The following organizations are not affiliated with the American Health Assistance Foundation (AHAF). In addition, AHAF does not endorse any particular programs offered by any of these organizations.
Benefits Checkup
A program of the National Council on Aging, their website has a free, easy-to-use service that identifies federal and state assistance programs for older Americans.
www.benefitscheckup.org
Knights Templar Eye Foundation
Financial assistance is provided to those who are unable to pay for surgery necessary to save their sight and yet are not eligible for assistance from social service or government agencies. A letter of denial from a social or government agency is required in order to qualify.
1000 E. State Pkwy., Ste. I
Schaumberg, IL 60173
(847) 490-3838
www.knightstemplar.org
Lions Clubs International
Through local clubs, they provide financial assistance to those who need eye care. Check your phone book for the number of a nearby Lions Club.
300 W. 22nd St.
Oakbrook, IL 60523-8842
(630) 571-5466 (national office)
www.lionsclubs.org
New Eyes for the Needy
A nonprofit volunteer organization that aims to help provide eyeglasses for the poor in areas all over the world. Applicants must provide written proof that they have no other source of assistance. They should explore other sources, such as religious organizations and private sector groups prior to requesting aid from New Eyes.
549 Millburn Ave.
Short Hills, NJ 07078
(973) 376-4903
www.neweyesfortheneedy.org
Partnership for Prescription Assistance
This organization brings together America’s pharmaceutical companies, doctors, other health care providers, patient advocacy organizations and community groups to help qualifying patients who lack prescription coverage get the medicines they need. Its mission is to increase awareness of patient assistance programs and boost enrollment of those who are eligible.
1-888-4PPA-NOW (1-888-477-2669)
www.pparx.org
RxAssist
RxAssist, created by Volunteers in Health Care, is a website that provides visitors with the information necessary to access the pharmaceutical companies’ patient assistance programs.
www.rxassist.org
Seniors EyeCare Program
Sponsored by the American Academy of Ophthalmology Foundation and the Knights Templar Eye Foundation, the Seniors EyeCare program supports the Diabetes EyeCare Program and Age-Related Macular Degeneration EyeCare Program, which provide free and low-cost eye exams and surgical care for U.S. citizens 65 and older who have not had access to an ophthalmologist in three or more years. Also, the Glaucoma EyeCare Program is a division of the American Academy of Ophthalmology Foundation and is partially funded by Pfizer. They offer free examinations for patients with increased risk of glaucoma.
1-800-222-EYES (3937)
www.eyecareamerica.org
S.E.E. International
This organization serves disadvantaged patients who are not eligible for any other social service programs, such as Medicare, MediCal, or Medicaid. To qualify for free, sight-restoring surgery, a patient must be referred to S.E.E. by a recognized social service organization such as Lions Clubs, Catholic Charities, or county health services.
27 C-2 E. De La Guerra
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
(805) 963-3303 or 1-800-20-TO-SEE (86-733)
www.seeintl.org
Social Security Administration
Provides some financial assistance to those who are legally blind or who have vision problems that prevent them from working.
1-800-772-1213
www.ssa.gov
Social Workers
A social worker at a local hospital or various community agencies may be able to identify resources specific to your community.
The Braille Institute of America
The Braille Institute is a private non-profit organization whose mission is to eliminate blindness and severe sight loss as a barrier to a fulfilling life.
1-800-BRAILLE (272-4553)
www.brailleinstitute.org
The Hill-Burton Program
This program ended in 1997, but about 300 hospitals and health care facilities are still obligated to provide free or reduced-cost care. Their website has a directory of participating health care facilities. The program is managed by:
Health Resources and Services Administration
5600 Fishers Ln., Rm. 10-105
Rockville, MD 20857
(301) 443-5656 or 1-800-492-0329 (free in MD)
www.hrsa.gov/hillburton/default.htm
The Medicine Program
This privately funded program coordinates with doctor to assist patients who do not have insurance coverage for outpatient prescription medications and do not qualify for government programs that provide prescription medications.
P.O. Box 1089
Poplar Bluff, MO 63902-1089
(866) 694-3893
www.themedicineprogram.com
Vision USA
Managed by the American Optometric Association and its affiliated state agencies, this national nonprofit charity provides free basic eye health and vision care services to individuals who have no other means of obtaining care.
1-800-766-4466
http://aoa.org/visionusa.xml