From One to One Million and Beyond: Our Commitment to Patients Never Wavers

When HealthWell awarded our first grant in 2004, we knew we would be making a big difference in that patient’s life. We may not have realized, though, exactly how many lives we would touch over the next 20 years.  

Much has changed in our country and our world during that time, but the need for financial assistance to help patients pay for life-changing and lifesaving medical treatments has not. That’s why we wake up every morning committed to helping: through financial assistance funds that give patients one less thing to worry about as they focus on their treatment; by providing educational resources and connections to other organizations dedicated to their needs; with welcoming ears and warm hearts ready to assist those who need us the most. 

Serving our one millionth patient was a major milestone for HealthWell this year. While we are humbled that we have been a financial lifeline to so many underinsured Americans in need, we also know that there are millions more who need our life-changing, often lifesaving, services. We want to thank our individual and corporate donors for their continued generosity and for placing their trust in HealthWell to carry out our mission. Without your support, we would not be able to say, “Yes we can help you” to the more than 35,000 patients who reach out to us every month.  

Read on to learn more about our new CEO, the latest HealthWell Foundation milestone, and how we continue to serve patients in need. 

HealthWell Welcomes Veterans Health Leader as New President & Chief Executive Officer and Elects Former Acting US Surgeon General to Our Board 

We were honored to announce the election of our new President & Chief Executive Officer, Michael S. Heimall, FACHE, an accomplished executive with experience at some of the nation’s most respected veterans medical centers. Michael assumed the role on November 4, 2024. 

Heimall comes to HealthWell after serving as executive director of the Washington, D.C., Veterans Affairs Medical Center, one of the nation’s largest veterans hospitals, with 3,200 employees and $900 million in revenue. He oversaw the operations of six community-based clinics, an academic medical center with 170 inpatient beds, and a 120-bed long-term care center. 

Prior to his position at the VA Medical Center, Heimall served as CEO of Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland. 

Heimall, a 30-year Army veteran, retired at the rank of Colonel. Heimall said he is eager to advance the mission of the HealthWell Foundation as he begins the next chapter of his career. He brings both a professional and personal connection to the HealthWell Foundation’s mission. As a hospital CEO, he regularly saw veterans with serious illnesses struggle with high copays, deductibles, and other health-related expenses. In Heimall’s own family he saw the challenges of medical costs when his oldest adult son successfully battled cancer; the son at one point received some financial support from a charity related to his undergraduate alma mater.  

In addition to welcoming Michael to the HealthWell team, we were honored to announce the election of Dr. Kenneth Moritsugu to our Board of Directors. Dr. Moritsugu previously served as United States Acting Surgeon General and worked to raise awareness about mental health, childhood obesity, and the health needs of minority populations, among other priorities. He comes to the HealthWell Board with 37 years of experience as a career officer in the United States Public Health Service.  

We hope you will join us in welcoming Michael and Dr. Moritsugu to the HealthWell team. You can learn more about their leadership roles by visiting the Who We Are section of our website. 

HealthWell Reaches One Million Underinsured Americans Assisted Milestone  

In July, the HealthWell Foundation achieved a significant milestone by providing financial assistance to one million patients to help them afford critical, often lifesaving, medical treatments. Since awarding our first grant in 2004, HealthWell has provided medication copayment and insurance premium assistance across more than 90 disease areas, including over 30 oncology funds and special initiative funds for pediatrics and cancer-related behavioral health.

“While we are humbled that we have been able to provide one million underinsured Americans with critical support, we anxiously await the day when our nation’s health care system is transformed and our services are no longer needed,” said David L. Knowlton, HealthWell Foundation Board Chair. “But as long as there are patients who need our services, we will continue to carry out our mission to provide a financial lifeline for underinsured Americans so they can access medical treatments they otherwise could not afford.” 

A thankful grant recipient shared her story. “I am so very grateful to have been awarded a grant by the HealthWell Foundation for my cardiomyopathy medication. The grant for a period of one year for $10,000 is a major blessing to my family and will ultimately save my life,” said Susanne S. of Jacksonville, Florida. 

 “When my husband and I learned how much the medications would cost, he said, ‘We’re going to have to sell the house.’ When the medication arrived, my husband brought in the mail and had tears in his eyes. He said to me, ‘Is this what I think it is?’ I opened the package and there were tears of joy in both our eyes. There was my prescription for 30 days for both my medications with a no copay label attached! Your generosity is extremely overwhelming. Thank you doesn’t seem to be enough but, Thank You!” 

