The National Pancreas Foundation does not currently provide routine medical assistance or funds for treatment, but we want to provide a list of resources from other organizations that may be of help to you.

Information on Health Insurance

Health insurance helps protect you from high medical care costs. It is a contract between you and your insurance company. You buy a plan or policy, and the company agrees to pay part of your expenses when you need medical care.

Many people in the United States get a health insurance policy through their employers. In most cases, the employer helps pay for that insurance. You can also purchase health insurance on your own.

People who meet certain requirements can qualify for government health insurance, such as Medicare and Medicaid. The Affordable Care Act expands health insurance coverage for many people in the U.S.

Helpful Links:

Information on Social Security

The My Social Security account is free and provides personalized tools for everyone, whether you receive benefits or not. You can use your account to request a replacement Social Security card, check the status of an application, estimate future benefits, or manage the benefits you already receive. https://www.ssa.gov/myaccount/

Assistance With Insurance

Patient Advocate Foundation Co-Pay Relief At Patient Advocate Foundation Co-Pay Relief Program, we put patient and family peace of mind above all else. We provide direct payment for co-pays, co-insurance, and deductibles for patients who need financial assistance.

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services The website from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services may provide information on qualifying for federal or state assistance for medical treatment.

Good Days – We cover what insurance does not- the copays for treatments that can extend life and alleviate suffering. Our ability to pay for otherwise unaffordable co-insurance means these extraordinary medicines- some of the most sophisticated treatments in healthcare, the result of years of research- can fulfill the promise for which they were developed.

Assistance With Paying for Medical Care and Procedures

Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has information on assistance in paying for medical care for low-income families. Go to “Families & Children.”

Government Benefits The official government benefits website. This is a free, confidential tool that locates government benefits.

Insure Kids Now The Insure Kids Now website is a resource where you can find free or low cost health insurance for children and teens.

Find A Health Center You can find federally funded free or low cost medical and dental care by using the HRSA Find A Health Center tool.

Hill-Burton Facilities Hill-Burton facilities provide care to uninsured Americans. To locate a Hill-Burton facility in your area call 900-638-0742.

Financial Aid Availability For Pancreatic Cancer

Cancer.Net, supported by the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) and the Conquer Cancer Foundation. The link to their financial resources page is here: http://www.cancer.net/navigating-cancer-care/financial-considerations/financial-resources

Project Purple: https://www.projectpurple.org/ways-we-help/pancreatic-cancer-patient-financial-aid/

My Good Days: https://www.mygooddays.org/

Hirshberg Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer Research: https://pancreatic.org/patients-caregivers/financial-aid/

National Pancreatic Cancer Foundation: https://www.npcf.us/support/

PAN Foundation: https://www.panfoundation.org/

CancerCare: https://www.cancercare.org/co_payment_fundings/pancreatic-cancer

Pancreatitis and other chronic illnesses

Patient Advocate Foundation: https://financialaid.patientadvocate.org/

National Patient Advocate Foundation: https://www.npaf.org/

Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs: https://amchp.org/

Assistance With Paying For Medications

Medicine Assistance Tool helps match patients who cannot afford medication to prescription assistance programs that provide free or nearly free medicines to eligible patients.

National Organization for Rare Disorders The National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) is a federation of more than 130 nonprofit, voluntary health organizations serving people with rare disorders. The NORD website includes information on medication assistance programs and networking programs, a resource guide and links to other online resources.

Enzyme Assistance Programs

CREON® capsules – http://www.abbviepaf.org/pdf/AbbVie_PAF_Creon.pdf

Pancreaze® capsules – https://pancreaze.com/savings-and-support/

Pertzye® capsules – https://pertzyecares.com/terms-and-conditions/

Zenpep® capsules – https://www.zenpep.com/savings-programs

Medicaid Waivers

Medicaid waivers are state-run programs that use federal and state funds to pay for health care for people with certain health conditions. In some states, families can apply for a Medicaid waiver that waives the family income and looks only at the disabled person’s income. This allows people who would otherwise be ineligible for Medicaid to receive medical care. Most states have some type of Medicaid waiver program. To find out more about Medicaid waiver programs in general, as well as specific state programs, visit:

Medicaid Waivers [cms.gov]

Medicare [medicare.gov] The official U.S. government website for people with Medicare offers information specific to Medicare, including eligibility guidelines and enrollment for Medicare coverage.

Assistance With Treatment-Related Travel and Lodging

PALS – Patient Airlift Services. It provides free flights to ambulatory children and an adult escort to families with a demonstrated financial need to medical facilities greater than a 2 hour drive from their homes.

YMCA or YWCA

Check local phone directories for area listings. Many offer low rates for overnight accommodations.

Your Treatment Facility

Many hospitals negotiate discount rates at local hotels or short-term rental units, and some may also offer dormitory-type lodging. Check with the social worker at your treatment facility for a referral. Look for an NPF Centers of Excellence near you: https://pancreasfoundation.org/npf-centers-info/

Ronald McDonald House – At a Ronald McDonald House, families can stay together, rest and recharge to remain strong for their child, interact with families going through similar experiences, enjoy home-cooked meals and receive compassionate hospitality from staff and volunteers — all just minutes from the hospital where their child is receiving care.

The Healthcare Hospitality Network, Inc.(HHN) – HHN is a nationwide professional association of nearly 200 unique, nonprofit organizations that provide lodging and support services to patients, families and their loved ones who are receiving medical treatment far from their home communities.

Good Days – Transportation costs can be a significant barrier to treatment access. The Good Days Travel Assistance program pays for travel costs to ensure patients have access to the care they need.

Hospitality Homes – provide free short-term housing in volunteer host homes and donated apartments for families and friends of patients seeking care at Boston-area healthcare organizations.

Important Disclaimer

The materials provided are for informational or educational purposes only and are not intended as a substitute for professional medical care, advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This material does not represent an endorsement of any specific tests and products by The National Pancreas Foundation. We cannot guarantee the accuracy, completeness, timeliness, or usefulness of the opinions, advice, services, or other information provided. Moreover, we strongly recommend that you seek the advice of your healthcare provider with any questions regarding your medical care.