Welcome to our comprehensive list of ten charities that help pay for surgery and provide much-needed financial assistance for individuals in need. Accessing quality medical care can be a daunting challenge, especially when faced with financial constraints or a lack of health insurance.
However, numerous charity care programs are available to assist patients on the path towards recovery and better healthcare outcomes. From hospital financial assistance policies to federal poverty level-based aid from organizations like the Patient Advocate Foundation, Healthwell Foundation, American Cancer Society and The PAN Foundation.
These human services are crucial in bridging the gap between uncovered medical expenses and quality health care provision. Uninsured patients, insured patients struggling with high medical bills, or those requiring specialized medical equipment can turn to these listed charities as viable solutions during their time of need.
Healthwell Foundation
The HealthWell Foundation is a prominent independent non-profit organization dedicated to improving access to healthcare for underinsured individuals in America. Their mission is to reduce financial barriers for patients with chronic or life-altering diseases by assisting with copays, premiums, deductibles, and out-of-pocket expenses. Established in 2004, the foundation has since provided more than $3.3 billion in aid and supported over 822,000 patients.
Key programs under the HealthWell Foundation include assistance with prescription copays, health insurance costs, pediatric treatment expenses, travel costs associated with medical care, and behavioral health services. In 2022 alone, the foundation awarded over $896 million through their Disease Funds program.
With a vision of ensuring that no patient goes without healthcare due to financial constraints, HealthWell maintains strong partnerships with leading patient advocacy groups and healthcare organizations. The foundation stands out as a top-rated charity where every dollar donated goes directly towards aiding patients’ needs.
American Cancer Society
The American Cancer Society is a leading organization dedicated to ending cancer and improving the lives of people with cancer through advocacy, research, and patient support. They provide various resources and programs to help individuals manage their medical expenses related to cancer treatment.
Their services include assistance with short-term housing near treatment centers through their Hope Lodge® program, as well as helping families find caregiver support in certain states through Cash and Counseling Programs. Additionally, they offer transportation cost assistance for Medicaid patients or disabled individuals who cannot use public transit systems. The Road To Recovery® volunteer-driven program also helps transport patients for treatments in specific areas.
Moreover, the society offers financial aid options such as SNAP (formerly Food Stamp Program), Meals on Wheels, dental insurance alternatives like NeedyMeds database of dental clinics, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) grants program for basic needs provision, Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) phone service help options based on income levels.
Patient Advocate Foundation
Patient Advocate Foundation (PAF) is a national non-profit organization dedicated to providing case management services and financial aid to Americans suffering from chronic, life-threatening, and debilitating illnesses. With a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion strategies, PAF strives to address inequalities within healthcare systems.
PAF’s Case Management Program provides free one-on-one support to patients and families affected by serious health conditions. Aiming to reduce their practical and financial burden while navigating through treatment options, services include help with access to care, payment for treatments, living expenses assistance, as well as employment matters such as understanding employee benefits and disability insurance.
Moreover, an independent division of PAF offers small grants via Financial Aid Funds for patients who meet established medical and financial criteria. The application process for financial assistance can be initiated online or via phone at 855-824-7941.
While remaining committed toward providing equitable solutions and reducing barriers in healthcare access for more than 25 years now; Patient Advocate Foundation continues its mission of serving patients in need during their fight against devastating illnesses.
Needy Meds
NeedyMeds, a national U.S. non-profit organization, strives to provide affordable healthcare for all by connecting individuals to programs that help cover the costs of medications and other healthcare needs. They offer information about Patient Assistance Programs (PAPs), which supply low-income patients with free or low-cost prescription medication.
In addition to PAPs, NeedyMeds offers support for people enrolled in Medicare Part D and helps those seeking assistance for smoking cessation. They also provide information on Free/Low Cost Clinics across the country and can aid in finding discounts on over-the-counter drugs or medical supplies like diabetic equipment.
Mercy Ships
Mercy Ships is an international charity founded in 1978, dedicated to providing humanitarian aid through its non-governmental hospital ships. Focused on Africa for the past 30 years, their services include free health care, community development projects, mental health programs, agriculture initiatives, and palliative care for terminally ill patients.
