Financial Aid
Benefits Checkup®
National Council on Aging Provides information on federal and state programs that offer assistance in paying for prescription drugs, utility bills, health care and other needs of older Americans.
www.benefitscheckup.org
EyeCare America
A program of the American Academy of Ophthalmology provides eye exams and up to one year of care to US citizens and legal residents through volunteer ophthalmologists often at no out-of-pocket cost to those who qualify.
http://www.eyecareamerica.org/
1-877-887-6327
Hill Burton Program
The program ended in 1997, but about 300 hospitals and healthcare facilities are still obligated to provide free or reduced-cost care. The website has a directory of participating healthcare facilities.
www.hrsa.gov/hillburton
1-800-638-0742
Maryland Residents: 1-800-492-0359
Knights Templar Eye Foundation
Provides financial assistance to those unable to pay for surgery but who are not eligible for assistance from social or government agencies. A letter of denial from a social or government agency is required in order to qualify. Also you must be a United States citizen to qualify and be under the age of 65. If you are over the age of 65, you will be referred to the Seniors Eye Care Program.
www.knightstemplar.org
(847) 490-3838
Lions Clubs International
Provides financial assistance to those who need eye care. Check the phone book for local Lions Clubs.
www.lionsclubs.org
(630) 571-5466
New Eyes for the Needy
Helps provide eyeglasses for the poor worldwide. Applicants must provide written proof that they have no other source of assistance.
www.neweyesfortheneedy.org
(973) 376-4903
Partnership for Prescription Assistance
Helps qualifying patients who lack prescription coverage get the medicines they need through appropriate public or private programs.
www.pparx.org
1-888-477-2669
Prescription Assistance Programs
The following section will provide you with financial assistance information for prescription medications.
www.brightfocus.org/rxassistance3
RxAssist
Offers information on patient assistance programs sponsored by pharmaceutical companies that provide free medications to those who cannot afford them.
www.rxassist.org/
(401) 729-3284
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 includes the Glaucoma EyeCare Program, a division of the American Academy of Ophthalmology Foundation (partially funded by Pfizer, Inc.) that offers free examinations for patients at increased risk of glaucoma.
http://www.eyecareamerica.org/eyecare/news/upload/public-service-info-sheet.pdf
1-800-222-3937
SEE International
Serves disadvantaged patients who are not eligible for any other social service programs such as Medicare or Medicaid. Contact SEE for information on qualification requirements.
www.seeintl.org
(805) 963-3303
Social Security Administration
Provides some financial assistance to those who are legally blind or who have vision problems that prevent them from employment.
www.ssa.gov
1-800-772-1213
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.
www.aoa.org/visionusa.xml
1-800-766-4466
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Last Review: 04/28/13
