#Cancer Care #HealthWell Foundation #copay assistance

Charitable Copay Assistance: A Lifeline for Patients with Serious Illnesses

A recent comprehensive survey has shed light on the essential role that charitable copay assistance plays for patients suffering from serious illnesses, particularly cancer and autoimmune diseases. Conducted by the HealthWell Foundation, this survey represents the largest gathering of data on patients who rely on such financial aid, revealing alarming insights into the healthcare access challenges they face.

High Out-of-Pocket Expenses

Many patients, even those insured by Medicare, encounter overwhelming out-of-pocket costs that affect their treatment options. The survey included responses from 1,550 seriously ill individuals across the United States and found that approximately 31% of participants would be unable to afford treatment if they lost their charitable copay support. Dr. Jeffrey Peppercorn, an oncologist and the study's principal author, emphasized that a significant number of older Americans mistakenly believe that Medicare would cover all serious illness-related expenses, not recognizing the potential financial burdens that still exist.

The Financial Strain

Among the patients surveyed, financial distress was widespread. Many reported substantial economic challenges, with 53% indicating mild financial distress and 31% expressing moderate to severe financial hardship even while receiving charitable assistance. Alarmingly, these patients often had to make difficult choices, including forgoing medical appointments or reducing essential expenditures, such as food, while coping with healthcare costs that consumed nearly 10% of their income—a threshold that defines being