Financial Assistance

What is the FAP Program?

The FAP provides $1,000 grants to people on dialysis who are having difficulty managing co-pays, co-insurance and deductibles for medical treatment and prescription drugs that are covered under their private health insurance plan.  The FAP is available to dialysis patients residing in the states of California, Colorado, Maryland, Texas, Virginia and the District of Columbia.  Each $1000 award will cover a six-month grant period.

The 2010 grant application cycle begins July 30 and ends November 5.  Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis between these dates.

Read the Application Instructions [500K PDF] and print the Application Form [600K PDF].

Corresponding application deadlines are as follows:

All applications received after 5 p.m. (PST) on the above stated deadlines dates through October 1, 2010 will be automatically be considered during the subsequent review cycle.  Applications received after November 5^th will not be considered.

The following is a summary of the program, including eligibility and application instructions.

What is the purpose of the program?

• To help dialysis patients manage financially while maintaining their private insurance coverage.
• To enable patients to continue working, which contributes positively to their quality of life and emotional well-being.
• To address the problem of patients discontinuing vital drugs and/or treatments because they cannot afford high co-pays and deductibles.
• To avoid premature draw on Medicare.

Who Is Eligible?

Applicants must:

• Be on dialysis.
• Have primary health insurance coverage through an employer group health plan (EGHP), individual plan, or COBRA. Insurance may be through applicant, spouse, parent, domestic partner or guardian.
• Have a household income that is no higher than 500% of the Federal Poverty Level capped at a maximum of $128,950 for a household size of five.
• Accurately complete the FAP application form, including all supporting documentation.
• Have a valid SSN to participate in the program.

What Are Eligible Expenses?

If the applicant is awarded a grant, funds can be used to pay for out-of-pocket costs for co-pays, deductibles, and co-insurance for medical treatment, services, and prescription drugs that are covered under the applicant’s health insurance. Treatment and prescription drugs must be for the applicant only, not for family members or others. Eligible expenses are not limited to applicant’s dialysis or kidney disease but must be covered under the applicant’s insurance and ordered by his/her doctor. Payment for expenses will not exceed the amount of the grant.

How Are Eligible Expenses Paid?

Those applicants who are awarded a grant will receive a “FlexCard” (a MasterCard debit card) to pay for eligible expenses. In addition, eligible expenses can be reimbursed by submitting appropriate receipts. Detailed instructions for use of the FlexCard and for the expense reimbursement process will be provided to applicants who receive a grant.

What is the Application Process?

In order to be considered for the FAP, applicants should work with their dialysis provider representative to complete and submit the Application for Assistance.  The Application Instructions describe the required steps and responsibilities.  Application must be signed by the applicant and a representative from his/her dialysis provider.  Incomplete or illegible applications will be returned and considered upon accurate re-submission prior to the deadline.

Read the Application Instructions [500K PDF] and print the Application Form [600K PDF].

What is The Kidney TRUST?

The Kidney TRUST is a national non-profit organization that was founded to address the compelling and urgent need to raise awareness and additional resources to address the chronic kidney disease (CKD) epidemic.  The TRUST’s mission is to reduce the human and economic costs of CKD.  The TRUST works to benefit the 31 million American adults living with CKD as well as the 506,000 Americans with kidney failure who require dialysis or a transplant.