Payment Assistance Options
Paying for GBS, CIDP & MMN therapies can be costly, confusing and complicated. Fortunately, there are a variety of assistance programs that may be able to help. Here’s a few steps to point you in the right direction.
Assistance with Medical Expenses
Insurance Resources (US Based)
- Medicare/Medicaid, Complimentary Benefits Review
- If you qualify for Medicare and Medicaid, there’s a good chance you qualify for a health plan that may offer more benefits – and may save you money. Don’t miss out on benefits you may qualify for. YourLife (an Ignitist Inc brand) in partnership with the GBS|CIDP Foundation, is offering a free benefits review for patients living with GBS, CIDP, MMN & related conditions. Call today to speak with a licensed agent who can help find a plan that fits your health needs. Monday-Saturday 9am-5pm EST – 1-855-607-2526
- Medicare: Medicare is federal health insurance for anyone age 65 and older, and for some people under age 65 with certain disabilities and conditions. www.medicare.gov
- Medicaid: Medicaid is a joint federal and state program that provides health coverage for some people with limited income and resources. To find a Medicaid office in your state, visit: https://www.medicaid.gov/about-us/contact-us/index.html for information about how to contact your state Medicaid agency
- State Health Insurance Program Counsellor (SHIP): Provide local, in-depth, and objective insurance counseling and assistance to Medicare-eligible individuals, their families, and caregivers. To Locate a SHIP Counsellor near you, visit: https://www.shiphelp.org/
- The Healthcare Marketplace: A service that helps people shop for and enroll in health insurance. The federal government operates the Health Insurance Marketplace, available at HealthCare.gov, for most states.
Payment Assistance Options for Medications and IVIG
- State Pharmaceutical Assistance Programs (US Based) https://www.medicare.gov/plan-compare/#/pharmaceutical-assistance-program/states/?year=2024&lang=en
- Manufacturer Assistance Programs
- Option 1: Ask your doctor or pharmacy for the name of your IVIg prescription. Look below for your IVIg prescription then call the company and ask for someone to speak with in regards to a medical assistance program. You will need to explain your medical and financial situation. These programs are primarily for those with commercial insurance and not for those with Medicare or Medicaid. Eligibility may be based on your type of insurance as well as your income.
- RX Assist: Patient assistance programs are run by pharmaceutical companies to provide free medications to people who cannot afford to buy their medicine. RxAssist offers a comprehensive database for these patient assistance programs, as well as practical tools, news and articles so that health care professionals and patients can find the information that they need. Visit www.rxassist.org
- Gamunex-C (GRIFOLS Product)
- 888-694-2686 · Grifols Gamunex-C Connexions Program: Provides the uninsured or underinsured the access to therapy that they need which may include copayment assistance, deductibles, and free drugs. (For CIDP patients only)
- Gammagard, HYQVIA (TAKEDA Product)
- 888-229-8379
- Takeda’s Patient Assistance Program: You may qualify for this program if you 1. Have a current prescription for a Takeda hematology product 2. Do not have insurance or have a lapse in insurance coverage 3. Meet financial eligibility guidelines
- May cover 100% of out of pocket costs or provide free drug
- Hizentra (CSL SUB Q Product)
- 877-355-4447
- CSL Behring Patient assistance program: uninsured/underinsured patients only. If you qualify, eligible for free product for one year. Also has a copay support program.
- Privigen (CSL IVIG Product)
- 877-355-4447
- No copay assistance if fully insured.
- CSL Behring Patient assistance program: uninsured/underinsured patients only. If you qualify, eligible for free produc
- Gammaked (Kedrion Product)
- 1-855-353-7466 Ext. 4
- The Kedrion Biopharma Customer Service team is available to help patients, families, and healthcare professionals with verifying insurance coverage and benefits for GAMMAKED, helping to obtain prior authorizations and with claim denials.
