If healthcare costs are putting a pinch on your budget you may want to consider looking into assistance through the following organizations:

• Benefits Check-Up and Benefits Check Up RX – this service of the National Council on the Aging helps people 55 and older find federal, state and local public and private programs to help pay a portion of their medical care and prescription costs.
• MedicareRx Extra Help – an online application to obtain financial assistance for your Medicare prescription drug costs and determine if you qualify for other health care cost assistance programs.
• Patient Advocate Foundation (800-532-5274) – serves as a liaison between patients and their insurer, employer and/or creditors to resolve insurance job retention or debt crisis issues relating to a patient’s condition.
  
• Partnership for Prescription Assistance – site of the Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association with information about pharmaceutical companies’ discount and free medication programs.