HealthWell Foundation Launches Fund to Provide Financial Assistance to People Living with Macular Degeneration

GERMANTOWN, Md., Aug. 9, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The HealthWell Foundation^®, an independent non-profit that provides a financial lifeline for inadequately insured Americans, has launched a Macular Degeneration Fund to provide copayment and premium assistance to eligible patients living with macular degeneration. Under the fund, HealthWell will provide up to $4,000 to individuals who have annual household incomes up to 400 percent of the federal poverty level to assist with out-of-pocket costs for treatment of their disease.

Macular degeneration is caused by the deterioration of the central portion of the retina, the inside back layer of the eye that records the images we see and sends them via the optic nerve from the eye to the brain. The retina's central portion, known as the macula, is responsible for focusing central vision in the eye, and it controls our ability to read, drive a car, recognize faces or colors, and see objects in fine detail. According to the Macular Degeneration Association (MDA), macular degeneration is the leading cause of vision loss, affecting more than 12 million Americans – more than cataracts and glaucoma combined. At present, there are no cures for macular degeneration and the disease is reaching epidemic portions.

"The Macular Degeneration Association (MDA) is delighted the HealthWell fund will be able to help those in need with out-of-pocket costs for treatment. Because of this fund, more people living with macular degeneration will be able to access the treatment they need that previously may have been cost prohibitive," said Lawrence Hoffheimer, Chairman of the Board.

"Patients living with macular degeneration can be faced with many challenges resulting from vision impairment," said Krista Zodet, HealthWell Foundation President. "Life-style changes and treatment costs can be a daily source of frustration and anxiety for many MD patients. We are honored that our dedicated donors recognize the importance of easing the financial burden these patients endure so they can access treatment and concentrate on managing their disease."

To determine eligibility and apply for financial assistance, visit HealthWell's Macular Degeneration 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 250,000 underinsured patients in more than 50 disease areas 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.

About the Macular Degeneration Association
The Macular Degeneration Association (MDA) is a non-profit health organization providing the latest research information and advocacy for patients with all visual diseases. We are dedicated to providing the latest information about research being conducted, educating and empowering age-related macular degeneration, diabetic macular edema, glaucoma and cataract patients all across the world. All visual diseases are increasingly prevalent degenerative eye diseases, affecting millions of aging seniors and younger adults. The MDA's mission is to find a cure for all sight robbing diseases through disseminating research information, while providing education that will improve the quality of life today, tomorrow and in the future for patients and their caregivers. To learn more, visit: macularhope.org.

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

SOURCE HealthWell Foundation

Related Links

http://www.healthwellfoundation.org