How to Help
CNI Patient Assistance Fund
Providing Short-Term Financial Help for Patients in Need
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CNI Patient Assistance Fund
- Provides short-term, partial financial assistance for CNI patients
- Patient's health provider applies for assistance through the fund
- Donations to the fund can be made via our secure online donation page at Giving First or at 855.463.6264.
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Amid a struggling economy and high unemployment, the number of people in Colorado who lack health coverage is a serious problem—a problem we see every day at Colorado Neurological Institute, where 20% of our patients are uninsured or underinsured. According to the most recent U.S. Census Bureau figures, 1 in 6 (17.1%) individuals in Colorado aged 18-64 had no health insurance coverage in 2009 (people 65 and older are covered by Medicare or, if necessary, Medicaid). These Census Bureau figures also found that Aurora and Denver had the highest uninsured rates in the state—23.3 percent and 22.6 percent, respectively.
Today, medical expenses are the leading cause of bankruptcy, according to many reports including a study by Harvard University. The Harvard study found that two-thirds of bankruptcy filings were the result of medical expenses. The study also found that 78% of bankruptcy filers had health insurance—countering the myth that coverage "protects" you from financial ruin as a result of a medical crisis. Indeed, many insured patients we see at CNI have inadequate benefits, with limited coverage for physical, occupational, and speech therapy services, which can be extremely beneficial in achieving greater independence and control of health.
In many cases, a neurological condition can have a devastating impact on one's ability to work, earn a living, and perform even basic functions. Many neurological conditions leave individuals with physical disabilities, which can affect mobility, sensory input, and stability. Some conditions result in language impairments, affecting the ability to speak, write, and understand. The form of disability that occurs depends on the part of the brain affected by the condition. Neurological patients who lack health insurance face enormous obstacles. These obstacles involve not only treatment costs and the often-intimidating process of accessing public programs for help, but also real-world challenges such as costs related to transportation, medical equipment, rent, utilities, nutritional supplements, assistive devices, and more. With few—if any—resources to cover these vital expenses, many patients face enormous stress and the threat of falling between the cracks. This is where the CNI Patient Assistance Fund can help.
Meeting the Need: The CNI Patient Assistance Fund
The CNI Patient Assistance Fund is available to all qualifying patients at CNI. The purpose of the fund is to offer short-term financial assistance to cover necessary services, assistive devices, bracing, basic home expenses, pharmaceuticals, additional care from physicians, counselors, and/or therapists that are not be covered by any other source, and other needs. Through our proposed strategic partnership with COMPANY, CNI seeks to further develop and bolster the Patient Assistance Fund so that a growing number of individuals in our community and region who are affected by a neurological condition can get the immediate, short-term help they need, be it assistance with their heating bill, getting a ride to their appointment, or paying for a prosthetic device.
Specific examples of where the Patient Assistance Fund makes a major difference for qualifying patients with neurological conditions include financial assistance for:
- Temporary home care
- Counseling
- Chronic disease self-management education
- Assistive devices (e.g., prosthetics, eyewear, etc.)
- Utility bills
- Transportation
- Pharmaceuticals/presciptions
- Co-pays for additional care
These are just a few examples of ways the CNI Patient Assistance Fund can help qualifying individuals and families facing real-life stressors that may get in the way of their care.
Donations
If you would like to make a donation to the CNI Patient Assistance Fund, please click here to access our secure online donation page at Giving First, or call us at 855.463.6264.
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