Tuesday, May 05, 2009
Saturday, February 14, 2009
No health insurance? Get help here
From Cnn
Click below for full story.
http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/02/12/ep.health.insurance.help/index.html
Negotiating with doctors and hospitals is just one thing you have to learn how to do when your insurance disappears, says Steve Luptak, executive director of an assistance group called Healthcare Advocacy. "I've had so many people who've just been laid off coming to me for help because they've lost their insurance. They're so stressed, they're so depressed, they feel like it's the end of the world," he says. "But there are things you can do. It's not a futile situation," he says. Watch for more tips for the uninsured »
If you want to try to get new, affordable insurance, or find programs that offer you financial help for doctor's visits, prescription drugs and more, follow these steps:
Step 1: Get good advice
When you get laid off and lose your health insurance, you may need someone in your corner. Several places specialize in helping people find new, affordable insurance and free care:
Healthcare Advocacy
Patient Advocate Foundation
Patient Services Incorporated
Step 2: Search for affordable insurance
With advice from experts at the groups above, begin your search for affordable insurance. Start with COBRA, which means you continue with your employer's insurance, except now you're paying the entire premium on your own. You can learn about COBRA at the Department of Labor's Web site.
If you can't afford to go on COBRA, you're in good company; a recent study by the Commonwealth Fund found that only nine percent of people who are offered COBRA actually use it. Sometimes it's less expensive to buy your own insurance policy rather than going on COBRA. You can compare prices at ehealthinsurance.com.
Step 3: Get your child on SCHIP
Even if you have too much money to qualify for Medicaid, your children may qualify for SCHIP, the State Children's Health Insurance Program. Here's a state-by-state directory of SCHIP programs.
There are other government programs, too. Your entire family may qualify for insurance from a state high-risk pool if you live in a state that has one.
If you think you might quality for Medicaid, see this state-by-state Medicaid directory.
Step 4: Get help with prescription drugs
If you can't afford health insurance -- or if your insurance doesn't include good prescription drug benefits -- look for $4 generic drugs at many major supermarkets and drug stores. Also, your state may offer a discount drug program (after you click, scroll down to see Table 2). You can also check these private groups that offer prescription assistance.
HealthWell Foundation
FamilyWize discount drug card
Needy Meds
Rx Assist
Rx Hope
Chronic Disease Fund
Partnership for Prescription Assistance
The Access Project
Step 5: Find financial assistance for your particular disease
Many diseases have specific foundations that offer financial assistance.
Heart Disease: Heart Support of America
Kidney Disease: American Kidney Fund
HIV/AIDS: The Access Project
Hepatitis: The Access Project
Cancer: see this Empowered Patient for a list of services
Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency, Chronic Granulomatous Disorder, Huntington's Disease, Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis, and Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Caring Voice Coalition
Other rare diseases: National Organization for Rare Diseases
Vision Care: EyeCare America and Vision USA
Step 6: Find free clinics
Federally funded health centers offer free care in both urban and rural areas. Put in your address here and find one near you.
Click below for full story.
http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/02/12/ep.health.insurance.help/index.html
Negotiating with doctors and hospitals is just one thing you have to learn how to do when your insurance disappears, says Steve Luptak, executive director of an assistance group called Healthcare Advocacy. "I've had so many people who've just been laid off coming to me for help because they've lost their insurance. They're so stressed, they're so depressed, they feel like it's the end of the world," he says. "But there are things you can do. It's not a futile situation," he says. Watch for more tips for the uninsured »
If you want to try to get new, affordable insurance, or find programs that offer you financial help for doctor's visits, prescription drugs and more, follow these steps:
Step 1: Get good advice
When you get laid off and lose your health insurance, you may need someone in your corner. Several places specialize in helping people find new, affordable insurance and free care:
Healthcare Advocacy
Patient Advocate Foundation
Patient Services Incorporated
Step 2: Search for affordable insurance
With advice from experts at the groups above, begin your search for affordable insurance. Start with COBRA, which means you continue with your employer's insurance, except now you're paying the entire premium on your own. You can learn about COBRA at the Department of Labor's Web site.
If you can't afford to go on COBRA, you're in good company; a recent study by the Commonwealth Fund found that only nine percent of people who are offered COBRA actually use it. Sometimes it's less expensive to buy your own insurance policy rather than going on COBRA. You can compare prices at ehealthinsurance.com.
