2-1-1

Population served: Everyone in the U.S. (check the website for availability in your area)
Mission:

2-1-1 is the telephone number of a call center that offers information and provides referrals to health and human services for everyday needs and in times of crisis. Services vary from community to community.

Examples of service referrals include:

• Basic human need resources: food banks, clothing, shelters, rent assistance and utility assistance
• Physical and mental health resources: medical information lines, crisis intervention services, counseling, drug and alcohol intervention
• Employment support: unemployment benefits, financial assistance, job training, transportation assistance and education programs
• Support for older Americans and persons with disabilities: home healthcare, adult daycare, congregate meals, Meals on Wheels, respite care, transportation and homemaker services
• Support for children, youth and families: childcare, family resource centers, summer camps and recreation programs, mentoring, tutoring and protective services.

2-1-1 Canada

Population served: Certain sections of Canada (check the website for availability in your area)
Mission:

2-1-1 is the telephone number of a call center that offers information and provides referrals to health and human services for everyday needs and in times of crisis. Services vary from community to community.

Examples of service referrals include:

• Health services and support
• Financial and social assistance
• Housing and utility help
• Food assistance and meal programs
• Senior services and home care
• Government program assistance
• Parenting and family programs
• Disability support services
• Volunteer organizations
• Newcomer services
• Mental health support

CancerFinances.org

Contact: Website
Population served: Cancer patients, survivors, caregivers, advocates, and health professionals
Mission:

To provide individuals diagnosed with cancer with information and tools to help make sound financial decisions before, during, and after cancer treatment

• Online ‘Toolkit’ offers targeted information about health insurance, disability insurance, education, employment, family building, medical bills, financial assistance, and more.

Cancer Legal Resource Center (CLRC)

Contact: 866-843-2572
Population served: People affected by cancer as well as community groups, employers and health professionals in the U.S.
Other language(s): Spanish
Mission:

To provide information and resources on cancer-related legal issues to cancer patients, survivors, caregivers, health professionals, employers, and others coping with cancer.

• CLRC offers a national, toll-free telephone assistance line where callers can receive free and confidential information about relevant laws and resources for their particular situation. It is a program of the Disability Rights Legal Center, based in Los Angeles, CA.

• Provides free educational materials on its website, webinars, in-person workshops and trainings on cancer-related legal issues.

Center for Medicare Advocacy

Contact: 860-456-7790
Population served: People with Medicare and their caregivers, professionals
Other language(s): Spanish
Mission:

To advance access to comprehensive Medicare coverage and quality health care for older people and people with disabilities

• Offers Medicare information by phone and through website
• Offers a variety of products for purchase, such as publications, videos, recorded webinars
• Provides Medicare-related legal assistance to residents of the state of Connecticut
• Advocates nationally on Medicare issues for older adults and the disabled.

Center for Patient Partnerships

Contact: 608-890-0321 or advocacy@patientpartnerships.org
Population served: Individuals in the U.S. with life-threatening and serious chronic illnesses, their families, and healthcare professionals
Mission:

To engender effective partnerships among people seeking healthcare, people providing healthcare, and people making policies that guide the healthcare system.

• Provides patient advocacy to people with serious illnesses regardless of income or residence.  Services are provided by supervised students at the University of Wisconsin-Madison Law School during the academic year (closed mid-December to end of January, spring recess, etc.).  May help with diagnosis and treatment concerns, coordination of care, medical decision-making, family matters, employment issues, medical bills and insurance, public benefits, disability programs, etc. Students do not provide legal, medical, nor financial advice.

HealthCare.gov

Contact: 800-318-2596
Population served: Individuals, families and small businesses looking for information about health insurance options
Other language(s): Spanish website and 150 languages translation services available by phone
Mission:

To host health insurance marketplaces and to provide consumers with information on the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA).

• Provides information about health insurance options in each state’s health insurance Marketplace
• Provides information about financial assistance options to purchase insurance in Marketplaces

Healthinsurance.org

Contact: Website
Population served: People seeking information about health insurance available in the United States
Mission:

Offers consumers information on medical insurance options, including federal and state programs, insurance for the self-employed, people with pre-existing conditions, COBRA, etc.

• Information is current and updated as provisions of the Affordable Care Act are being implemented.

HealthWell Foundation

Contact: 800-675-8416
Population served: Underinsured patients in the US living with chronic and life-altering illnesses who need help to afford their medical care and certain out-of-pocket expenses
Other language(s): Spanish
Mission:

To reduce financial barriers to care for underinsured patients with chronic or life-altering diseases.

• As specific disease funds are available, provides financial assistance to underinsured individuals to help with prescription copays; health insurance premiums, deductibles, and co-insurance; pediatric treatment costs; and travel expenses.  Call or check website for eligibility criteria.
• Website provides a resource list with links to other organizations.

