Forbes Ranks HealthWell Foundation® One of America's Most Efficient Charities

GAITHERSBURG, Md., Dec. 15, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The HealthWell Foundation^®, a national nonprofit providing financial assistance to insured individuals with high out-of-pocket medication expenses, was recently recognized by Forbes as "one of America's 20 most efficient charities." Additionally, HealthWell was one of only 18 charities nationwide to achieve a 100 percent fundraising efficiency rating. The rankings are part of Forbes' annual list of America's 200 Largest Charities, which includes HealthWell for the fourth year in a row.

The Forbes efficiency ratings reflect the extent to which donated funds are directed toward the organization's stated charitable mission as opposed to overhead or fundraising costs. Donors seeking to support a nonprofit should inquire about the prospective organization's efficiency rating to better ensure that their donation is going toward their desired purpose.

"The HealthWell Foundation is distinguished from many nonprofit organizations for a host of reasons, chiefly its focus on financial transparency and its exemplary efficiency rating," stated Mary P. Sundeen, President of the HealthWell Foundation. "Third-party validation of HealthWell's fiscal efficiency, such as that received by Forbes over the past four years, sends a clear message to current and prospective donors as we voluntarily undergo rigorous independent vetting of our organization. I am pleased that we continue to perform at the highest level when measured against our peers and I am confident that this rating will further assist us in raising the critical funding necessary to support our expanding copayment assistance program."

One of the beneficiaries of the HealthWell Foundation is three-year-old Ayden, who lives with asthma and other chronic health issues. After a blood transfusion to treat anemia and hospitalization for a severe virus, Ayden's parents struggled to afford his medications, such as an inhaler to help him breathe, and other mounting medical expenses. With HealthWell's assistance, Ayden's asthma is now under control and his parents are able to focus on his return to good health rather than worrying about the next medical bill.  Learn more about Ayden.

In addition to the Forbes ranking, the HealthWell Foundation achieved significant milestones in 2011 including:

• Ranked in the top 250 on The Chronicle of Philanthropy's annual "Philanthropy 400," a list of 400 charities that raise the most money from private sources
• Awarded over $115 million in grants to more than 45,000 patients
• Launched seven new funds to assist patients: Chronic Myeloid Leukemia, Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, Chronic Gout, Crohn's Disease, Bone Metastases, ANCA-Associated Vasculitis/Wegener's Disease, and Metastatic Melanoma
• Established a Pediatric Assistance Fund to serve children with chronic and life-altering conditions. Donors interested in supporting this vital program can give online at http://www.healthwellfoundation.org.

About the HealthWell Foundation
Since 2004, the HealthWell Foundation^® has assisted more than 150,000 insured patients with chronic and life-altering illnesses in meeting their cost-sharing obligations for treatment. HealthWell is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides financial assistance to cover the cost of prescription drug coinsurance, copayments and deductibles, and health insurance premiums. For more information, visit www.HealthWellFoundation.org.

CONTACTS:
Shela Halper
240-632-5307
[email protected]

Ginny Dunn
240-632-5309
[email protected]

SOURCE HealthWell Foundation