Internet Info 1994 March

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Path: bloom-beacon.mit.edu!hookup!news.kei.com!MathWorks.Com!europa.eng.gtefsd.com!howland.reston.ans.net!wupost!udel!newsserv.cs.sunysb.edu!ysics.physics.sunysb.edu!mhollowa From: mhollowa@epo.som.sunysb.edu (Michael Holloway) Newsgroups: bit.listserv.transplant,sci.med,sci.answers,news.answers Subject: bit.listserv.transplant FAQ, Organ transplantation newsgroup (Part 2 of 2) Followup-To: bit.listserv.transplant Date: 31 Mar 1994 20:19:00 GMT Organization: Institute For Theoretical Physics Lines: 711 Approved: news-answers-request@MIT.Edu Distribution: world Expires: 04/30/94 Message-ID: <medicine/transplant-faq-2-765145097@sunysb.edu> References: <medicine/transplant-faq-1-765145097@sunysb.edu> Reply-To: mhollowa@epo.som.sunysb.edu (Michael Holloway) NNTP-Posting-Host: csws2.ic.sunysb.edu Summary: This is a description of the bit.listserv.transplant newsgroup and its parent mail list, TRNSPLNT. Frequently asked questions regarding organ transplantation are addressed. A list of resources for transplantation patients is provided. Originator: mhollowa@csws2.ic.sunysb.edu Xref: bloom-beacon.mit.edu bit.listserv.transplant:679 sci.med:37273 sci.answers:1029 news.answers:17059 Posted-By: auto-faq 2.4 Archive-name: medicine/transplant-faq/part2 3/31/94 Part 2 of bit.listserv.transplant FAQ The following is a list of financial and support resources that are copied primarily from a pamphlet provided by Standtlanders Pharmacy and The Transplant Foundation, with additional information from a list provided by American Preferred Plan and people on the TRNSPLNT mail list. Inclusion of pharmacy companies here is not an endorsement of their services. In fact, it is recommended that patients very carefully examine whether their services are worth the added cost to your medication expenses. The word on the TRNSPLNT list is that they are convenient, but expensive. If you know of any other agencies offering help for transplant patients please send me the information or post to bit.listserv.transplant. March, 1994 Mike Holloway mhollowa@epo.som.sunysb.edu ========================================================================== =============================================== National Transplant Patient Resources Directory =============================================== provided by Stadtlanders Pharmacy and The Transplant Foundation (with additional information from American Preferred Plan) The Transplant Foundation The Transplant Foundation is a national, non-profit volunteer organiza- tion providing resource information and direct grants to post-transplant recipients to offset the costs of immunosuppressive medications. The number of individuals who can receive assistance and the grant amounts are determined by total contributions received each year. The Foundation serves as a clearinghouse for information as well as an advo- cate for the rights of transplant recipients. For more information on The Transplant Foundation call 800-285-5115. Stadtlanders At Stadtlanders we witness the miracle of transplantation everyday through the 10,000+ transplant recipients we serve. As the first pharmacy dedicated to serving the needs of the transplant community, Stadtlanders provides individuals with medication delivery and insurance billing services nationwide. The Social Services Department offers financial and emotional counseling as well as resource information. To learn more about Stadtlanders services call 800-238-7828. American Preferred Plan APP is the leading free membership organization delivering prescription medications, directly to you home or office & providing linkages to community resources & national support networks. Call your APP membership specialist for a confidential planning consultation. 800-227-1195 Other companies offering pharmaceutical delivery services: ---------------------------------------------------------- Express Pharmacy Services. 800-826-8850 PO Box 94999 Birmingham, AL 35220-9989 CHRONIMED PHARMACY P.O. BOX 47945 MINNEAPOLIS, MN.55447 (THEY PUBLISH ENCORE MAGAZINE FOR ORGAN TRANSPLANT PATIENTS) 800-888-5753 HOMECARE MANAGEMENT, INC. 80 AIR PARK DRIVE RONKONKOMA, N.Y. 11779 800-637-5633 (NY) 800-927-4642 (TX) 800-927-4643 (CA) 800-927-4644 (PA) 800-829-4645 (FL) 800-637-5633 (DC) --------------------------------------------------------------------------- INDEX NATIONAL RESOURCES COVERAGE FOR HEALTH CARE/MEDICATIONS COBRA 1 High Risk Insurance Pools 1 Medicaid Coverages 2 SSI - Supplemental Security Income Medicaid QMB - Qualified Medicare Beneficiary Medicare 3 Medicare Supplemental Insurance (Medigap Policy) 3 State Kidney Programs 3 State Pharmaceutical Assistance Programs 4 Veterans Administration 4 Drug company payment assistance 4 NATIONAL RESOURCES EDUCATIONAL INFORMATION, FINANCIAL GRANTS, FUNDRAISING INFORMATION, MEDICATION GRANTS American Association of Kidney Patients 5 American Cancer Society 5 American Diabetes Association 5 American Heart