Medicare Rights Center (MRC)

Contact: 800-333-4114
Population served: People with Medicare and their caregivers, professionals
Other language(s): Spanish
Mission:

To ensure access to quality, affordable health care coverage for older adults and people with disabilities.

• Non-profit consumer service organization offers resources in easy-to-follow language, to help people with Medicare and their caregivers understand their rights and options
• Telephone helpline offers consultation with knowledgeable counselors about a wide range of Medicare-related issues, including how to reduce premium and prescription drug costs and how to appeal a denial by an HMO or Part D plan
• Biweekly newsletter, Dear Marci, offers explanations of Medicare coverage and options
• Offers comprehensive services to professionals who work with people who have Medicare and must understand the "ins" and "outs" of the system.

National Cancer Legal Services Network

Contact: Website only
Population served: Cancer patients in the U.S., caregivers, health professionals, attorneys
Mission:

This multidisciplinary coalition aims to promote access to healthcare and to increase the availability of legal services for people living with cancer, their families and caregivers.

• Website link to map and listing of legal organizations in the U.S.
• These organizations assist with insurance disputes, public benefits, housing, employment issues, future care and custody planning, immigration, and advance directives.

Patient Access Network (PAN) Foundation

Contact: 866-316-7263
Population served: Underinsured patients in the U.S. living with life-threatening, chronic, and rare illnesses who need help with their out-of-pocket treatment costs.
Mission:

At the PAN Foundation, we help people with life-threatening, chronic, and rare diseases pay for the out-pf-pocket costs of their treatment

• Offers 12-month grants to help with the co-pays, deductibles, coinsurance, or premiums for nearly 70 disease areas. Also offers a transportation financial assistance program for PAN patients.
• An easy online application process and instant determination of eligibility. Secure online portals to enroll and manage grants and claims.
• Our free app, FundFinder, tracks more than 200 assistance funds at eight charitable assistance organizations. You can sign up to be notified by text or email as soon as a fund opens, so you don’t miss a chance to apply.

Patient Advocate Foundation (PAF)

Contact: 800-532-5274
Population served: People in the U.S. with chronic, life-threatening and debilitating illnesses
Other language(s): Spanish, translation services available by phone
Mission:

To provide professional case management services to Americans with chronic, life threatening and debilitating illnesses.

• PAF Case Managers serve as active liaisons between the patient and their insurer, employer and/or creditors to resolve insurance, job retention and/or debt crisis matters as they relate to their diagnosis; may also be assisted by doctors and healthcare attorneys. PAF seeks to safeguard patients through effective mediation assuring access to care, maintenance of employment and preservation of their financial stability.
• Offers PAF authored publications and content, distributes booklets and publications
• Offers an annual scholarship program for survivors
• PAF Co-Pay Relief Program provides direct financial assistance to insured patients who meet certain qualifications to help them pay for the prescriptions and/or treatments they need. This assistance helps patients afford the out-of-pocket costs for these items that their insurance companies require. For details, call 866-512-3861.

Patient Services, Inc. (PSI)

Contact: 800-366-7741
Population served: People with chronic illnesses and conditions in the U.S.
Other language(s): Spanish
Mission:

PSI supports people with expensive chronic illnesses and conditions through locating solutions with health insurance and assisting with premiums and prescription co-payments to facilitate positive health and well-being.

• Evaluates an individual's financial, medical, and insurance situation to determine who is eligible for premium or co-payment assistance.
• Offers an interactive insurance navigation tool to help locate potential insurance options in the U.S.

Social Security Disability Help

Contact: Website only
Population served: People seeking information about Social Security Disability Insurance
Mission:

To inform people on how to navigate the process of applying for Social Security Disability benefits

• Provides information to individuals who are seeking to apply for Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits or have been denied
• Helps to locate an attorney or advocate who can assist with the process 
• Offers an online forum, blog, and list of helpful resources such as a glossary, FAQs, and disability benefits calculator.

Survivorship A to Z, Inc.

Contact: Website only
Population served: People living with cancer or HIV/AIDS and their caregivers, health professionals
Mission:

To provide people with a life challenging condition such as cancer or HIV/AIDS with all the practical, legal and financial information they need through the entire continuum after a diagnosis.

• Online resource for information about employment, insurance, finances, government programs, day to day living, medical care, planning ahead, emotional well-being.

Triage Cancer

Contact: 424-258-4628 or TriageCancer.org/GetHelp
Population served: Individuals diagnosed with cancer, caregivers, advocates, and healthcare professionals
Mission:

To provide education on legal and practical issues that may impact individuals diagnosed with cancer and their caregivers

• Provides education on issues related to work, insurance, disability benefits, finances, estate planning, medical decision-making, and more. Offers free in-person and online educational events, materials, animated videos, and state-specific resources. Provides free one-on-one help to assist individuals understand their options and possible next steps, as well as CancerFinances.org, which helps people navigate finances after cancer.