The following resource guide provides a listing of some California organizations, as well as local and state programs, that provide help to dialysis and transplant patients. Please contact them directly for specific information about eligibility and availability. Please note that AKF is only affiliated with its own charitable assistance programs.
NEW: The California Department of Managed Health Care is providing important information about 2020 health coverage options for AKF HIPP grant recipients in California, including phone numbers you can call for assistance.
Financial assistance
The following organizations provide direct financial assistance or have resources about financial assistance for dialysis and transplant patients.
American Kidney Fund
Safety Net Program ($100 per year)
Provides grants to qualified dialysis or transplant patients for many health care expenses that are not covered by insurance. Some costs include transportation to and from dialysis, medications, co-payments, kidney donor, and transplant expenses
Phone: 1-800-795-3226
www.kidneyfund.org/financial-assistance/
Kidney and Urology Foundation
Patient emergency grants: one $100 grant per patient per year for emergency situations only
Phone: 1800-633-6628
www.kidneyurology.org
Ray Tye Medical Aid Foundation
Inpatient hospital financial assistance
Phone: 781-356-4300
Realm of Caring Foundation, Inc.
Provides financial assistance for alternative therapies not covered by insurance to Colorado or California residents
Phone: 719-347-5400
www.theroc.us
Local resource referral guide
Phone: Dial 211
Support groups and treatment center resources
The follow organizations provide resources and referrals for ESRD-related matters, including support groups.
ESRD Network#17 Southern California Renal Disease Council
- Assists with resolution of treatment center grievances
- Assists in identifying treatment options for patients
- Provides case consultation
- Assists with navigating the involuntary discharge/transfer process
Phone: 1-800-232-3773
www.hsag.com/esrdnetwork17
ESRD Network#18 Southern California Renal Disease Council
• Assists with resolution of treatment center grievances
• Assists in identifying treatment options for patients
• Provides case consultation
• Assist with navigating the involuntary discharge/transfer process
Phone: 1-888-268-1539
www.esrdnetwork18.org
Support group - American Association of Kidney Patient (AAKP)
Provides information regarding renal support groups by city with details/contact information
aakp.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Support-Groups-California.pdf
Support group - UCSD Kidney Transplant Support Group
Provides support for the pre- and post-renal transplant patient at meetings held on the third Tuesday of every month
Phone: 1-858-657-7729
www.health.ucsd.edu
Federal, state and local healthcare resources
Federal, state and community health centers that provide health services and access to health insurance
Community Health Centers (CHC)
Provides primary care services and comprehensive programs to promote health.
Phone: 1-805.346.3900
www.communityhealthcenters.org/en/services.html
Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA) - Find a health center
Health center search engine
Public health insurance program which provides needed health care services for low income individuals with disabilities, foster care, pregnant women and specific diseases
www.dhcs.ca.gov/services/medi-cal/pages/default.aspx
Kidney patients may become entitled to Medicare based on ESRD. Benefits on the basis of ESRD are for all covered services, not only those related to kidney failure.
1-800-MEDICARE
Medicare.gov
Community fundraising resources
The following for-profit crowdfunding platforms allow people to raise money for events ranging from life events such as celebrations and graduations to challenging circumstances like accidents and illnesses.
GoFundMe
Guide for creating GoFundMe fundraiser:
https://support.gofundme.com/hc/en-us/articles/360001992627-Creating-a-GoFundMe-From-Start-to-Finish
WeFundThem
Medication and nutritional supplement assistance
The following resources provide reduced or no-cost financial assistance for medications and/or nutritional supplements.
Abbot Laboratories/AbbVie products
Provides assistance with the following products:
- Ensure
- Glucerna
- Nepro
- Gengraf® (cyclosporin)
- Zemplar®
Phone: 1- 800-222-6885
www.abbvie.com/patients/patient-assistance.html
www.zemplar.com/zemplar-cost-savings.aspx
Provides assistance with the following products:
- Aranesp®
- Epogen®
- Sensipar®
Phone: 1- 800-272-9376
Direct assistance for: co-pays, premiums, deductibles, money to patient c/o insurer, pharmacy or provider
Phone: 800-675-8416
www.needymeds.org
Resource referral regarding: patient assistance programs, free/low-cost clinics, disease-based assistance, state programs, drug discount cards
Phone: 800-503-6897
www.needymeds.com
Educational resources
The following organizations provide comprehensive educational resources about kidney disease, transplantation and organ donation.
American Kidney Fund
Provides resources for dialysis and transplant patients regarding kidney disease, dietary needs, financial assistance, clinical trials, educational webinars, dialysis and transplantation, and kidney donation.
Phone: 1-800-795-3226
www.kidneyfund.org
NKF of Southern California
Provides resources for dialysis and transplant patients.
Phone:1- 818-783-8153
www.kidneysocal.org