Association 6 American Kidney Fund 6 American Liver Foundation 6 American Lung Association 6 American Organ Transplant Association 7 Children's Organ Transplant Association 7 Juvenile Diabetes Foundation International 7 The National Heart Assist and Transplant Fund 7 National Kidney Foundation 8 National Organization For Rare Disorders (NORD), Inc 8 Organ Transplant Fund, Inc 8 Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association 9 The Transplant Foundation 9 TRIO 9 RESOURCES BY CATEGORY INDEX 10 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- pg. 1 ======================================================= National Resources Coverage for Health Care/Medications ======================================================= The following resources may provide coverage for your health care and medications. Please contact these resources to determine if you meet the eligibility requirements for such coverage. COBRA Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act If you have separated from a full-time place of employment recently, you may be eligible for COBRA coverage. The exception to this is an employee who enrolls in Medicare. In this case, the employer is not required to offer COBRA coverage, but the employer can choose to offer COBRA coverage. Under COBRA, an employer with 20 or more employees must offer continuation of the group health plan for approximately 18 or 29 months to an employee whose employment is terminated, if certain eligibility standards are met. The employee would be responsible for payment of premiums at the same cost (plus 2%) that the employer was paying. A dependent of the employee may be eligible for 36 months of coverage. To determine whether you might be eligible for COBRA coverage, contact your employer's employee benefits office. In addition, you can contact: U.S. Department of Labor--202-219-8776 Contact regarding non-public employment. Public Health Service--301 443-1886 Contact for state and local government employees. Internal Revenue Service--202-6224695 It takes approximately 3-5 working days to have a response to your request. HIGH RISK INSURANCE POOLS A directory of high-risk insurance policies available state-by-state has been put together by an organization called Communicating for Agriculture. These policies are rather expensive, not available in all states, and need to be carefully considered to determine if they meet your needs. However, when available, they may be an excellent way to obtain necessary health coverage. For information as to whether your state has such a high risk pool, call 800-445-1525. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- pg. 2 MEDICAID COVERAGES Medicaid often provides coverage for outpatient medications. There are several ways to become eligible for Medicaid benefits. A. SSI - SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME Provides a minimum income level for aged (65 or over), blind, individuals with disabilities, and couples with limited income and limited resources. If you are eligible for SSI cash payments, you are likely to also be eligible for Medicaid coverage for medications. To determine if you are eligible for SSI, call the Social Security Office at 800-Z72-1213. B. MEDICAID There are two possible categories of need under the Medicaid program. 1. Categorically Needy - Individuals who fall at or below the income and resource level designated as the "poverty line" by their state must be covered by Medicaid for their health care, assuming all other eligibility criteria are met. 2. Medically Needy (Spend Down) - In some states, individuals who are above the income and resource level designated as the "poverty line" may be eligible for Medicaid through the medically needy program. In the states where such a program is offered, individuals are allowed to "spend down" their excess income (but not resources) to the "poverty line~ over a period of time. The "spend down" is like a 'deductible." It is the process of using medical expenses to reduce the income of an individual to the level of eligibility for Medicaid. C. QMB - QUALIFIED MEDICARE BENEFICIARY You are a Oualified Medicare Beneficiary if you are: ...age 65 or overior a person living with a disability, AND ...entitled to Medicare Part A ...have income that is not over the Federal Poverty level ...have resources that do not go over the limit set for SSI eligibility. If eligible, there is a possibility of Medicaid coverage for prescription medication and/or coverage of other Medicare premium costs. To apply, contact your local public assistance of tics. Note: For information regarding SSI, Medicaid, Spend Down, and QMB, call the Social Security Office at 800-772-1213. