Nothing is more important than having access to the best health care possible, especially if you or one of your family members has arthritis or a related disease. If you have insurance coverage, are on Medicare, or are uninsured or underinsured, you need to know all of your options for getting care and getting coverage. More than 46 million Americans have arthritis or a related rheumatic disease, many of whom struggle to find accessible, affordable health care. Download the Arthritis Foundation's Access to Care for Arthritis guide.
• Health Care Resources
• Health Care Reform
• Be Your Own Advocate
To help you answer questions about obtaining medically-necessary care and treatment, the Arthritis Foundation has collected resources to help you find the information you need to navigate the health care system. See below. (Links to Web sites that are not under the control of the Arthritis Foundation are provided for convenience of reference only and the Foundation has no responsibility for their content.)
The Arthritis Foundation has developed a set of health care reform principles that clearly advocates what people should expect from the health care system. Read more
For those seeking better medical coverage and medical care for their arthritis, learn how to become your own health care advocate. Find tips about insurance, health care coverage, prescription assistance, and more.
General Info
The Kaiser Family Foundation
Non-profit foundation focusing on the major health care issues facing the United States, including Medicare, Medicaid and private health insurance
• Review the Medicare Health Plan Tracker
• Read Strategies for Simplifying Medicare Advantage Plan Options
AARP
Offers information about insurance and medicare as well as about long-term care.
Medicare Patient Coalitions
Medicare Access for Patients Rx
A coalition of patient, family caregiver and health professional organizations that provides information on state resources, open enrollment for Medicare prescription coverage, and for the Extra Help/Low-Income Subsidy drug benefit.
Medicare Rights
A source of health care information and assistance for people with providing information on Medicare Coverage.
Co-payment, Out-of-Pocket Assistance and Drug Discounts
Chronic Disease Fund
Medication co-pay assistance for the under-insured. Toll-Free Patient Information at 1-877-968-7233.
HelpPayRA Articles that will help you as you search for ways to lower your treatment costs and listings of resources, contact information and Web sites.
The HealthWell Foundation
Addresses the needs of individuals who cannot afford their insurance co-payments, premiums, co-insurance, or other out-of-pocket health care costs.
Partnership for Prescription Assistance, PPA
Pharmaceutical companies, doctors, other health care providers, patient advocacy organizations and community groups working together to help qualifying patients get prescription medications. Has information in English and Espanol.
Together Rx Access, LLC
A resource to help uninsured Americans gain access to prescription products at significant savings.
American Academy of Family Physicians
Provides information on appealing denied claims or finding resources to help with high out-of-pocket costs for treatments.
Biologics-specific Support
Enbrel® (etanercept)
http://www.enbrelsupport.com or call 1-888-436-2735 for reimbursement assistance
http://www.encouragefoundation.com or call 1-800-282-7752 for uninsured or underinsured assistance
Glaxo Smith Kline
www.bridgestoaccess.com (Non-oncology medicines e.g. Boniva) or call 1-866-PATIENT (1866-728-4368)
Humira (adalimumab)
Call 1-800-448-6472 for reimbursement assistance
http: //www.helpingpatients.org or call 1-800-222-6885 for uninsured or underinsured assistance
Kineret® (anakinra)
http://www.kineretrx.com/patient for reimbursement assistance and
http://www.kineretrx.com/pdf/Kineret_PAP_Application_Form.pdf or call 1-866-547-0644
Orencia® (abatacept)
http://www.orencia.com or call 1-866-268-4514 for reimbursement assistance. Call 1-800-673-6246 for uninsured or underinsured assistance. Call 1-800-675-8416 for copayment assistance.
Remicade® (infliximab)
http://www.remicade.com (select “getting support”) or call 1-888-222-3771 for reimbursement assistance Call 1-866-489-5957 and select option 1
Rituxin® rituximab
http://www.gene.com/gene/about/community/access.html or call 1-866-681-3261 for reimbursement assistance and 1-800-530-3083 for uninsured or underinsured assistance.
Patient Advocacy
Patient Advocate Foundation
Seeks to safeguard patients through effective mediation assuring access to care, maintenance of employment and preservation of financial stability relative to the diagnosis of life threatening or debilitating diseases. Provides information on:
• Medicare Part D
• The National Financial Resources Guidebook for Patients: A state-by-state directory or resources.
• Senior Services
• En Espanol
Pediatrics
• Patient Advocate Foundation Pediatrics Resource Center
• American Academy of Pediatrics: Providing information on pediatric medicine and navigating the health care system
Government Resources
US Department of Health & Human Services
Provides consumers information on health insurance and a guide to help patients obtain higher-quality care.
Americans with Disabilities Act
Provides general information on the act as well as a Guide to Disability Rights Laws and ADA Questions and Answers.
Medicare
Find out about basic prescription drug coverage and determine eligibility.
Social Security Administration
Learn about disability benefits and supplemental security income.
The NAIC State insurance Departments
Provides consumers information on government-funded resources available in each of the 50 states.