Step 3: Get your child on SCHIP
Even if you have too much money to qualify for Medicaid, your children may qualify for SCHIP, the State Children's Health Insurance Program. Here's a state-by-state directory of SCHIP programs.
There are other government programs, too. Your entire family may qualify for insurance from a state high-risk pool if you live in a state that has one.
If you think you might quality for Medicaid, see this state-by-state Medicaid directory.
Step 4: Get help with prescription drugs
If you can't afford health insurance -- or if your insurance doesn't include good prescription drug benefits -- look for $4 generic drugs at many major supermarkets and drug stores. Also, your state may offer a discount drug program (after you click, scroll down to see Table 2). You can also check these private groups that offer prescription assistance.
HealthWell Foundation
FamilyWize discount drug card
Needy Meds
Rx Assist
Rx Hope
Chronic Disease Fund
Partnership for Prescription Assistance
The Access Project
Step 5: Find financial assistance for your particular disease
Many diseases have specific foundations that offer financial assistance.
Heart Disease: Heart Support of America
Kidney Disease: American Kidney Fund
HIV/AIDS: The Access Project
Hepatitis: The Access Project
Cancer: see this Empowered Patient for a list of services
Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency, Chronic Granulomatous Disorder, Huntington's Disease, Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis, and Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Caring Voice Coalition
Other rare diseases: National Organization for Rare Diseases
Vision Care: EyeCare America and Vision USA
Step 6: Find free clinics
Federally funded health centers offer free care in both urban and rural areas. Put in your address here and find one near you.
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Kidney News PKD Blog
Plexxikon and Roche Enter Second Partnership to Develop PLX5568 ...WELT ONLINE, Germany - Jan 8, 2009... partnership will be the development of this small molecule inhibitor of Raf kinase as an oral therapeutic treatment for polycystic kidney disease (PKD). ...Roche, Plexxikon In Drug Deal Potentially Worth $335 Million EasyBourse.comRoche and Plexxikon Sign Agreement To Jointly Develop Polycystic ... RTT NewsPlexxikon teams up with Roche, eyes $335M to fight kidney disease VentureBeatFierceBiotech - TMCnetall 22 news articles » OTC:RHHBY
Local kidney recipient wants incentives for organ donationsBaltimore Examiner, MD - Jan 21, 2009"People will do it if they are related, and then beyond that, it takes a heap of altruism," said Jones, of Sparks, who has adult polycystic kidney disease. ...
Extremely Great and Incredibly CheapTheStranger.com, WA - Jan 21, 2009The history combined with a CAT scan showed the hereditary polycystic kidney disease, which can cause brain aneurysms. (The patient's mother had died of an ...
Net service offers chance to save lifeLos Angeles Daily News, CA - Jan 18, 2009"Our brother needs a kidney transplant because he has polycystic kidney disease," Regina wrote on the site. "Unfortunately all of his siblings were ...
Local kidney recipient wants incentives for organ donationsBaltimore Examiner, MD - Jan 21, 2009"People will do it if they are related, and then beyond that, it takes a heap of altruism," said Jones, of Sparks, who has adult polycystic kidney disease. ...
Extremely Great and Incredibly CheapTheStranger.com, WA - Jan 21, 2009The history combined with a CAT scan showed the hereditary polycystic kidney disease, which can cause brain aneurysms. (The patient's mother had died of an ...
Net service offers chance to save lifeLos Angeles Daily News, CA - Jan 18, 2009"Our brother needs a kidney transplant because he has polycystic kidney disease," Regina wrote on the site. "Unfortunately all of his siblings were ...
