Solutions to the U.S. Medical Crisis

Cuts prescription costs by up to 80% at most US pharmacies. No insurance needed. Free to use.

Find drug manufacturer assistance programs, free clinics, and disease-specific funds that cover treatment costs.

Directory of pharmaceutical company patient assistance programs that provide free or low-cost brand-name drugs.

Look up fair prices for procedures, tests, and surgeries in your area before you schedule. Use it to negotiate.

Every nonprofit hospital must offer free or reduced-cost care to qualifying patients. Ask the billing department for their "financial assistance policy."

You have the legal right to an itemized bill. Billing errors are common — request one and dispute any charge you don't recognize.

Federal law bans most surprise bills from out-of-network emergency providers. If you receive one, file a complaint with CMS.

Provides financial assistance grants to underinsured patients who cannot afford their out-of-pocket treatment costs.

1,400+ federally funded clinics that serve all patients regardless of ability to pay, on a sliding-fee scale. Same-day appointments often available.

Teladoc, MDLive, and Amazon Clinic offer same-day or next-day appointments for most primary care needs at a fraction of the cost of an ER visit.

Urgent care centers handle most non-emergency needs (infections, injuries, labs) with same-day availability at 5–10× lower cost than the ER.

CVS MinuteClinic, Walgreens Health, and Walmart Health offer walk-in appointments for common conditions, vaccinations, and chronic disease management.

When booking a specialist, always ask to be added to the cancellation list. Patients frequently get appointments weeks or months earlier this way.

Hospitals that received Hill-Burton funds are obligated to provide free or reduced-cost care to people who cannot afford to pay.

Internal appeals overturn 40–60% of denials. External appeals (by an independent reviewer) overturn another 40%. Always appeal — insurers count on patients not doing so.

Ask your doctor to request a peer-to-peer call with the insurance company's medical reviewer. This single step overturns a large percentage of prior auth denials.

If your insurer is acting in bad faith — denying care, delaying approvals, or violating your policy — file a complaint. Regulators have real enforcement power.

Free case managers help patients navigate insurance denials, prior authorizations, and appeals — at no cost to the patient.

If your current plan has a narrow network or high prior auth burden, compare plans during open enrollment. Network breadth and PA policies vary significantly.

Connect your iPhone's Health app or Android's CommonHealth to your hospital's patient portal to aggregate all your records in one place.

You have the right to receive all your medical records within 30 days of request, at no cost. Build a personal health file and share it with new providers.

Keep a current list of all medications, doses, allergies, and conditions. Hand it to every provider at every visit — this prevents the majority of coordination errors.

Medicare and many insurers cover CCM programs — a dedicated care coordinator who manages your appointments, referrals, and follow-ups. Ask your PCP if you qualify.

Medicaid covers free transportation to medical appointments for eligible members. Call your Medicaid plan's member services line to arrange a ride.

Hospitals receiving federal funding are required by law to provide free interpreter services. Request a certified medical interpreter — not a family member — for accurate communication.

Trusted health information in Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese, Arabic, and 60+ other languages from the National Library of Medicine.

CHWs are trained community members who help patients navigate the health system, connect to social services, and overcome language and cultural barriers.

Official US government tool to find all federal assistance programs you may qualify for — healthcare, housing, food, and more.

Connects patients with therapists who offer sessions at $30–$80 per session for those who cannot afford standard rates.

Find mental health and substance use treatment facilities near you, including free and sliding-scale options.