In Pain, Out of Work and Can't Pay the Bills
A Resource Directory for People With CRPS

Health Services and Insurance

Handling Disputes with Your Employer or Private Health Plan

Consumer Guide to Handling Disputes with Your Employer of Private Health Plan, 2005 Update
The Kaiser Family Foundation is a nonprofit, private operating foundation dedicated to providing information and analysis on health care issues to policymakers, the media, the health care community, and the general public.

Published by the Kaiser Family Foundation and the Consumers Union, the Guide includes the following sections:
Knowing Your Coverage
Appealing to your Health Plan
Getting an Independent Opinion—External Review in Your State
How Consumers Faired Under External Review Programs
State-by-State External Review Programs

Health Assistance Partnership (HAP)
HAP works with State Health Insurance Assistance Programs (SHIPs) on initiatives that develop the resources and capacity necessary to deliver education and personalized counseling and assistance to Medicare beneficiaries, so they can make informed healthcare decisions.
Contact:
Health Assistance Partnership
1201 New York Avenue, NW
Suite 1100
Washington, DC  20005
Tel: 202.737.6340
Fax: 202.737.8583
E-mail: shiphelp@hapnetwork.org

Hospital Care

Part of the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) administered by the Department of Health and Human Services, the Hill-Burton program offers free or low-cost healthcare in select hospitals around the country. In addition, many health facilities are required to give healthcare to some people who cannot afford to pay.

The Hill-Burton program has a toll-free hotline (800.638.0742); calls are primarily received from individuals who have incurred medical bills that they are unable to pay or who are currently in need of medical services for which they are unable to pay. In addition, the hotline receives calls from hospitals and other health care providers, voluntary organizations, state and local government agencies, the news media and others.

For general information regarding the program, contact the Division of Facilities Compliance and Recovery at 800.638.0742 or visit their website.

Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) database of federally-funded health centers

The Remote Area Medical® (RAM) Volunteer Corps
This not-for-profit, volunteer, airborne relief corps is dedicated to serving mankind by providing free health care, dental care, eye care, veterinary services, and technical and educational assistance to people in remote areas of the United States and the world.
Contact:
Remote Area Medical®
1834 Beech Street
Knoxville, TN 37920
Tel: 865.579.1530
E-mail: ram@ramusa.org

Patient Advocation Foundation's Co-Pay Relief Program: Pain Fund

Dental Care

National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) List of Local Dental Schools
Many dental schools have clinics that provide care at reduced or no cost.

National Foundation of Dentistry for the Handicapped
This organization, which is a charitable affiliate of the American Dental Association, is committed, through collaboration, to arranging comprehensive
dental treatment and long-term preventive services to needy disabled, elderly or medically compromised individuals through a national network of direct service programs that involve more than 12,900 volunteer dentists and 2,700 volunteer laboratories.

The Donated Dental Services (DDS) program tends to the essential and comprehensive dental care needs of disabled, elderly or medically-compromised individuals who cannot afford necessary treatment nor get public aid. A DDS Coordinator is the liaison between the patient, the labs and the dentists, answering any and all questions, assisting the patient, the lab and the dentist with every aspect.

The Dental HouseCalls program was established to bring care to people who cannot easily travel to dentists’ offices: residents of nursing homes, homebound individuals and developmentally disabled people attending day programs or living in residential centers.  A fully equipped, portable dental office is transported in a van and set-up at bedside or in the facilities so dentists can serve these individuals.

Contact:
National Foundation of Dentistry for the Handicappied (NFDH)
1800 15th Street, Suite 100
Denver, CO 80202
Tel: 303.534.5360
Fax: 303.534.5290

Vision Care

EyeCare America—National Eye Care Project
EyeCare America is a public service program of the Foundation of the American Academy of Opthalmology. Their mission is to reduce avoidable blindness and severe visual impairment by raising awareness about eye disease and care, providing free eye health education materials and facilitating access to medical eye care.
Contact:
EyeCare Program
Tel: 800.222.EYES (3937)

Vision USA
Sponsored by the American Optometric Association (AOA) for low-income working Americans, the program provides basic eye care and vision care services free of charge to those who do not qualify for government aid or private healthcare assistance.
Contact:
VISION USA
243 North Lindbergh Blvd.
St. Louis, MO 63141
Tel: 800.766.4466
Fax: 314.991.4101
E-mail: visionusa@aoa.org

Introduction
Assistive Devices
Caregiver Resources
Clinical Trials
Disability Resources
Government Assistance Programs
Health Services/Insurance
Independent Living Centers
Legal Aid
Living Expenses
Patient Assistance Programs
Service, Faith-based, and Private Organizations
Transportation
Veterans
Workers Compensation

Appendices:
Federal Poverty Guidelines
Finding Free Clinics

Updated January 3, 2012