Friday, October 03, 2008
Thursday, October 02, 2008
Monday, September 22, 2008
Kidney News PKD Blog
Tengion Announces Expanded European Orphan Medicinal Product Designation For Neo-Bladder Augment
22 September 2008
Tengion Inc., a clinical stage regenerative medicine company focused on the development of neo-organs and neo-tissues, today announced that the European Medicines Agency (EMEA) and the European Commission (EC) have formally...[read article]
Scientific Abstracts On Cystinosis Research Are Published In October Issue Of Pediatric Nephrology
Gyrus ACMI, An Olympus Company, Launches Lightweight & Ergonomic, Digital Nephroscope
Elevated Levels Of Uric Acid In Healthy People Suggests A Greater Risk Of Developing Kidney Disease
New Gene Variant Identified For Non Diabetic End Stage Renal Disease In African Americans
Stateline.org Examines State Ballot Measures Related To Health Care
Initiatives Seek To Raise Health Awareness Among Hispanics, Educate Blacks About Chronic Diseases, Recognize Culturally Tailored Insurance Programs
Gordon Brown Praises NHS Staff On Reductions In C. Difficile And MRSA Infections, UK
High Blood Pressure Takes Big Toll On Small Filtering Units Of The Kidney
Pepperoni Pizza And Pelvic Pain
22 September 2008
Tengion Inc., a clinical stage regenerative medicine company focused on the development of neo-organs and neo-tissues, today announced that the European Medicines Agency (EMEA) and the European Commission (EC) have formally...[read article]
Scientific Abstracts On Cystinosis Research Are Published In October Issue Of Pediatric Nephrology
Gyrus ACMI, An Olympus Company, Launches Lightweight & Ergonomic, Digital Nephroscope
Elevated Levels Of Uric Acid In Healthy People Suggests A Greater Risk Of Developing Kidney Disease
New Gene Variant Identified For Non Diabetic End Stage Renal Disease In African Americans
Stateline.org Examines State Ballot Measures Related To Health Care
Initiatives Seek To Raise Health Awareness Among Hispanics, Educate Blacks About Chronic Diseases, Recognize Culturally Tailored Insurance Programs
Gordon Brown Praises NHS Staff On Reductions In C. Difficile And MRSA Infections, UK
High Blood Pressure Takes Big Toll On Small Filtering Units Of The Kidney
Pepperoni Pizza And Pelvic Pain
Tuesday, September 09, 2008
Kidney Headlines PKD Blog
Plexxikon Initiates Phase 1 Trial for PLX5568 - First-in-Class Drug For The Treatment of Pain and Polycystic Kidney Disease
New Solution For Malnourished Dialysis Patients
Study Points To One Cause Of Higher Rates Of Transplanted Kidney Rejection In Blacks
Robotic Kidney Removal Performed In Michigan
Hope rekindles for chronic kidney disease patientsVanguard, Nigeria - 11 hours agoThe potential for seals composed of the patient’s native tissue to reduce the inflammatory response may translate to a decrease in post-surgical adhesions.
Coated Catheters Reduce Infection Risk
American Kidney Fund's Disaster Relief Program Available To Dialysis Patients
Improved Understanding Of Kidney Diseases
New Solution For Malnourished Dialysis Patients
Study Points To One Cause Of Higher Rates Of Transplanted Kidney Rejection In Blacks
Robotic Kidney Removal Performed In Michigan
Hope rekindles for chronic kidney disease patientsVanguard, Nigeria - 11 hours agoThe potential for seals composed of the patient’s native tissue to reduce the inflammatory response may translate to a decrease in post-surgical adhesions.