Read the full story! 

To share your HealthWell Foundation story, please visit From Those We Serve.  

Fund News 

We are committed to identifying and implementing ways to make our programs and working with us as user-friendly and convenient as possible. From the launch of new funds to enhancements to our online tools and services, to partnering with organizations who share our passion for assisting those in need, we pride ourselves in making sure that those we serve have the best HealthWell experience possible. 

Since our last edition, we were honored to open an Oncology Caregiver Behavioral Health Fund as part of our commitment to the White House Cancer Moonshot.  Through the fund, HealthWell will provide up to $2,000 in copayment assistance for prescription drugs, counseling services, psychotherapy, and transportation costs needed to treat or manage behavioral health issues related to providing caregiving to a cancer patient. Eligible grant recipients will have annual household incomes up to 500 percent of the federal poverty level and must be a family member providing care to a cancer patient with an active HealthWell grant.  

Most recently, we launched a new fund to assist government-insured individuals living with schizophrenia. Our Schizophrenia – Medicare Access Fund provides up to $4,000 in medication copayment or insurance premium assistance to eligible people with household incomes up to 500 percent of the federal poverty level.  

In September, we were excited to launch a campaign to honor First Responders and Medical Workers by spreading the word about our Emergency/Medical Workers Behavioral Health Fund.  

To commemorate the 23rd anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, HealthWell expressed public gratitude to all first responders and medical workers, honoring the heroic efforts fire fighters, police officers, first responders and health care workers provide every day to ensure our safety and well-being. We recognize the importance mental health has on their ability to cope with the often-extreme challenges of performing their jobs. 

 

HealthWell marked the anniversary of 9/11 by reaffirming our commitment to breaking down financial barriers that prevent some first responders from seeking the behavioral health care they need. Our Emergency/Medical Workers Behavioral Health Fund, which has provided more than $200,000 in financial assistance to over 200 first responders since 2021, helps police officers, fire fighters, EMS and medical workers by covering up to $2,000 in treatment-related out-of-pocket expenses for prescription drugs, counseling services, psychotherapy, and transportation needed to manage behavioral health issues. For emergency and medical personnel, witnessing uncontrollable and often devastating events can be a daily occurrence. These events can have long-term effects on their mental health, and the COVID-19 pandemic only exacerbated these stressors. Studies have found that an overwhelming percentage of health care workers today report frustration, exhaustion, and burnout. Recognizing the daily trauma our emergency and medical personnel endure and supporting their access to mental health services is a tremendous step forward in securing their well-being. 

“We chose the anniversary of 9/11, to let the heroes seeking behavioral health care know that we support them, and we are here to help,” David L. Knowlton, HealthWell Board Chair said. “We don’t want the people who do so much for us to forgo the care they need because of high out-of-pocket costs. With the utmost gratitude, the HealthWell Foundation board of directors and staff thank you for your service.”

Visit the Emergency/Medical Workers Behavioral Health Fund page to learn more. To learn more about our programs and our robust portfolio of disease funds, visit HealthWellFoundation.org. 

In our ongoing efforts to effectively allocate our resources and provide the most meaningful support, HealthWell implemented a new premium assistance policy on November 1, 2024. Under the new policy, we will be focusing our premium assistance exclusively on Medicare Part B premiums. If you have a grant that began prior to November 1, 2024, you will continue to receive assistance according to the terms of your existing grant until the end of your enrollment period. If your grant begins on or after November 1, 2024, your new grant will be subject to the updated policy, which provides support only for Medicare Part B premiums. 

We understand that these changes may raise questions, and our team is here to help. Please feel free to reach out to us at (800) 675-8416, Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM EST, or email us at [email protected] if you need further clarification or support. 

To learn more about HealthWell programs and our robust portfolio of disease funds, visit HealthWellFoundation.org. 

HealthWell Launches New Patient Mobile App 

Did you know existing patients can now conveniently manage their grants via their mobile device! Download the app today for free and manage your grants from your phone or tablet. The HealthWell Foundation app is available on the App Store and Google Play. 

 

Spreading Our Message Far and Wide

In September, we were honored to serve as presenting sponsor for the 2024 Healthcare Advocate Summit, the premier event for anyone involved in patient access, navigation, reimbursement, and advocacy. As a presenting sponsor of the three-day event, HealthWell participated in several panel sessions featuring advocates and community professionals whose goals are to put patient needs above all else. Our presentation line-up included: 

Alan Klein, HealthWell Chief Development Officer, moderated a Cancer Moonshot session with Kim Czubaruk, Associate Vice President of Policy, CancerCare, and Carla Tardif, Chief Executive Officer, Family Reach.

