New HealthWell Foundation Fund Offers Financial Assistance to Patients Living with Congenital Sucrase-Isomaltase Deficiency (CSID)

Support Now Available to Assist with Copayments and Premiums

News provided by

Nov 27, 2018, 08:00 ET

GERMANTOWN, Md., Nov. 27, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- The HealthWell Foundation^®, an independent non-profit that provides a financial lifeline for inadequately insured Americans, has launched a new fund to provide assistance to patients who are living with congenital sucrase-isomaltase deficiency (CSID). Through the fund, HealthWell will provide up to $10,000 in copayment or premium assistance to eligible patients living with CSID who have annual household incomes up to 500% of the federal poverty level.

According to the International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders (IFFGD), CSID is a genetic disorder that affects a person's ability to digest certain sugars. People with this condition cannot break down the sugars sucrose and maltose, and other compounds made from simple sugar molecules (carbohydrates), which can cause diarrhea, abdominal pain, and other symptoms. Sucrose (a sugar found in fruits, and also known as table sugar) and maltose (the sugar found in grains) are called disaccharides because they are made of two simple sugars. Disaccharides are broken down into simple sugars during digestion.

"For children and adults living with congenital sucrase-isomaltase deficiency (CSID), accurate diagnosis is just the first step," said Ceciel T. Rooker, President of the International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders (IFFGD). "Costs associated with this life-long digestive disorder pose a significant burden and can prevent individuals and families from obtaining the medical care they need. This fund from HealthWell Foundation will help lift some of that burden and give families greater access to needed treatments."

"People living with CSID can endure a multitude of uncomfortable, and more often, painful symptoms," commented Krista Zodet, HealthWell Foundation President. "Unfortunately, those living with CSID may suffer with symptoms for many years without a proper diagnosis. We are pleased that our dedicated donors recognize the burden out-of-pocket expenses may impose on CSID patients and are honored to provide a financial lifeline so they can focus on treatment and management of their condition."

To determine eligibility and apply for financial assistance, visit HealthWell's Congenital Sucrase-Isomaltase Deficiency page. To learn how you can support this or other HealthWell programs, visit HealthWellFoundation.org.

About the HealthWell Foundation
A nationally recognized, independent non-profit organization founded in 2003, the HealthWell Foundation has served as a safety net for more than 320,000 underinsured patients in more than 65 disease areas by providing access to life-changing medical treatments they otherwise would not be able to afford. HealthWell provides financial assistance to adults and children facing medical hardship resulting from gaps in their insurance that cause out-of-pocket medical expenses to escalate rapidly. HealthWell assists with the treatment-related cost-sharing obligations of these patients. For more information, visit www.HealthWellFoundation.org.

About IFFGD
The International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders (IFFGD) is a non-profit education and research organization dedicated to improving the lives of people affected by a chronic gastrointestinal disorder. Founded in 1991, IFFGD helps improve care by enhancing awareness, improving education, and supporting and encouraging research into treatments and cures for chronic digestive conditions. Learn more at www.iffgd.org.

CONTACT:
Ginny Dunn
240-632-5309
[email protected]

SOURCE HealthWell Foundation