- Panzyga (Pfizer Product)
- 1-866-642-7606
- https://panzyga.pfizerpro.com/support/co-pay-program-for-patients
- May receive reduction in out of pocket costs
- Foundations and Non-Proffit Organizations (Previously Called: Other Programs and Organizations)
- NORD Rare Care: NORD provides assistance programs to help patients obtain life-saving or life-sustaining medication they could not otherwise afford. These programs provide medication, financial assistance with insurance premiums and co-pays, diagnostic testing assistance, respite grants, and travel assistance for clinical trials or consultation with disease specialists.
- Good Days: Exists to pay the prohibitively costly insurance co-pays of life-extending and life-saving treatments for people otherwise unable to afford those treatments. Further, to offer patients and families additional financial help, emotional support, and guidance to the best available information and support for each specific disease state. https://www.mygooddays.org/contact-usopens a new window (877) 968-7233
- Patient Advocate Foundation: Helps patients with access to care, maintenance of employment and preservation of their finances https://www.patientadvocate.org/oropens a new window www.copays.orgopens a new window (800) 532-5274
- National Organization of Social Security Claimants (NOSSCR): The National Organization of Social Security Claimants’ Representatives is to advocate for improvements in Social Security disability programs and to ensure that individuals with disabilities applying for Social Security Disability and SSI benefits have access to highly qualified representation and receive fair decisions. https://www.nosscr.org/ (201) 567-4228
- HealthWell Foundation: Assists patients living with chronic diseases with copays, deductibles, premiums, and out-of-pocket expenses. https://www.healthwellfoundation.org/
- Patient Access Network Foundation (PAN)– has their own disease funds and transportation grants www.panfoundation.orgopens a new window 1-866-316-7263
- Fundfinder-a free website that helps you track more than 200 patient assistance funds from 9 different charitable organizations. https://fundfinder.panfoundation.org/
- Infusion Access Foundation-Resource search engine for copay cards, patient assistance, and other helpful services: https://resources.infusionaccessfoundation.org/
- Contact the Provider of Your Home Infusions
- The home infusion company may be able to help. Speak with your infusion nurse about their company’s options. You can also speak with the clinical case manager for advice. They cannot legally offer you financial assistance unless you ask.
- Charity or Hardship Care Programs:
- Most health care systems or hospital owned clinics and agencies do have a program which is based on your financial situation. Ask your specialty pharmacy or provider of your medications. You will need to provide income and resource documentation. If approved, you may receive a full or partial grant to cover your out of pocket costs.
- Medical Fund Raising
- Get help raising money for medical bills and treatments through crowdfunding.
- Non-Proffit and Cost Saving Online Pharmacies
- Prescription Discount and Savings Programs
Household Bills
- Patient Advocacy Foundation: Helps patients with access to care, maintenance of employment and preservation of their finances. Their Website has a resource database that offers the option to look up what financial assistance programs are available in each state. https://www.patientadvocate.org/
- www.findhelp.org: Provides an online tool that can be used to search for assistance programs by United States zip code
- www.211.org: 211 is a very comprehensive source of information about local resources in the USA. A representative can be reached via phone by dialing “211” from any phone in the USA. Hours of operation vary by location.
- Housing Resources:
- The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) offers a variety of information on their website
- HUD Approved Housing Counselling Agencies can support with eviction prevention and stopping foreclosures in addition to providing other information and services. HUD provides support to individuals and families living in all communities, including rural communities. To find your nearest HUD Approved Housing Counselling Agency, Visit: https://hud4.my.site.com/housingcounseling/s/?language=en_US or call: 800-569-4287
- The HUD Interactive Map can be used to find affordable apartments in a specific area, find a local HUD Office or a local Housing Authority Office: https://resources.hud.gov/
- The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) offers a variety of information on their website
- Utility Bill Assistance
- Different utility suppliers throughout the country offer a variety of programs to support individuals and families who are having trouble with paying their utility bills. Special shut-off prevention programs are available in many areas for individuals who are experiencing medical difficulties and need continued access to electricity or natural gas due to their medical conditions. A good course of action can be to reach out to each of your utility suppliers and ask for information regarding all utility assistance programs that they offer. If you or a loved one will be at medical risk due in the event of a utility shut off; it can be helpful to notify your utility company of this situation as soon as possible.