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- pg. 3 MEDICARE Medicare currently covers heart, liver and kidney transplants in an approved facility. Bone marrow transplants are covered only under specific diagnoses. Medicare Part B pays for immunosuppressive drugs for a period of one year from the date of discharge from the transplant admission. On August 6, 1993, Congress passed the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993 which will extend Medicare coverage for immunosuppressant medications for those who meet the eligibility guidelines. This extended coverage will be phased in by the following timetable: ... before 1995, coverage will continue to be for 12 months ... during 1995, coverage will be for 18 months ... during 1996, coverage will be for 24 months ... during 1997, coverage will be for 30 months ... during any year after 1997, coverage will be for 36 months MEDICARE SUPPLEMENTAL INSURANCE (Medigap Policy) Medicare does not always cover 100% of all medical needs. That is why there are medicate supplemental policies (Medigap), which are intended to cover some of the services that Medicare does not. In every state there are standardized Medigap policies which are created to fill these "gaps." Generally, an individual must purchase one of these Medigap policies within six months of their Medicare B effective date. There are three Medigap plans (H, I, and J) which offer LIMITED coverage for out-patient medications. You are strongly encouraged to call your State Insurance Department to determine if you are eligible to buy one of these policies. They can also advise which insurance companies are selling Medigap plans H, I or J. For the number of your State Insurance Department call the National Insurance Consumer Helpline at 800-942-4242. STATE KIDNEY PROGRAMS Only Kidney Transplant or Renal Patients There are approximately twenty-five states which have a state kidney program which may offer assistance with out-patient renal medications. To determine if your state has such a program, contact the National Organization for State Kidney Programs in Missouri at 800-733-7345. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- pg. 4 STATE PHARMACEUTICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS The following states have programs with specific financial eligibility guidelines that offer assistance with out-patient medications to senior citizens andror persons with disabilities: - Connecticut CONN PACE Program - CoMecticut Pharmaceutical Assistance Contract to the Elderly and the Disabled-- 800-423-5026 Delaware The Nemours Health Clinic Program New Castle County--302-429-8050 Kent and Sussex County--800-292-9538 - Illinois Pharmaceutical Assistance Programs 800-624-2459 or 217-524-0435 - Maine Elderly Low-Cost Drug Program--800-773-7894 - Maryland Pharmacy Assistance Program--800-492-1974 - New Jersey PAAD Program - Pharmaceutical Assistance to the Aged and Disabled--800-792-9745 - New York EPIC Program--800-332-3742 - Pennsylvania PACE Program - Pharmaceutical Assistance Contract for the Elderly--800-225-7223 VETERANS ADMINISTRATION If you have a military history with an honorable discharge, it may be possible to become eligible for VA benefits. However, it has become more and more difficult to become eligible without a service-connected disability. To determine your eligibility, contact your local Veterans Hospital or VA office. PAYMENT ASSISTANCE Ask your doctor to call for information and paperwork. DRUG Manufacturer Telephone # ---- ------------ ----------- BACTRIM Roche Labs 800-526-6367 CALAN Searle 800-542-2526 CARDlZEM Marion Merel Dow 800-552-3656 DILANTIN Parke-Davis 800-755-0120 EPOGEN Amgen Inc. 800-272-9376 IMURAN/ZOVIRAX Burroughs Wellcome 800-722-9294 NEUPOGEN Amgen Inc. 800-272-9376 SANDIMMUNE Sandoz 800-447-6673 VASOTEC,PRILOSCEC Merck, Sharp & Dome 800-637-2579 ZANTAC Glaxo 800-452-9677 MICRONASE Upjohn (616)323-6004 * Abbott Laboratories/Ross Laboratories, (202)637-6889, (800)922-3255 * Adria Laboratories Inc. (614)764-8100 * Allegan Prescription Pharmaceuticals (800)347-4500, extension 6219 * Boehringer Ingleheim (203)798-4131 * Bristol-Myers Squibb (800)736-0003 * Burroughs-Wellcome (919)248-4418 * Ciba-Geigy (908)277-5849 * Genentech Inc. (800)879-4747 * Hoechst-Roussel (800)776-4563 * ICI/Stuart (302)886-2231 * Immunex Corp. (206)587-0430 * Johnston & Johnston (Ortho Biotechnology) (908)704-5232 * Johnston & Johnston (Janssen Pharmaceuticals) (908)524-9409 * Eli Lily and Co. (317)276-2950 * Norwich-Eaton (607)335-2079 * Pfizer Pharmaceuticals (800)869-9979 * Sanoll Winthrop (212)907-2000 * Schering-Plough (800)822-7000 * Sigma-Tau (800)999-6673 * SmithKline Beecham (Program 1: all pharmaceuticals) (215)751-5760 * SmithKline Beecham (Program 2: Eminase and Triostat) (800)866-6273 * Syntex Laboratories (800)822-8255 * Wyeth-Ayerst Laboratories (215)971-5604 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- pg. 5 ==================================================================== National Resources Educational Information, Financial Grants, Fundraising Information, Medication Grants ==================================================================== Listed in alphabetical order are agencies that may offer assistance with educational information, financial grants, fund raising