HealthWell Foundation Opens New Fund for the Prevention and Treatment of Fungal Infections

GERMANTOWN, Md., Oct. 12, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- The HealthWell Foundation^®, an independent non-profit that provides a financial lifeline for inadequately insured Americans, today announced that it opened a new fund to provide assistance to patients who are at-risk of, or infected with, potentially life-threatening fungal infections, specifically Aspergillosis and Candidiasis. Through the fund, HealthWell will provide up to $3,000 in copayment assistance to eligible patients who are insured and have annual household incomes up to 400% of the federal poverty level.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, anyone can get a fungal infection. Fungi are common in the environment, but they are more likely to cause infections in individuals with weak immune systems, such as anyone who has cancer, has had a stem cell or organ transplant, is taking a medication that weakens the immune system, or is hospitalized for an illness that weakened the immune system. Invasive fungal infections can affect the blood, heart, brain, eyes, bones, and other parts of the body.

"Candida and aspergillus infections can spread from the gut or lungs through the bloodstream with serious ramifications," said Dr. David Denning, President, Global Action Fund for Fungal Infections (GAFFI) and Director of the UK's National Aspergillosis Centre, University Hospital of South Manchester. "In the more serious hospital cases, only half the patients survive, even with therapy, and all die without antifungal treatment. Long-term antifungal therapy is costly and required for many chronic conditions. Contributions to effective and affordable treatment and prevention will often be lifesaving."

"Thanks to the continued generosity of our donors, we are now able to offer financial relief to patients living with invasive fungal infections as well as patients who may be at-risk of infection due to compromised immune systems," said Krista Zodet, HealthWell Foundation President. "These patients, whether they are battling an active infection or require preventative medication, desperately need treatment. Our fund offers instant grant approvals and instant pharmacy card activation to provide these patients with immediate access to care and to potentially lifesaving medications."

To determine eligibility and apply for financial assistance, visit HealthWell's Fungal Infections Fund page. To learn how you can support this or other HealthWell programs, visit HealthWellFoundation.org.

About the HealthWell Foundation

A nationally recognized, independent non-profit organization founded in 2003, the HealthWell Foundation has served as a safety net for more than 225,000 underinsured patients by providing access to life-changing medical treatments they otherwise would not be able to afford.

HealthWell provides financial assistance to adults and children facing medical hardship resulting from gaps in their insurance that cause out-of-pocket medical expenses to escalate rapidly. HealthWell assists with the treatment-related cost-sharing obligations of these patients. For more information, visit www.HealthWellFoundation.org.

CONTACT:
Ginny Dunn
240-632-5309
[email protected]

SOURCE HealthWell Foundation

Related Links

http://www.healthwellfoundation.org