Stemming from a vision by Don Stephens and inspired by Mother Teresa’s work in India, Mercy Ships uses both retired ocean liners converted into hospital ships and purpose-built vessels like the Global Mercy.
The organization focuses on offering life-changing surgeries, including eye care, mental health support, general surgeries, oral health services, maxillofacial procedures, orthopedic operations, palliative care women’s health initiatives and plastic reconstructions. In addition to providing direct healthcare assistance through their hospital ships staffed with trained volunteer professionals from various countries.
Surgical Volunteers International
Surgical Volunteers International (SVI), founded by Tom Flood in 2007, is a dedicated charity focused on providing vital surgical treatments to children and young adults with various medical conditions. By offering their services in countries like Egypt, Vietnam, Guatemala, Colombia, Morocco, and India.
SVI aims to support those who may not otherwise have access to proper care. With an impressive track record of completing 56 surgical missions and treating over 2,500 individuals – mostly children – this organization addresses issues such as clefts, burns, urological problems and gynecological concerns.
The PAN Foundation
The PAN Foundation is a leading charitable organization founded in 2004, focusing on providing financial assistance to underinsured individuals suffering from life-threatening, chronic, and rare diseases. By assisting with their out-of-pocket costs and advocating for improved access and affordability, PAN has helped more than one million patients with over $4 billion in financial aid.
Partnering with donors, healthcare providers, and pharmacies, the foundation ensures that underinsured patients have access to vital healthcare treatments while working towards long-term solutions for healthcare accessibility. Their various grant programs cover medication co-pay costs (including generics), transportation expenses to health-promoting activities as well as health insurance premiums. The grants provided typically last for 12 months but may offer additional funding through second or renewal grants if required.
American Red Cross
The American Red Cross is dedicated to preventing and alleviating human suffering in emergency situations by mobilizing the power of volunteers and utilizing the generosity of donors. With a strong network of partners, they strive to turn compassion into action by providing support in disaster relief, blood donation, military family assistance, and emergency training.
Adhering to their fundamental principles – Humanity, Impartiality, Neutrality, Independence, Voluntary Service,uinty ,and Universality – the organization aims at establishing lasting peace amongst all people. The American Red Cross functions as an independent entity working alongside national societies across the globe for humanitarian services.
National Association of Free and Charitable Clinics (NAFC)
The National Association of Free and Charitable Clinics (NAFC) is dedicated to building healthy communities through quality, equitable, and accessible healthcare for all. With a vision for a just society that ensures a healthy life and well-being for every individual, the NAFC values human dignity, access to compassionate care, volunteerism, and community collaboration.
The organization operates under a policy governance model with six Ends Priorities focused on increasing access to information and resources, effective public policies addressing the medically underserved population’s needs, and supporting Free and Charitable Clinics’ growth in capacity to serve those with unmet health care needs.
NAFC provides vital resources such as grant opportunities, donated supplies/services/medication access programs like the Volunteers in Medical program which helps communities start new clinics or expand existing ones. In 2020 alone their efforts provided over $286 million worth of medications & supplies from various partners.
Doctors Without Borders
Doctors Without Borders is a medical humanitarian organization that operates in over 70 countries, providing emergency medical aid to people in crisis. With principles of independence, impartiality, and neutrality guiding their work, they offer assistance based on need alone without consideration of race, religion, gender or political affiliation. Their commitments also include upholding medical ethics and bearing witness to crises while maintaining transparency and accountability.
Having diverse programs in response to various challenges like war and conflict, natural disasters, epidemics and pandemics; they focus on reaching the most vulnerable populations including refugees and internally displaced persons. Their efforts include life-saving treatments, vaccinations as well as improving water sanitation services among others.
Resurge
ReSurge is a medical charity with a mission to train, fund, and scale reconstructive surgical teams in low-income countries. They focus on providing life-changing care to patients with the greatest need by partnering with promising surgeons and strengthening surgical systems.
Their capacity building programs and direct patient care funding give surgeons in these regions the tools required to positively impact their communities with transformative care. ReSurge offers hands-on virtual training through leading institutions like Stanford University and Johns Hopkins.
The charity’s work includes supporting local Surgical Outreach Partners who provide no-cost surgeries for those in need and advocating for global surgery as a priority on the global health agenda. They also address gender equity issues through women’s empowerment programs.
