10 Ways To Get Help With Medical Bills (in the US)

If you’re having trouble paying your healthcare bills, you are not alone. A 2019 study reports that 66.5 percent of bankruptcy cases are caused by medical debt. 

Even with insurance coverage, many Americans can’t keep up with the rising cost of healthcare. This makes it crucial to know where to seek help. 

There are plenty of options available, but many people aren’t aware of them. In this post, you’ll discover ten ways to get help with medical bills. These resources are 100% free, legitimate, and can make a world of difference.

The average hospital stay costs $10,700, and even a short emergency room visit costs thousands of dollars. These high amounts aren’t easy for the average person to pay. 

If you have trouble paying your hospital bills, look into the hospital’s financial assistance program. These programs are designed to help patients pay off their balances. Options for assistance may include:

Every hospital’s financial assistance program is different. Contact the billing department of your hospital to see what help is available for you.

The cost of prescription medication is a common financial burden. Health insurance doesn’t always cover the cost of drugs, so this problem can affect anyone.

Fortunately, you may not need to pay the full price for prescriptions. Many prescription discount programs are free for anyone to use. You may even notice brochures and discount cards at your local pharmacy.

Programs like GoodRx and WellRx provide up to 80% on prescription meds, and 70,000+ pharmacies accept their discount cards. Another popular option is ScriptRelief. This free program helps you find discounts for more than 50,000 prescription meds.

Charities are excellent resources for people with chronic health conditions. They focus on specific diagnoses and provide financial and medical help at no cost.

Charity Navigator lists over 900 health charities throughout the United States. Charities featured in the ‘patient and family support’ category include:

You can use Charity Navigator’s search filters to find charities related to your medical needs. The website also lists resources like transportation and housing.

Some prescription medications aren’t available in generic form. This often causes financial problems because brand name prescriptions cost 80 to 85 percent more than generic options. 

Fortunately, drug manufacturers frequently have patient assistance programs. These programs cover the partial or total cost of brand name medication. 

Some popular drug manufacturer patient assistance programs include:

Eligibility is often based on your income. To get started, you fill out and submit an application for assistance. You may be asked to provide proof of income and identification, too.

You can find healthcare-related programs and assistance through the U.S. Department Of Health & Human Services.  These services include popular financial health assistance like Medicaid, Medicare, and Social Security Disability Income. 

There are many more programs and assistance offered by HHS. For example, you can get:

These are just a few of the many services available. If you’re not sure what you qualify for, use the Benefit Finder tool to guide you.

The United Way’s 211 program is a major network of social services. By dialing ‘211’, anyone can learn about the help available in their community. Some of the medical and health-related services include:

You can call ‘211’ for 24/7 assistance and information. You may also visit the 211 website to search for help. By entering your zip code, you’ll instantly find a list of services near you.

The Dental Lifeline Network provides free dental services to at-risk patients. The Donated Dental Services program is designed to assist the elderly, disabled, and medically fragile.

You can visit the Dental Life Network programs page to learn more about Donated Dental Services. To qualify for help, you must have the inability to pay for dental care and must meet one of the following criteria:

Visit the link above and choose your state to find out more about your local DDS programs. You’ll also find the online application once you select your location.

People with chronic health conditions and disabilities often need medical equipment and supplies. Some common examples include wheelchairs, walking aids, and IV kits.

If you need medical equipment, you can look into organizations that donate crucial supplies. Many of the organizations give or loan patients items they need for no cost. Here are some reputable options to consider:

You can also contact your local American Red Cross center. This nationwide organization often provides medical supplies to community members.

If your medical bills are causing a financial crisis, consider applying for a Modest Needs grant. Modest Needs is an organization that provides short-term financial help to people in need. To qualify for a grant, you or your family members:

Their grants are used for emergency medical expenses that aren’t covered by insurance. They also help individuals and families pay for caretakers. 

Visit the Modest Needs applicant page to learn about eligibility and the application process.

In times of need, crowdfunding is a useful tool for getting help with medical bills. Use social media to share your personal story and campaign link with people who care for you.

Creating a campaign with GoGetFunding is a simple, quick, and convenient process. All you need to do is fill out a short four-page form. Once you provide the requested info, your campaign is ready to go. 

Post your crowdfunding link to easily reach out to friends, family members, classmates, and colleagues. Ask your loved ones to share your link, and you can boost your chances of helpful donations.