Diagnosis-Based Assistance
What Kinds of Programs are Offered?
There are many private- or government-funded organizations offering programs that help with costs associated with specific diagnoses. Some programs are national in scope, while others are limited to people in specific states. Most have some type of eligibility requirements, usually financial ones. Some cover one specific diagnosis, while others cover whole categories (such as all types of cancers) or even all chronic medical illnesses.
These diagnosis-based assistance programs may cover many types of expenses, including drugs, insurance co-pays, office visits, transportation, nutrition, medical supplies, child or respite care.
How to Search for Diagnosis-Based Assistance Programs
The programs are sorted in four ways:
Tips for Searching for Diagnosis-Based Assistance Programs
In most cases, it's best to search by the type of diagnosis. Because programs are listed in several ways, it's important to know how to find all the programs that can help you:
- First, look for your specific diagnosis (e.g. "Breast Cancer"). If your specific diagnosis isn't listed then:
- Look under the general category for your diagnosis (e.g. Cancer All).
- Look also under the most general category (e.g. "Chronic, Serious or Life-Threatening Illness").
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You can also look for programs that may help with a specific need that you may have.
For example, if you have breast cancer and chemotherapy has caused hair loss, find "Hair Loss - Chemotherapy Induced" in the Diagnosis List. - When you click on a diagnosis, you may also notice other suggestions of categories to look under at the top of the program listings.
- Finally, please see the program website for availability of funds.
If your organization helps people with the costs of a specific diagnosis, we will add it to the website. Please fill out and submit the online Program Information form below:
As of 09/27/2023, we have information on 4334 programs.
Complete the Add a Program Information Form.