For people with PI, dealing with health insurance and understanding the maze of issues involved can be overwhelming. Often health insurers require additional paperwork to justify the use of the therapy prescribed. Added red tape and follow up phone calls can be frustrating. Even individuals who have adequate insurance coverage often face expensive insurance premiums or high co-payments or coinsurance.
If you are confused about insurance options, or simply lacking affordable health insurance start here to learn the basics and frequently used terms.
How to Choose a Plan
How to Appeal a Denial
AAAAI IVIG Toolkit
www.ncqa.org
The National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) is a private, not-for-profit organization dedicated to assessing and reporting on the quality of managed care plans.
www.ndrn.org
The National Disabilities Rights Network (NDRN) is a non-profit membership organization for the federally mandated Protection and Advocacy (P&A) Systems and Client Assistance Programs (CAP) for individuals with disabilities.
www.nfcacares.org
800-896-3650
The National Family Caregivers Association (NCFA) is a grass roots organization created to educate, support, empower and speak up for millions of Americans who care for chronically ill, aged or disabled loved ones.
www.rarediseases.org
800-999-NORD
The National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) is a non-profit organization which provides information, programs and services for thousands of rare medical conditions, including primary immunodeficiencies.
www.patienttravel.org
800-296-3797
The National Patient Travel Center is a non-profit organization that provides a variety of services to individuals and families seeking ways to travel long-distances for specialized medical evaluation, diagnosis and treatment.
www.needymeds.org
NeedyMeds provides information on programs that help people facing problems paying for medications and healthcare; assists those in need in applying to programs; and provides health-related education using innovative methods.
www.pparx.org
888-4PPA-NOW (888-477-2669)
The Partnership for Prescription Assistance brings together America’s pharmaceutical companies, doctors, other healthcare providers, patient advocacy organizations and community groups to help qualifying patients who lack prescription coverage get the medicines they need through the public or private program that’s right for them.
www.patientnotificationsystem.org
888-UPDATE-U (888-873-2838)
The Patient Notification System is a program developed by the Plasma Protein Therapeutics Association (PPTA) to notify patients who receive plasma products, such as intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), about product recalls.
www.patientservicesinc.org
800-366-7741
Patient Services Incorporated (PSI) is a non-profit charitable organization dedicated to subsidizing the high cost of health insurance premiums and co-payments for persons with specific chronic illnesses, including primary immunodeficiencies.
www.rxassist.org
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 of these patient assistance programs, as well as practical tools, news, and articles so that healthcare professionals and patients can find the information they need.
