Member and Community Relations Update
Patient Assistance Resources
The start of the calendar year always sees a surge in patient requests for help with insurance premiums and copays. You can find lists and links to manufacturer copay assistance programs, manufacturer compassionate access programs, and charitable foundations that offer copay and/or premium support on webpages of the national patient groups:
Please be aware some of the funds listed on those resource pages may open and close to new enrollment periodically throughout the year. In addition, Hope for Hemophilia offers direct patient assistance. HFA’s Helping Hands, unfortunately, is not currently offering assistance.
One final reminder: the Hemophilia Alliance Foundation does not provide direct patient assistance; rather, HAF makes grants to enable eligible organizations (HTCs and patient advocacy chapters) to build capacity and to support their own financial assistance programs. The upper limit for grants to local patient organizations, HTCs, and sickle cell centers is $8,000; the ceiling for grants to national organizations and for the regional coordinating centers is $10,000.
Hemophilia Alliance Genetic Testing Program
In August 2024, the Hemophilia Alliance created a Genetic Testing Program for eligible patients of Hemophilia Alliance Member HTCs. More information on patient eligibility and testing sites can be found on the Genetic Testing Fact Sheet.
Decoding the Alphabet Soup of Healthcare Savings Accounts
by Kollet Koulianos and Roland Lamy
Managing medical expenses through the various available tax-advantaged healthcare accounts can be helpful and at times confusing. It’s important to understand each option and how they impact the patients we serve. Click here for a quick primer on Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) also known as Section 125 or Cafeteria plans, Health Savings Accounts (HSA), Health Reimbursement Arrangements (HRA) and Medical Expense Reimbursement Plans (MERP). Each of these accounts offers unique benefits and limitations. Employees / patients should consider all healthcare needs, employment situation, and financial goals when choosing the most suitable option. Providers should understand the variations of these programs and the impact to collecting patient cost sharing.
Also In This Issue…
Jeff Weighs In
Advocacy and Legal Update
- 340B Recertification is here!
- Early Administration Actions in 2025
Administration and Operations Update
- Greetings from Admin and Ops!
- 2025 & 2026 Meeting Schedules
Notes From The Community
- Foundation for Women and Girls with Blood Disorders
- CHES Foundation Programs for HTC Patients
- Deadline for Completing BD SUMHAC Survey Approaching!