MDS patients and their caregivers should meet with the financial counselor at the facility where they are being treated. Each hospital will have its own financial counselor within each specific clinic. The counselor will help determine coverage and estimate out of pocket costs. There may be restrictions on treatment options covered by Medicare and Medicaid. After you have met with the counselor, the resources below can help bridge financial gaps.

Blood cancer advocate and financial planner Diahanna Valentine helped compile this list of helpful financial resources. To contact Diahanna for professional assistance, email her at myfinancialcoach@healthtree.org.

PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANY PATIENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS

• Bristol Myers Squibb (1-800-861-0048) (Vidaza, Azacitidine, Luspatercept-aamt, Lenalidomide)
• Genentech (1-888-941-3331) (Venetoclax)
• Jazz Pharmaceuticals (1-833-533-5299) (Daunorubicin)
• Pfizer (1-877-744-5675) (Cytarabine, Idamycin, Antithymocyte-aamt) 

MEDICATION ASSISTANCE TOOLS

• RxAssist - This is a comprehensive database of patient assistance programs. Enter your MDS medication to see patient assistance programs and discount programs.
• Medication Assistance Tool - This is a search engine designed to help patients, caregivers and health care providers learn more about the resources available through the various biopharmaceutical industry programs.

ADDITIONAL FINANCIAL PATIENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS

• Be The Match - transplant-related financial assistance that covers donor search, housing and travel costs in addition to emergencies post-transplant
• CancerCare - covers treatment related costs such as transportation, home care and child care for those in New York City or men in New Jersey or Connecticut
• Grants for Single Mothers - directory of grants for single mothers to help with rent, utility bills, child care, education, medication, housing and medical bills
• The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Patient Financial Assistant Programs - Patient Aid Program- one time $100 stipend, Urgent Need Program- $500 grant for non-medical expenses
• Family Reach Foundation Financial Treatment Program - financial education, financial coaching, emergency relief  
• American Kidney Fund - covers the cost of insurance premium payments and expenses not covered by insurance for those with kidney disease
• Cancer Warrior - medical bill assistance  

GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE

• Benefits.gov
• Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
• Eligibility.com (Medicare Resources)
• Legal Services Corporation
• Social Security Administration
• Social Security Disability Resource Center
• U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
• Fisher House Foundation
• Veterans Airlift Command

HOUSING DURING TREATMENT

• American Cancer Society's Hope Lodges
• Healthcare Hospitality Network Inc
• Hospitality Homes - Boston, Massachusetts area
• Joe’s House
• Ronald McDonald House Charities

LEGAL ISSUES

• American Bar Association
• Cancer and Careers
• Disability Rights Legal Center
• LawHelp.org
• National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship
• Triage Cancer

PRESCRIPTION EXPENSES

• HealthWell Foundation
• Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Copay Assistance Program
• Needy Meds
• Patient Advocate Foundation Co-Pay Relief
• RxHope

TRAVEL ASSISTANCE

• Air transportation:
  • Angel Flight
  • The Air Care Alliance
  • Air Charity Network
  • Corporate Angel Network
  • Lifeline Pilots
• Ground transportation:
  • American Cancer Society's Road to Recovery Program
  • LLS Susan Lang Pay-It-Forward Patient Travel Assistance Program
• Both air and ground transportation:
  • The National Children's Cancer Society Transportation Assistance Fund
  • Mercy Medical Angels

OTHER HELPFUL RESOURCES

• National Cancer Institute Support Services Database
• Be The Match Financial Planning Worksheet
• Stupid Cancer Insurance and Finance Webinar
• LLS Survivorship Workbook (Adults)
• LLS Survivorship Workbook (Children and Adolescents)
• Cancer Support Community MDS Resources - includes helpline (888-793-9355)
• COVID-19 Resources
• Caregiver Support - for all cancers
• JoyUSFoundation (free outdoor excursions for cancer patients in the Albany NY/Capital Region and Upstate NY)