Americans on Medicare Still Rely on Charitable Assistance, Study Reveals

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A new survey reveals the importance charitable assistance for healthcare costs, even for those on Medicare.¹

The Healthwell Foundation announced the results of independently conducted research that surveyed 1550 people across the United States about their access to healthcare. Specifically, the survey asked if they would be able to afford healthcare without access to charitable services. According to Healthwell, the vast majority of the participants in the study were covered by Medicare.

Thirty-one percent of respondents said they would have to forgo care without access to these charitable services.

Jeffrey Peppercorn, MD, MPH, is the principal author on the study. He is an oncologist at Massachusetts General Hospital and an associate professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School. In a press release, he said, “Many older Americans assume that Medicare will shield them from exorbitant costs if they become seriously ill. Yet many of the people we surveyed were not aware of the potentially catastrophic cost of care—or that cost could be a barrier to receiving medication prescribed by their doctor for a serious illness like cancer or autoimmune disease."

Suzanne Miller, Ph.D., an author of the study and professor of cancer prevention and control and director of the patient empowerment and decision-making department at Fox Chase Cancer Center/Temple University Health System, added, “The experience of patients needs to be part of the public discussion about charitable copay assistance. This research adds considerably to the still sparse literature describing recipients of charitable copay assistance grants and shows the important role this assistance plays for patients in the American health care system."

HealthWell Foundation president and chief executive officer Michael Heimall, FACHE, also said, "This research shows in a powerful way what we at HealthWell regularly hear from our grant recipients: that without our support they would not be able to pay for the life-sustaining, and often lifesaving, medications they need. We are a critical safety net for underinsured Americans facing financially and emotionally challenging times."

In December of last year, HealthWell announced a new fund to support patients with home care services and medical equipment costs.² The funds are available to patients who make no more than 500 percent the federal poverty level and have active or former Healthwell oncology grants.

In a press release issued at the time, HealthWell Foundation board member Don Liss, MD, said, “Cancer can cause families to struggle with much more than hospital and outpatient care. Providing grant funding for care in the home removes a barrier and allows families to keep their loved one safe and comfortable. Caregivers of people with cancer often bear the financial burden of purchasing equipment or paying for in-home services. These expenses can be overwhelming and another source of stress and anxiety. Through the fund, HealthWell will help ease this burden so families can focus on caring for their loved one."

In the same press release, Dr. Arif Kamal, chief patient officer at the American Cancer Society, added, “For the first time, more than 2 million new cancer cases are projected in 2024—that's almost 5,500 cancer diagnoses a day. And the high costs of cancer care and resulting financial toxicity are well documented in the United States—when cancer strikes, a person can easily go into debt. At the American Cancer Society, we believe that no one should have to worry about paying for cancer care or going without lifesaving treatments because they face financial barriers. We commend HealthWell for launching this vital initiative. By funding home care services and durable medical equipment, more people can focus on their health and daily activities in a familiar environment. This sense of comfort and normalcy is invaluable during a cancer journey."

Sources

National Survey Finds that Charitable Copay Assistance is a Critical Safety Net for Patients with Cancer and Autoimmune Disease. HealthWell Foundation. March 26, 2025. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/national-survey-finds-that-charitable-copay-assistance-is-a-critical-safety-net-for-patients-with-cancer-and-autoimmune-disease-302410988.html

HealthWell Foundation Opens Cancer Home Care Services Fund. HealthWell Foundation. December 16, 2024. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/healthwell-foundation-opens-cancer-home-care-services-fund-302332732.html