information, and medication grants. Please refer to the Resources by Category guide on page 10 of this directory to quickly determine which agencies offer the resource you need. In addition, the following letters are noted after each agency name to indicate resources offered: E - Educational Information F - Financial Grants FR - Fundraising Inforination M - Medication Grants AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF KIDNEY PATIENTS (E) 111 S. Park Street, Suite 405 Tampa, Florida 33606 800-749-2257 Purpose is to promote the welfare of kidney patients through education and advocacy. Self-help and patient education are key elements of local chapter activities. AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY (E, M) 1599 Clifton Road Atlanta, Georgia 30329 800-227-23g5 Non-profit health organization that supports education and research in cancer prevention, diagnosis, detection and treatment, with special services available to cancer patients. Some chapters offer limited medication grants. AMERICAN DIABETES ASSOCIATION (E) 1660 Duke Street Alexandria, Virginia 22314 800-232-3472 Non-profit health organization that provides the general public, diabetics, and health- care professionals with educational support including books, literature and seminars. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- pg. 6 AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION (E) 7272 Greenville Avenue Dallas, Texas 75231-4596 800-AHA-USA1/800-242-8721 Callers are routed to a local American Heart Association office and can obtain infor- mation about heart disease and the type of support services available in local area. Also, callers can receive a free brochure, "About Heart Transplants." AMERICAN KIDNEY FUND (ELF) 6110 Executive Boulevard, Suite 1010 Rockville, Maryland 20852 800-638-8299 Non-profit health organization that provides limited grants to needy dialysis patients, transplant recipients and donors to help cover the cost of health-related expenses, transportation, medications, etc. Provides information and support for kidney donation and transplantation as well as general education and information on kidney diseases. AMERICAN LIVER FOUNDATION (E, FR) 1425 Pompton Avenue Cedar Grove, New Jersey 07009 800-223-0179 Voluntary agency dedicated to fighting liver disease through research, education and patient self-help groups. Provides fund raising information and will act as trustee for monies raised. AMERICAN LUNG ASSOCIATION (E) 1740 Broadway New York, New York 10019 800-LUNG-USA/800-586-4872 Non-profit, voluntary health organization that offers information to people considering lung transplant, and to those individuals who are at any point in the lung transplant process. Callers can receive a fact sheet on lung transplantation and a list of trans- plant centers nationwide. This association can provide referrals to local support groups, as well as contacts with other people who have had a lung transplant or are waiting for a transplant. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- pg. 7 AMERICAN ORGAN TRANSPLANT ASSOCIATION (AOTA) (E, FR) P.O. Box 277 Missouri Citys Texas 77459 713-261-2682 Private, non-profit group that provides numerous services to recipients and their families. Including airfare and bus tickets, advice on fund raising and establishing trust funds. Will act as trust fund, no administrative fees collected. AOTA publishes a newsletter for members. Individuals needing airfare or bus tickets must be referred by their transplant center. CHILDREN'S ORGAN TRANSPLANT ASSOCIATION (COTA) (FR) 2501 COTA Drive Bloomington, Indiana 47403 800-366-2682 National, non-profit agency helps organize local community in fund raising for the individualifamily in order to assist with pediatric transplants and related expenses. COTA also assists adults. All funds raised go to the individual, no administrative fees collected. JUVENILE DIABETES FOUNDATION INTERNATIONAL (E) 432 Park Avenue South New York, New York 10016 800-JDF-CURE/800-223-1138 Non-profit health organization supporting diabetes research. Provides information and brochures on diabetes. Offers referrals through its chapters. THE NATIONAL HEART ASSIST AND TRANSPLANT FUND (E,F,FR) 519 West Lancaster Avenue, PRO. Box 163 Haverford, Pennsylvania 19041 800-NHATF99/800-642-8399 Private, non-profit group dedicated to providing financial, social and emotional support to patients needing heart, heartalung, or lung transplants and their families. NHATF provides modest grants for transplant related costs. Provides information on centers, support groups, and materials. (Continued) --------------------------------------------------------------------------- pg. 8 (continued....) Individuals may establish regional restricted funds through NHATF. Assists heart, heartalung, and lung transplant patients with fund raising by providing expertise and by acting as a trust fund for monies raised. NATIONAL KIDNEY FOUNDATION (E) 30 E. 33rd Street, 11th Floor New York, New York 