If you’re dealing with a medical bill you can’t pay, an insurance problem, or a new diagnosis, these organizations can help directly. Each one is free to contact, and most can talk with you the same day.
Looking for the Patients Rising Patient Helpline? It is no longer running. The organizations below offer the kinds of help it used to, and many offer more. They are independent of Patients Rising, so please contact them directly.
If you need help right now
For a medical emergency, call 911.
If you or someone you love is in crisis or thinking about suicide, call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, any time, day or night.
Jump to what you need:
Bills and debtAffording treatmentInsurance and MedicareCondition supportCaregivers
Help lowering or erasing bills, and help when debt from an illness starts to pile up.
Dollar For
Helps you find out whether you qualify for a hospital’s charity care program, which can reduce or erase a hospital bill, and helps you apply.
Patient Advocate Foundation: Case Management
Professional case managers who help with insurance denials, medical debt, and keeping your job while you’re sick.
For people who have insurance but can’t keep up with copays, premiums, or other out-of-pocket costs.
TotalAssist from Patient Advocate Foundation
Financial assistance funds for dozens of conditions, now including the programs formerly run by the PAN Foundation.
HealthWell Foundation
Grants toward copays, insurance premiums, deductibles, and travel for treatment, by condition.
NeedyMeds
A free directory of assistance programs, low-cost clinics, and savings programs, with a helpline to walk you through it.
Free, unbiased help understanding your coverage, choosing a plan, or appealing a decision.
State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP)
Free one-on-one Medicare counseling in every state. The national line connects you to your state’s program.
Medicare (1-800-MEDICARE)
Questions about your Medicare coverage, claims, and enrollment, answered by Medicare directly.
Medicare Rights Center
A national helpline for Medicare problems, including denials and appeals.
HealthCare.gov
Help with Marketplace coverage, enrollment, and financial help with premiums.
211
Connects you to local help with rent, food, utilities, and transportation to appointments.
Helplines staffed by people who know your diagnosis.
American Cancer Society
Cancer information, help finding support groups, and help with rides and lodging during treatment. Available 24/7.
CancerCare
Free counseling from oncology social workers, support groups, and some financial help for people affected by cancer.
Cancer Support Community
The Cancer Support Helpline, staffed by licensed mental health professionals, for patients and the people who love them.
Alzheimer’s Association
A 24/7 helpline for people living with Alzheimer’s or other dementia and their caregivers, in more than 200 languages.
National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD)
Help finding specialists, clinical trials, and assistance programs for rare diseases.
National Psoriasis Foundation: Patient Navigation Center
One-on-one help for people living with psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis. When you call, choose option 1.
Caring for someone is its own kind of hard. These lines are for you.
Caregiver Action Network: Caregiver Help Desk
Caregiving experts available by phone, email, or chat, weekdays 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Eastern.
Family Caregiver Alliance
Information, fact sheets, and support programs for family caregivers.
When you’re ready to change the system
Many of the problems on this page, from surprise bills to denied coverage, are shaped by policy. Patients Rising prepares patients and caregivers to make their case to the lawmakers who can fix them.
Phone numbers and links checked October 2026. If a number has changed, please let us know at hello@patientsrising.org.