HealthWell Foundation Launches Movement Disorders Fund to Provide Financial Assistance to Medicare Patients

GERMANTOWN, Md., May 2, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The HealthWell Foundation^®, an independent non-profit that provides a financial lifeline for inadequately insured Americans, has launched a Movement Disorders Fund to provide copayment and premium assistance to eligible Medicare patients. Through the fund, HealthWell will provide up to $10,000 in copayment or premium assistance to individuals who have annual household incomes up to 500 percent of the federal poverty level. The new fund will assist patients in several different movement-related disease areas, including, but not limited to, Huntington's Disease, Tourette Syndrome, Parkinson's Disease, Chorea, Tardive Dyskinesia and General Dyskinesia.

"The assistance that the HealthWell Foundation will be able to provide to individuals living with Huntington's disease through this fund addresses an unmet and critical need," said Louise Vetter, President and Chief Executive Officer, Huntington's Disease Society of America. "Huntington's Disease (HD) is a devastating and debilitating disease for which there is no cure. Offering copayment and premium assistance as a resource to HD patients and their families will certainly go a long way in diminishing some of the financial obstacles they face in treating their disease."

Michael S. Okun, M.D., Professor and Chair of Neurology, University of Florida and National Medical Director of the Parkinson's Foundation, commented on the significance of the new fund, "The average patient spends thousands of dollars on treatments that make a substantial difference in their lives, and many families can't absorb the high cost. If a Parkinson's patient misses a single dose of medicine, it can leave them temporarily disabled and unable to function. The Parkinson's Foundation is happy to partner with the HealthWell Foundation to make it easier for patients and families to access the evidence-based therapies to make their lives better."

"Diagnosis and treatment of Tourette Syndrome is a resource-intensive process," said Amanda Talty, Vice President, Resource Development and Marketing, Tourette Association of America. "Limited knowledge and a fundamental misunderstanding of the disorder can be daunting to both patients and providers. Treatment plans vary depending on the severity of the symptoms and many individuals with Tourette often have co-occurring conditions, most commonly Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and anxiety. The ability to offer the HealthWell Foundation's new fund as a financial resource to these patients and their families serves as a critical component in minimizing the frustration they endure from the time of diagnosis through treatment."

"We are excited about the launch of this new fund as it represents hope and a financial lifeline for so many Americans who suffer from these incurable and devastating diseases," said Krista Zodet, HealthWell Foundation President. "It's an honor to work side by side with recognized leaders in these disease communities to ensure that we reach as many patients as possible who will benefit from this resource.  Only through the generosity of our donors are we able to bring financial relief to these patients and give them a little less worry about being able to afford to start or continue treatments."

To learn more about the diseases covered under the fund and to determine eligibility and apply for financial assistance, visit HealthWell's Movement Disorders 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 Huntington's Disease Society of America
The Huntington's Disease Society of America (HDSA) is the premier non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of everyone affected by Huntington's disease. From community services and education to advocacy and research, HDSA is the world's leader in providing help for today and hope for tomorrow for people with Huntington's disease and their families. HDSA's network of chapters, affiliates, HDSA Centers of Excellence, social workers and support groups provides a seamless connection for help, education and outreach to HD families and health care professionals across the United States. To learn more about HDSA, visit: www.hdsa.org.

About the Parkinson's Foundation
The Parkinson's Foundation is working toward a world without Parkinson's disease. Formed by the merger of National Parkinson Foundation and the Parkinson's Disease Foundation in August 2016, the mission of the Parkinson's Foundation is to invest in promising scientific research that will end Parkinson's disease and improve the lives of people with Parkinson's and their families through improved treatments, support and the best care. For more information, visit www.parkinson.org or www.pdf.org, or call (800) 4PD-INFO (473-4636) or (800) 457-6676.

About Tourette Association of America
The Tourette Association of America (TAA) has emerged as the premier national non-profit organization working to make life better for all people affected by Tourette and Tic Disorders. Through education, research and advocacy, TAA provides help, hope and a supportive community across the nation, empowering individuals to deal with the complexities of this spectrum of disorders. Visit www.tourette.org to learn more.

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

SOURCE HealthWell Foundation

Related Links

http://www.healthwellfoundation.org