- The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program is a program that helps keep families safe and healthy through initiatives that assist families with energy costs. Find out more at their website: https://www.liheap.org/
- The Lifeline Program provides a discount on phone service for qualifying low income customers to ensure that all Americans have the opportunities and security that phone service brings. Learn more on the web at: https://www.usac.org/lifeline/
- Food Resources
- The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provides food benefits to low-income families to supplement their grocery budget so they can afford the nutritious food essential to health and well-being.
- Many areas throughout the United States have grocery delivery programs, food pantries and/or meal programs that can provide additional support to supplement the SNAP program. www.feedingamerica.org provides information about what food resources are available in different areas throughout the United States
- GBS|CIDP Foundation Health Navigator: The Health Navigator for the GBS|CIDP Foundation International can provide information about resources that is tailored to your needs and interests. To book an appointment with the Health Navigator, click here: https://calendly.com/morgan-duhe-gbsmsw
Legal Resources
- Accessia Health: Pro-Bono Attorneys to help with Social Security disability applications and appeals. Call (800) 366-7741 to speak with an attorney.
- Legal Services Corporation (LSC) is an independent nonprofit established by Congress to provide financial support for civil legal aid to low-income Americans. Their website offers an interactive tool that can be used to find help in every state of the USA, in the District of Columbia and in US Territories: https://www.lsc.gov/about-lsc/what-legal-aid/i-need-legal-help
- www.LawHelp.org offers a directory containing comprehensive information regarding legal resources that is organized by state. To review legal resources available in your state, visit their website at: https://www.lawhelp.org/find-help
- Several local Bar Associations across the USA offer brief legal consultations with a volunteer attorney for a nominal fee. A lawyer referral directory that includes contact information for local Bar Associations is available on the web at the American Bar Association’s website: https://www.americanbar.org/groups/lawyer_referral/resources/lawyer-referral-directory/
- National Organization of Social Security Claimants (NOSSCR): The National Organization of Social Security Claimants’ Representatives is to advocate for improvements in Social Security disability programs and to ensure that individuals with disabilities applying for Social Security Disability and SSI benefits have access to highly qualified representation and receive fair decisions. https://www.nosscr.org/ (201) 567-4228
Resources by Population (US Based)
Supportive Services for Seniors
- Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) provide services to help older adults and people with disabilities live independently and safely in their communities. AAAs offer a variety of services, including meal delivery, paid caregiver programs, transportation programs, legal services, protective services and more. Every county in the USA has an Area Agency on Aging. However, they may go by different names or be non-profit organizations rather than government agencies.
- Eldercare Locator: A public service of the Administration for Community Living providing connection to services for older adults and their families. The Eldercare Locator can be used to find a local Area Agency on Aging (AAA) in the United States https://eldercare.acl.gov/Public/index.aspx
- USA Aging: USAging represents and supports the national network of Area Agencies on Aging (AAA) and advocates for the Title VI Native American Aging Programs that help older adults and people with disabilities live with optimal health, well-being, independence and dignity in their homes and communities. https://www.usaging.org/
Supportive Services for Parents
- Parent’s Reading Corner: Book recommendations from parents of children with GBS, CIPD and related conditions:
- Bree’s Just Like Me by Julie Bell and Emma Broa
- Childhood Disability Advocates
Supportive Services for Veterans
- VA Crisis Hotline: Dial 988, then press 1 or text 838255. https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/
- The American Legion: The largest US Veteran’s Organization offering programs, services and advocacy to those who served in the U.S. Armed Forces, youth and communities: https://www.legion.org/
- Getting Support with Benefit issues from a VA Accredited Representative: https://www.va.gov/ogc/recognizedvsos.asp
- Applying for a VA Discharge Upgrade or Correction: https://www.va.gov/discharge-upgrade-instructions/
- Legal Help for Veterans
- VA Healthcare: https://www.va.gov/health-care/
- VA Patient Advocates are available at every VA Medical Center: https://www.va.gov/health/patientadvocates.asp
- The Purple Heart Foundation: Offering Critical Assistance Grants, Academic Scholarships and other services
