14 msfocusmagazine.org Hot Topics General Assistance Programs • The National Library of Medicine and National Institute of Health is a great "one-stop shop" site that provides links for Medicaid, children's health assistance programs, disease-specific assistance, and more. www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/financialassistance.html • The “Affiliate Search” at Mental Health America’s website you can find treatment, support groups, and a host of other resources available to low income individuals or individuals with no health insurance who find themselves in need of counseling or support. www.mentalhealthamerica.net/find-affiliate • TheHealthResourcesandServicesAdministration provides a link to helpyou find a community health center in your area. Community health centers can frequently help address physical and mental health issues. www.hrsa.gov/gethealthcare/affordable/index.html • TheNationalAssociationofFreeClinics provides a list of free clinics throughout the United States. www.nafcclinics.org • PatientSystemsInc.provides financial support and guidance forqualified patientswith specific, rare chronic diseases. If you do not see an assistance program for your diagnosis, complete the assistance request form. www.patientservicesinc.org/patients/supported-illnesses • Needy Meds is a nonprofit organization which provides resources for those who cannot afford medical care or prescriptions. Theirwebsite provides links to SCHIP, Medicaid, patient advocacy groups and other programs. www.needymeds.org Patient Assistance Programs • National Conference of State Legislatures many states offer a discount drug program. To find out what types of programs your state offers, you will have to scroll down the page. There are also a number of private organizations that offer assistance with paying for medications. www.ncsl.org/research/health/state-pharmaceutical-assistance-programs.aspx. • RxHope offers a helping hand to people in need by assisting with obtaining critical medications. www.rxhope.com • Partnership for Prescription Assistance is to out to increase awareness of patient assistance programs and boost enrollment of eligible individuals. They offer a single point of access to more than 475 public and private programs, including about 200 programs offered by biopharmaceutical companies. They’ve helped millions of Americans to get prescription drugs for free or at very low cost. www.pparx.org • FamilyWize is a nonprofit organization that provides free prescription discount cards. The cards can be used by those with no health insurance, and for those with healthcare coverage during deductible. familywize.org