Alan also participated in the Inflation Reduction Act: What Does it Really Mean for You and Your Patients session, where he was joined by moderator Fran Castellow, President, Operations, Patient Advocate Foundation; and panelists Charles Collins, President, Healthcare Stakeholder Solutions, LLC; Fred Larbi, Chief Operations Officer, HealthWell; and Melissa Paige, Co-CEO, Healthcare Advocate Summit. 

Alan and Fred were again on the dais for a session on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, where they were joined by Fran Castellow, President, Operations, Patient Advocate Foundation; Elizabeth Johnson, Co-CEO, Healthcare Advocate Summit; and Christina M. Madison, PharmD, FCCP, AAHIVP, Founder and CEO, The Public Health Pharmacist. 

Visit the Conference section of our website to learn about other industry and disease-specific venues where you can connect with the HealthWell team. 

HealthWell Joins National Health Council

This quarter, HealthWell became a member of the National Health Council (NHC), a national non-profit organization dedicated to promoting affordable, high-value, sustainable, equitable health care. 

As a member of the NHC, HealthWell joins more than 170 health-related organizations focusing on sharing best practices regarding the country’s health care system.  

“We are excited to welcome the HealthWell Foundation as a member of the NHC. HealthWell’s mission to reduce financial barriers to care for underinsured patients with chronic or life-altering diseases is admirable and ideally suited to inform the patient community and stakeholders on priorities for health equity, access, affordability, and sustainable care,” said National Health Council Chief Executive Officer, Randall L. Rutta. “We look forward to collaborating with HealthWell on an array of strategic initiatives to expand health care for all Americans.” Learn more. 

HealthWell Spreads the Word Over the Airwaves – iHeart Radio Podcast Explores How HealthWell Assists the Underinsured 

In an August iHeart Radio podcast, Washington, D.C.-based iHeart Radio personality, Chilli Amar, spoke with HealthWell Foundation’s Chief Development Officer, Alan Klein, about how HealthWell is bringing help, healing and hope to people struggling to afford their out-of-pocket costs for critical medical treatments. Listen now. 

 

Consider a Gift to HealthWell this GivingTuesday 

GivingTuesday is just around the corner! This year, the annual day of giving will take place on Tuesday, December 3. 

With the big day quickly approaching, we wanted to remind you to save the date. If you aren’t familiar, GivingTuesday is a global day of giving inspiring people everywhere to unleash the power of radical generosity. GivingTuesday is an excellent opportunity for us to come together and make a positive impact for patients in need. Last year, because of your incredible generosity, we raised over $16,000 to support HealthWell’s special initiatives. 

Don’t forget to mark Tuesday, December 3, on your calendar, and stay tuned for updates! 

Year-End Giving: Your Support Changes Lives 

As the end of 2024 approaches, you may be considering where to make your tax-deductible charitable donations. We know you have many options, and we will be truly humbled and appreciative if one of those choices is HealthWell. 

When you give to HealthWell, 100 percent of your tax-deductible donation is put to work immediately to assist patients who may otherwise forgo critical, potentially lifesaving, medical treatments simply because they can’t afford them. Because of your generosity, since awarding our first grant in 2004, we have been able to assist more than 1 million patients with chronic or life-altering diseases. Your donation of any amount will bring us closer to helping 1 million more! 

Here are a few ways you can support our mission: 

1. Make a tax-deductible contribution. 
2. Donate in the name of a friend or loved one. 
3. Include the HealthWell Foundation in your estate plans. 

All donations made before midnight on December 31st count for the 2024 tax year! 

Help Us Help Those Who Have Nowhere Else to Turn 

We understand that not everyone can make a financial contribution to support our mission. Helping us spread the word is also a critical, and highly valued, contribution to the HealthWell Foundation. You can help by sharing the life-changing work we do. Connect with us through our social communities! Here’s how you can help us make a difference in the life of a patient in need today! 

1. Create a Facebook fundraiser to commemorate a birthday, anniversary or other special occasion. 
2. Spread the word about the important work we do by sharing your HealthWell story. 

Thank you for helping us help others in any way you can. On behalf of the entire HealthWell Family, we wish you a safe, happy and healthy holiday season.