible?

National Jewish Health offers financial assistance to eligible patients in need. To find out more and apply:

• Contact their Financial Counseling Department: Call 303.398.1065 to learn how to apply and determine if you qualify.  
• Review their Financial Assistance Policy:  Request a copy by calling or visiting the Financial Counseling office at National Jewish Health’s main campus. The policy outlines the eligibility criteria and the application process. 

Here are some key points to remember:

• National Jewish Health’s financial assistance program is called the Financial Assistance Policy (FAP).
• They offer help with applying for charity care and other financial assistance programs.
• Their counselors can also help you understand your financial responsibility for medical services.

Contact the National Jewish Health for the most up-to-date information and financial assistance.

2.  The Access Project

The Access Project (TAP) is a non-profit organization founded in 1998 that is committed to helping families struggling with medical debt. Its goals are to support communities, improve healthcare, and increase options for low-income families needing medical care.

The help with Medical Debt Resolution works with insurance and medical care providers and financial support to pay medical bills and other debt related to medical care.  They also work with other assistance programs that give much-needed assistance.

The Access Project 
30 Winter Street,
7th Floor Boston, MA 02108
617- 654-9911

Eligibility and How to Apply

• Eligibility:
  • You must demonstrate financial need.
  • Your legal issue must fall within their areas of service. You can find out more on their website: https://accessprojectca.org/.
• How to Apply:
  • They don’t take applications directly from individuals. Instead, their website has resources to help you find the proper legal services organization within their network to contact for help.

3.  Aunt Bertha

Aunt Bertha is an online social care network and database. This database helps patients locate free or low-cost medical care. It also helps with social needs like finding free food, job retraining, etc. To find help, go to Aunt Bertha and enter your zip code to start your journey to finding the help you need.

4.  The PAN Foundation (Patient Access Network)

The PAN Foundation specializes in helping people with chronic, rare, and life-threatening diseases.   Additionally, they help with treatments as well as obtaining medication.

5.  American Cancer Society (ACS)

The ACS is a national agency with chapters in every state.  Their resources include counseling, education, and listings on low-cost healthcare options, such as lodging for family members if you’re away from home.  You may also get minor financial reimbursement for supplies, transportation, and drugs.    Call 1-800-227-2345.

6.  Clinic Sliding Fee Scale

A sliding scale is a method of charging a client according to their ability to pay.  Moreover, many hospitals and local agencies offer a sliding scale, which reduces medical bills at clinics and emergency rooms.  Those uninsured or underinsured can apply and receive help when they qualify financially.  You may be eligible for help paying medical bills or free medical and pharmacy services.  How to get approved for the sliding scale:

• Make an appointment
• Bring proof of identity.
• Present proof of income
• Sign consent for pulling your W-6

Once approved, you will be given a card to present to the doctor’s office or pharmacy.  Contact your local hospital and ask about the sliding scale and other payment arrangements.

7.  The National Association of Free and Charitable Clinics (NAFCC)

This organization is a non-profit organization that helps patients find affordable healthcare.  They refer clients to over 1,200 free clinics throughout the United States.  In addition, these free clinics support the community with accessible and reasonable health care for low-income families.  If you do not qualify for Medicare or Medicaid or have insurance, the NAFCC can help you find the respect you deserve.

8.  Free Medicine for Hepatitis C (genotype 1)

Pharmaceutical companies make billions of dollars a year.  Most of them offer discounted or free medications to disadvantaged patients.  That is to say, most people can not afford this drug without financial assistance.

Gilead Sciences produce a new medication for patients with Hepatitis C (genotype 1).  Moreover, Harvoni has a 90% cure rate for those who use the drug program.  If you qualify financially, you can get the medication for a discount or free.

Those who help to pay medical bills may qualify for free or discounted prescription drugs.  Harvoni has a 96 – 99% cure rate got Hepatitis C after 12 weeks of therapy.  Talk to your physician to see if you qualify for the treatment and if you are.  They will put in the application for you.

You can also go to the link below to download an application.  If you have insurance, your doctors can negotiate with your insurance company for approval.  If you need help paying medical bills, contact the hospital about the sliding fee scale.  Sliding scale programs pay up to 100 % of medical bills and prescriptions.  You may have to pay for radiology fees like reading sonograms, ex-rays, etc.

9.  The HealthWell Foundation

The organization helps pay prescriptions, co-pay deductibles, pediatrician bills, and long-distance travel expenses.  In 2019 alone, HealthWell has allocated over $610 million in grants.

10.  Bridges to Access

Bridges to Access offers certain GSK (GlaxoSmithKline) drugs free to financially qualified patients.  Patients can apply directly.  If you need a prescription filled immediately.  Moreover, an advocate can contact Bridges to Access for expedited help.  Contact  8:00 am to 8:00 pm ET, Monday through Friday.  1-866-728-4368.

11.  The RX Advocate

They work with your physician to locate and file for medication from Patience Assistance Programs.  Additionally, pharmaceutical companies that offer drug assistance will be contacted.  Likewise, they also manage refills to ensure you receive your medicines delivered on time.

12.  Medicaid

Medicaid is a government program that helps disadvantaged families with free or low-cost medical and dental care.  Consequently, this medical program covers adults with children, pregnant women, individuals with disabilities, and the elderly.  To find out if you are eligible for help, go to medicaid.gov.  Medicaid is based on your gross family income, family size, and state.

13.  Medicare

Medicare is the federal health insurance program for adults 65 and above, adults under 65 with disabilities, and those with kidney failure on dialysis or requiring a transplant (ESRD).   Part A (hospital coverage, in-home care, skilled nursing), B (doctors’ visits, yearly checkups, medical equipment, etc., and additionally, Part D (prescription plans).

14.  CHIP (Children’s Health Insurance Program)

CHIP is a medical program for families that earn too much to receive Medicare.  In addition, rules may vary from state to state, so contact CHIP in your state to see if you qualify.  This discount program covers dental, vaccinations, physician visits, vision, in and outpatient hospital care, lab work, and emergency room visits.  To find out more, call 1-800-318-2596

15.  Partnership for Prescription Assistance

PPA helps patients without prescription drug coverage to get medicine free or discounted.  That is to say.  They are a hub to access 475 public and private programs.  About 200 biopharmaceutical companies participate in PPA.  Go online to see which medicines are available and how to apply and receive free medication.  In conclusion, you can also locate a free or low-cost clinic online.

Some of PPA Partners:

• Abbvie
• Bayer
• Celgene
• Lilly
• Merck
• Novartis
• Pfizer
• Sanofi
• Takeda
• AstraZeneca
• Takeda Oncology
• Encourage Foundation
• The Safety Net Foundation
• Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals
• Boehringer Ingelheim Cares Foundation
• Johnson & Johnson Patient Assistance Foundation, Inc.