10016 800-622-9010 Voluntary health agency seeking the total answer to diseases of the kidney and urinary tract...including prevention, treatment, and cure. The Foundation's program brings help to people suffering from kidney disease through research, patient and community services, professional education and public information. NATIONAL ORGANIZATION FOR RARE DISORDERS (NORD),INC. (E,M) P. O. Box 8923 New Fairfield, Connecticut 06812-2783 800-447-6673/203-746-8958 This organization manages a drug cost share program for individuals who cannot afford Sandimmune (cyclosporine). To inquire about the application process, call 800 447-6673 or 203-746-8958. Allow 8-10 weeks for eligibility to be determined. Serves as a clearinghouse for information for over 5,000 rare disorders. This informa- tion is clearly written for the lay person. NORD can also connect patients with the same or similar illnesses with each other. ORGAN TRANSPLANT FUND, INC. (FR, M) National Office 1027 South Yates Road Memphis, Tennessee 38119 800489-3863 Offices located in selected states. Assists candidates/recipients nationwide in obtaining transplants and after care, as well as providing essential support and referral services. Provides clients with fund raising expertise and materials and assures that funds raised are properly dispersed. Limited emergency grants available for medications of not longer than 3 months duration. Administrative fee collected. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- pg. 9 PHARMACEUTICAL MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION (M) 1100 Fifteenth Street NW Washington, DC 20005 This association publishes the "Directory of Prescription Drug Indigent Programs" from information provided by member companies. The directory currently lists 59 programs alphabetically by company. Each entry details how to apply, drugs that are covered, and basic eligibility requirements. A free copy may be obtained by writing to PMA, at the above address. The request must be received on physician, health-care professional or agency letterhead. THE TRANSPLANT FOUNDATION (E, M) 8002 Discovery Drive, Suite 310 Richmond, Virginia 23229 804-285-5115 National, non-profit volunteer organization providing grants to post transplant recipients to offset the costs of immunosuppressive medications. The number of individuals who can receive assistance and the grant amounts are determined by total contributions received each year. The Foundation serves as a national clearinghouse for information, as well as an advocate for the rights of transplant recipients. TRIO Transplant Recipients International Organization 244 North Bellefield Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15213 412-487-2210 TRIO is an independent non-profit international organization committed to improving the quality of life of transplant candidates, recipients, and their families. TRIO, through a network of local chapters, serves its members in the areas of support, advocacy, awareness and education. TRIO awards $1,000 scholarships annually to transplant recipients wishing to pursue post-secondary education. Clearinghouse for educational materials. Referrals made to local chapters. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- pg. 10 ===================== RESOURCES BY CATEGORY ===================== EDUCATIONAL INFORMATION AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF KIDNEY PATIENTS 5 AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY 5 AMERICAN DIABETES ASSOCIATION 5 AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION 6 AMERICAN KIDNEY FUND. 6 AMERICAN LIVER FOUNDATION 6 AMERICAN LUNG ASSOCIATION 6 AMERICAN ORGAN TRANSPLANT ASSOCIATION (AOTA). 7 JWENILE DIABETES FOUNDATION INTERNATIONAL. 7 THE NATIONAL HEART ASSIST AND TRANSPLANT FUND 7 NATIONAL KIDNEY FOUNDATION 8 NATIONAL ORGANIZATION FOR RARE DISORDERS (NORD), INC 8 THE TRANSPLANT FOUNDATION 9 TRIO 9 FINANCIAL GRANTS AMERICAN KIDNEY FUND 6 THE NATIONAL HEART ASSIST AND TRANSPLANT FUND 7 FUNDRAISING AMERICAN LIVER FOUNDATION 6 AMERICAN ORGAN TRANSPLANT ASSOCIATION (AOTA) 7 CHILDREN'S ORGAN TRANSPLANT ASSOCIATION (COTA) 7 THE NATIONAL HEART ASSIST AND TRANSPLANT FUND 7 ORGAN TRANSPLANT FUND, INC. 8 MEDICATION GRANTS AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY 5 NATIONAL ORGANIZATION FOR RARE DISORDERS (NORD), INC 8 ORGAN TRANSPLANT FUND, INC. 8 PHARMACEUTICAL MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION 9 THE TRANSPLANT FOUNDATION 9 If you are aware of any other national resources that you would like to have reviewed for inclusion in the next printing of this directory, please call Stadtlanders Social Services Department at 800-238-7828 and/or The Transplant Foundation at 804-285-5115. Thank you for any resource information you are able to contribute. We hope that this information is helpful to you but, by no means is this an all inclusive list of resources. You are always encouraged to seek the support and direction of the social worker at your medical facility.