HealthWell Foundation® Launches New Multiple Sclerosis Fund

Copayment Assistance Now Available to Medicare Patients Living with Multiple Sclerosis

News provided by

Jan 29, 2014, 08:00 ET

GAITHERSBURG, Md., Jan. 29, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- The HealthWell Foundation, an independent non-profit providing nationwide financial assistance to insured Americans with high out-of-pocket medication expenses, today announced the launch of a new fund to assist people with multiple sclerosis (MS). MS is a chronic, often disabling disease that attacks the central nervous system. The fund provides copayment assistance to eligible Medicare patients to ease the burden of out-of-pocket costs associated with the treatment of MS.

"The addition of the multiple sclerosis fund to our program is a further testimony to our commitment to provide patients in need with the financial resources necessary to access the best available treatments," said Krista Zodet, HealthWell Foundation President. "Access to these medications provides these individuals with a viable option for improved mobility and, hopefully, quality of life."

"We are passionate about expanding awareness of the fund to the MS community and look forward to establishing relationships with patient advocacy groups to ensure that these patients have access to the medications they need to properly manage their disease," said Ms. Zodet.

Eric Peacock, CEO and co-founder of MyMSTeam, commented on the launch of the fund, "Our mission at MyMSTeam is to make it easy for people living with multiple sclerosis to find the best people around to help them. Through the launch of this fund, the HealthWell Foundation is addressing a critical need for many by providing financial assistance to Medicare patients living with this debilitating disease. We are pleased that additional funding to help MS patients access the best treatment options will be available and look forward to serving as a valuable resource and partner to the HealthWell Foundation in their outreach to the MS community."

To determine eligibility and apply for assistance through HealthWell Foundation's Multiple Sclerosis Fund, visit the Foundation's website at www.HealthWellFoundation.org.

About Multiple Sclerosis
According to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, more than 2.3 million people worldwide have been diagnosed with MS. Multiple sclerosis is a disease in which the immune system attacks the central nervous system (brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves) and is thought to be triggered, in genetically susceptible individuals, by a combination of one or more environmental factors. People living with MS may experience a range of symptoms such as numbness in the limbs, paralysis, or loss of vision. Symptoms of the disease can also go undetected, making it difficult to diagnose. Diagnosis generally occurs between the ages of 20 and 50, with more than twice as many women as men being diagnosed with the disease. Visit the National Multiple Sclerosis Society to learn more about multiple sclerosis.

About MyMSTeam
MyMSTeam is a social network for those living with multiple sclerosis in the United States. On MyMSTeam it is easy to find and connect with others in the MS community, share tips and support, ask and answer questions, and find first-hand referrals of great providers and MS specialists. MyMSTeam was founded in April 2013. The site is the third health social network created by MyHealthTeams, a San Francisco-based company. MyHealthTeams makes it easy for people to build an online support network by connecting with one another and discovering the best providers around them. To learn more, visit www.MyHealthTeams.com.

About the HealthWell Foundation
The HealthWell Foundation^® is an independent 501(c)(3) charitable organization that provides financial assistance to help cover the cost of prescription drug coinsurance, copayments and deductibles, and health insurance premiums. Since 2004, HealthWell has assisted more than 173,000 adults and children faced with medical emergencies, including chronic and life-altering illnesses. These patients have insurance, and yet cannot afford their part. For more information, visit www.HealthWellFoundation.org.

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

SOURCE HealthWell Foundation