Coated Catheters Reduce Infection Risk
American Kidney Fund's Disaster Relief Program Available To Dialysis Patients
Improved Understanding Of Kidney Diseases
Saturday, September 06, 2008
ARDvark Blog Journal of Adhesion Related Disorder: FDA:Potential Signals of Serious Risks/New Safety Information Identified by the Adverse Event Reporting System (AERS)
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Kidnay News PKD Blog
Op-Eds Address Presidential Candidates' Health Care Proposals
For Dialysis Patients, Catheterization Sites Do Not Carry Very Different Infection Risks
Preclinical Data Demonstrate Ability To Regenerate An Entire Bladder With Tengion Neo-Bladder Replacement(TM)
Access To The Bloodstream For Kidney Dialysis Not Improved By Reducing Blockage
Patients With Acute Kidney Injury Do Not Have Improved Outcomes With More Intensive Dialysis
Risk Of Diabetes May Be Increased By Anti-Rejection Drug Administered After Kidney Transplant
Striving Toward Better Diagnosis And Treatment Of Liver Diseases
Black Patients Face Higher Rates Of Death In Early Stages Of Chronic Kidney Disease
Prospective Study Of The Long-Term Effects Of Shock Wave Lithotripsy On Renal Function And Blood Pressure
Risk Of Death In Patients Waiting For Kidney Transplants Increased By Hidden Heart Condition
Vitamin D Linked To Reduced Mortality Rate In Chronic Kidney Disease
For Dialysis Patients, Catheterization Sites Do Not Carry Very Different Infection Risks
Preclinical Data Demonstrate Ability To Regenerate An Entire Bladder With Tengion Neo-Bladder Replacement(TM)
Access To The Bloodstream For Kidney Dialysis Not Improved By Reducing Blockage
Patients With Acute Kidney Injury Do Not Have Improved Outcomes With More Intensive Dialysis
Risk Of Diabetes May Be Increased By Anti-Rejection Drug Administered After Kidney Transplant
Striving Toward Better Diagnosis And Treatment Of Liver Diseases
Black Patients Face Higher Rates Of Death In Early Stages Of Chronic Kidney Disease
Prospective Study Of The Long-Term Effects Of Shock Wave Lithotripsy On Renal Function And Blood Pressure
Risk Of Death In Patients Waiting For Kidney Transplants Increased By Hidden Heart Condition
Vitamin D Linked To Reduced Mortality Rate In Chronic Kidney Disease
Plexxikon Presents Positive Results From Preclinical Kidney Disease Study
Posted on: Thursday, 22 May 2008, 11:52 CDT
Plexxikon has announced positive data from preclinical studies of polycystic kidney disease demonstrating significantly reduced kidney disease following treatment with Plexxikon's novel drug candidate.
In the preclinical study of Plexxikon's polycystic kidney disease (PKD) drug candidate, doses of the drug candidate were administered orally daily for 14 days. A marked reduction in kidney cyst burden was observed in the treatment group compared to vehicle treated mice.
Levels of blood urea nitrogen, an indicator of kidney function, were also significantly improved in the drug-treated groups compared with the vehicle-treated group, suggesting that improved renal function accompanied reduced cyst growth in treated animals.
Plexxikon's novel small molecule kinase inhibitor is said to be a highly selective and potent inhibitor of Raf kinase, a critical mediator of PKD pathology.
Source: Datamonitor
Plexxikon has announced positive data from preclinical studies of polycystic kidney disease demonstrating significantly reduced kidney disease following treatment with Plexxikon's novel drug candidate.
In the preclinical study of Plexxikon's polycystic kidney disease (PKD) drug candidate, doses of the drug candidate were administered orally daily for 14 days. A marked reduction in kidney cyst burden was observed in the treatment group compared to vehicle treated mice.
Levels of blood urea nitrogen, an indicator of kidney function, were also significantly improved in the drug-treated groups compared with the vehicle-treated group, suggesting that improved renal function accompanied reduced cyst growth in treated animals.
Plexxikon's novel small molecule kinase inhibitor is said to be a highly selective and potent inhibitor of Raf kinase, a critical mediator of PKD pathology.
Source: Datamonitor
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Kidney Blog PKD Blog
Cardiac Rhabdomyoma and Renal Cyst in a Fetus Early Onset of ...Journal of Ultrasound in Medicine (subscription) - 3 hours agoA postmortem examination showed polycystic kidney disease (PKD) and a cardiac rhabdomyoma, which is a prenatal marker of TSC. On the basis of the maternal ...
Yale's Rosenbaum Honored by University of SienaMedia Newswire (press release), NY - May 16, 2008Notable among disorders related to defective cilia are
Plexxikon Announces Preclinical Data Demonstrating Dramatic ...Business Wire (press release), CA - May 21, 2008These data were recently presented at the ISN Forefronts Symposium on Polycystic Kidney Disease in Montreal, Canada by Stefan Somlo, MD, CNH Long Professor ...
Yale's Rosenbaum Honored by University of SienaMedia Newswire (press release), NY - May 16, 2008Notable among disorders related to defective cilia are
Plexxikon Announces Preclinical Data Demonstrating Dramatic ...Business Wire (press release), CA - May 21, 2008These data were recently presented at the ISN Forefronts Symposium on Polycystic Kidney Disease in Montreal, Canada by Stefan Somlo, MD, CNH Long Professor ...
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