In this section you'll find resources ranging from desease management associations to patient assistance programs.

Osteoporosis Associations

National Osteoporosis Foundation
The National Osteoporosis Foundation is the nation's leading voluntary health organization solely dedicated to osteoporosis and bone health.

Telephone: 202-223-2226, Website: www.nof.org

 

NIH Osteoporosis and Related Bone Diseases, National Resource Center

The National Resource Center, provides patients, health professionals, and the public with an important link to resources and information on metabolic bone diseases.
Telephone: 1-800-624-BONE , Website: www.osteo.org

 

National Institute on Aging
The National Institute on Aging (NIA) leads a broad scientific effort to understand the nature of aging and to extend the healthy, active years of life. NIA has a book and video about exercise for older people. For more information and a free publications list, write or call:

NIA Information Center, PO Box 8057, Gaithersburg, MD 20898-8057
Telephone: 1-800-222-2225, TTY: 1-800-222-4225 Website: www.nia.nih.gov

<back to top>

Arthritis & Rheumatoid Arthritis

American Pain Foundation
Non-profit organization providing resources, advocacy, & support for people with severe pain, information on pain types, medication, & management, articles, & links for find support.

Telephone: 1-888-615-7246, Website: http://www.painfoundation.org/

 

National Institute of Arthritis & Musculoskeletal & Skin Diseases (NIAMS)
The mission of NIAMS is to support research into the causes, treatment, and prevention of arthritis and musculoskeletal and skin diseases.

Telephone: 1-301-496-8190, Website: http://www.niams.nih.gov/

 

Arthritis Foundation

National non-profit organization that provides research, advocacy, programs and services about hundreds of arthritis and related conditions.

Telephone: 1-800-283-7800, Website: http://www.arthritis.org/

RA (Rheumatoid Arthritis) Help Center

Information resource for patients, their families, and friends on rheumatoid arthritis.

Website: http://www.rahelp.com/

<back to top>

Patient Assistance Programs

Don't Have Insurance

If you don't have insurance for prescription medications contact the specific Patient Assistance Program of the pharmaceutical company that manufacturers the medication you need. A basic listing of pharmaceutical companies and the guidelines of their Patient Assistance Programs can be found at the following websites.

     NeedyMeds.com, http://needymeds.com/

Information on programs designed to help those who can't afford their medicines.

     Helping Patients, http://www.helpingpatients.org/

Helps low-income, uninsured patients get free or nearly free brand-name medicines.

   RxAssist, Volunteers in Health Care, http://rxassist.org/
Search for assistance programs by company, brand, generic name, or drug class.

Medicaid & Medicare

Medicaid benefits are generally available to the very poor in this country. Each state administers the Medicaid Program, a.k.a. Medical Assistance Program, with funding from both the state and federal governments.

      Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), http://www.cms.hhs.gov/
The CMS is a federal agency within the US Dept of Health & Human Services that runs Medicare, Medicaid, and the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP).

      The Government Website for People with Medicare, http://www.medicare.gov/

Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary Program (SLMB)

  Veteran Benefits

Benefits are eligible only to those with disabilities connected to military service, but there are some available to veterans without disabilities.

      Veterans Benefits Administration, http://www.vba.va.gov/

Apply for VA health care by completing VA form 10-10EZ. This form may be obtained
by calling, toll-free 1-877-222-8387 or access the form at http://www.va.gov/1010ez.htm

 

Disability Information

     Social Security Administration, http://www.ssa.gov
Information on how to apply for Social Security Disability Income.

      National Rehabilitation Information Center for Independence (NARIC), http://www.naric.com
Databases of disability information including research, documents, & organizations.

     The Americans with Disabilities Act Information Line, 1-800-514-0301
Provides guidance on disability rights issues

<back to top>

Community Resources

 

Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, http://www.cdc.gov
Health topics A-Z, publications, the facts about health-related hoaxes & rumors, national data & statistics, & links to other health agencies.

 

Doctor's Guide, http://www.docguide.com
Up-to-date medical news, webcasts, case studies, resources, & recently approved drugs/indications.

 

Healthfinder^®, http://www.healthfinder.gov

Health information, including a health library, health care information, & directory of government agencies, daily health news, & online checkups.

 

US Department of Health & Human Services, http://www.hrsa.gov

Key program areas include: primary health care which helps provide health care to underserved populations, also focuses on health care needs of minorities and women.

 

Veritas Medicine, http://www.veritasmedicine.com
A free confidential resource providing access to clinical trials and information on treatment options.
 

The Alliance for Aging Research, http://www.agingresearch.org

Non-profit that seeks to improve and increase the rate of medical progress for the elderly.

Health Web, http://healthweb.org

A collaborative of several health sciences libraries providing online educational resources in several medical areas.

Virtual Hospital, http://www.vh.org/

A digital library of health information with several search options and information for patients and medical professionals.

<back to top>