Are there charities that help pay medical bills?

Question

My sister has been sick for years but no doctor has ever been able to give her a diagnosis. She has had the opportunity to be treated/evaluated at Mayo Clinic, but will be unable to pay for her treatment/testing. They think she may have a condition called Celiac Artery Compression Syndrome.

Answer 1

I'm sorry about your sister - it is tough in this day and age that people can be sick for years going from doctor to doctor without a medical explanation of what is going on with them- I hope Mayo Clinic has the answer for your sister--- as far as her bills are concerned, I assume she hasn't worked much, she should apply for Medical Assistance through the state she lives in, and she should also apply for Medical disability through Medicare-- if her illness has kept her from holding down a job, she should be able to get disability- you may need an attorney for this- so look for ones that specialize in disability- and they dont want money up front- they will take a percentage of her "award"-- it will be a lump sum from the day she became ill.

As far as her initial bills at the Mayo clinic- they are a research center and she should talk to someone in their finanical department- I do not believe they will make her pay for treatment she cannot afford, as do most hospitals (most people dont know that). Good luck to you and your sister-- she picked a good hospital to get the answers--- God bless.

Answer 2

I don't know about charities but, have you thought about Social security Insurance, a cast off of Social Security. There's no age limit and if she has a medical condition, she should be able to enter there program. They would of course have to have her apply.

Get all your paper work together, you don't want to be looking for anything. Your going to need birth certificates, marriage licenses if any, etc. all, and I mean all, medical records and get copies through your doctors office.

After you Call Social Security for an appointment you will get a date and time, they will tell you when they will call you and, what will be necessary for you to have other then what I've already told you. Be there!
They will call, they are never late. They may just accept what you have from your doctors, you will have to send everything in, that's why all the copies. It will be sent back, all birth certificates have to be original but, you will get them back.
They will tell you how long it will take but you will get help immediately. You will get a set amount from Social Security Insurance and be on Medicare plan "B" and plan "A" this will take care of all medical.

I hope after all this, you follow through. Good luck

Answer 3

Has your family tried to get her on Medicaid? I am raising 2 grandchildren who are quit young. The youngest one was born 8 weeks early and so the state automatically put her on Medicaid. I could not have afforded her medical treatment for the past two years. I has run about $2500.00 a month since birth. Some months were more some were less. That is just the average.

Answer 4

DONT EVER let the hospitals tell you that they cannot help you because you can not afford it!! Every hospital is provided a certain amount every year tohelp people who need it, speak to the financial aid department at the Hospital, speak with someone in the billing department, tell them your situation. They will need copies of pay stubs w2's what ever they need give it to them.. there are also organizations out there mostly Catholic Charities that help A LOT of people also, and No you don't have to be catholic to qualify for them. Just remember NEVER EVER let them turn her away. That is a law suit in the making!!

Answer 5

there used to be a grant called the hills-burton grant that you could apply for help with medical bills, most hospital billing depts. used to have the aapliction forms....not sure if it is still around,but it is worth asking about.

Answer 6

they should since their an Charity, but its been Peoples Generosity.