Share with others! EyeMelanoma.org gets you quickly to the info & resources you need
Share with others! EyeMelanoma.org gets you quickly to the info & resources you need
On this page, you will find resources that provide:
>> A Cure In Sight's Financial Assistance Program
"ACIS provides financial support to patients who are financially devastated by the diagnosis and treatment of ocular melanoma."
>> Ocular Melanoma Foundation's Free Eye Exam Program
"OMF will pay for you to get a free dilated eye exam at the provider of your choice." NOTE: Anyone can apply to participate in this program, not only OM patients.
>> Ocular Melanoma Foundation's Prosthetic Assistance Program
"Financial assistance for OM-related doctor-prescribed ocular and facial prosthetics. [...] Applications will be evaluated solely on need."
>> Ocular Melanoma Foundation's Travel Assistance Program
"Financial aid for OM treatment-related travel. [...] Applications will be evaluated solely on need."
Nonprofit Organizations Providing Financial Assistance Databases:
>> Cancer Financial Assistance Coalition
CFAC provides a searchable online database in order to "find assistance from organizations providing financial or practical help."
>> FamilyReach.org
Enter your zip code to "search for resources that help with everyday costs during cancer treatment like food, housing, transportation, utilities, and more."
>> Patient Advocate Foundation
"There are national and regional resources dedicated to improve access to quality care and decrease the financial burden of medical treatment, and we can help you locate them quickly and easily" using PAF's National Financial Resource Directory.
>> Triage Cancer
"Searching for financial assistance while dealing with cancer can be taxing. This section of the Toolkit will help you find the resources you need."
Nonprofit Organizations Focusing on Prescription Medications:
>> MedicineAssistanceTool.org
"Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America's Medicine Assistance Tool is a search engine designed to help patients, caregivers, and health care providers learn more about the resources available through the various biopharmaceutical industry programs."
"NeedyMeds is an online information resource of programs." In the "Do you need help with the cost of your medications?" section, you will find: "Patient assistance programs" for prescriptions; "Organizations in your area that assist patients with completing prescription assistance program applications"; and "Coupon and rebates info."
>> SIRUM.org
"SIRUM (Supporting Initiatives to Redistribute Unused Medicine) is not licensed to give medicine directly to individuals and families. If your healthcare costs are too high, you may be able to access free or affordable medicine through SIRUM’s network of community healthcare partners and other safety-net providers." See their links to nonprofit pharmacies, federally qualified health centers, and free community clinics.
Air Travel:
"Volunteer Pilot Organizations help patients in need access distant medical care or supportive services by arranging free flights through volunteer pilots."
"Comprised of network member organizations who cover specific geographical service areas and coordinate volunteer pilot flights."
"Helps cancer patients access the best treatment by arranging free travel on corporate aircraft."
"We provide assistance in the air with commercial airline tickets and volunteer pilots and on the ground with gas cards and bus and train tickets."
>> Miracle Flights
"Provides free commercial airline tickets to those in need of life-changing medical care far from home."
>> PALS SkyHope
"The Patient AirLift Services’ network of volunteer pilots provide free regional medical flights [in Eastern United States] and receive no compensation."
Lodging:
"Each Hope Lodge [currently 32 locations] offers cancer patients and their caregivers a free place to stay when their best hope for effective treatment may be in another city."
"If you or someone you love is receiving care at a VA or military medical center, check the list of current houses. There is never a charge to stay. [...] Fisher Houses are owned and operated by the Department of Defense or Department of Veterans Affairs in association with the attached hospital."
>> Healthcare Hospitality Network
"Our members provide lodging and support services to patients and their caregivers while they are receiving medical treatment away from their home communities."
>> Joe's House
"We list cancer treatment centers and hospitals across the country with nearby lodging facilities that offer a discount."
"Open Arms homes are located throughout many of MAA's Apartment Communities [in 12 states] in the U.S. The entire rent, along with basic utilities, are paid for by MAA and the Open Arms Foundation. Guests must be referred to Open Arms homes through their treatment facility."
>> There may also be nonprofit organizations that focus on providing assistance with medical-related lodging in specific communities. Here are three that EyeMelanoma.org is aware of:
Hospitality Homes — Lodging near Boston, Massachusetts
Hosts for Hospitals — Lodging near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Hosts for Humanity — Lodging near Baltimore, Maryland
Also, check with the medical center you are traveling to — through its information desk and website — about potential lodging assistance from nonprofit organizations, special discounts or free lodging options, and any other lodging recommendations for their geographic area.
If you are unable to drive and do not have someone who can take you to your non-emergency medical appointments, there may be several possibilities for local assistance at no cost or low cost:
1) Your County's Nonprofit Organizations
In addition to the American Cancer Society, a variety of organizations in your community may have volunteer drivers or reduced-cost transportation programs.
>> American Cancer Society's "Road to Recovery" Program in Your Area
"The Road To Recovery Program provides [free] transportation to and from treatment for people with cancer who do not have a ride or are unable to drive themselves. [...] Depending on your individual needs and what’s available in your area, we may be able to coordinate a ride with an American Cancer Society volunteer driver."
2) Your County's Paratransit Services
DisabilityRightsTX.org provides nationwide eligibility details for paratransit services in the following guide:
>> "What is Paratransit Service and How Can I Get It?"
"The Americans with Disabilities Act requires most public transit systems to provide 'paratransit' services. [...] Paratransit provides transportation for people with disabilities who are unable to use the regular, fixed route transit service that serves their region. Paratransit usually provide door-to-door service for people who call to reserve a ride. [...] If you are eligible, the transit system can charge you a fare, but it cannot charge paratransit riders more than twice the regular fixed route fare."
3) Your Healthcare Providers
You can ask your healthcare providers whether they offer no-cost-to-you transportation to/from appointments (which they instead pay for). Healthcare providers might have their own programs in place or use one of the following programs from Lyft or Uber:
"Eligible patients, health plan members, and Medicaid and Medicare beneficiaries can request a ride to and from their medical appointment or other destination via the Lyft app, giving them more flexibility and control over their healthcare journey. The sponsoring healthcare or social services organization still covers the cost of the ride, while having access to built-in controls for budget, location, compliance, and more."
>> Uber Health
"Healthcare organizations are using Uber Health to help get people to and from the care they need. Uber Health is a HIPAA-compliant technology solution for healthcare organizations that leverages the ride hailing power of the Uber platform. The web-based dashboard allows hospitals and other healthcare professionals to request, manage, and pay for rides for others."
4) Your Health Insurance Provider
Depending on your insurance provider, your health coverage may cover transportation costs for certain medical needs. Call your health insurance provider to find out whether they provide no-cost or reduced-cost transportation options and how to access them.
New information added to this webpage: November 5, 2024
Links to all external sites re-verified on this webpage: November 5, 2024
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