The HealthWell Foundation®, an independent non-profit charitable organization that provides financial assistance for underinsured Americans, announced today that it has launched a new fund to assist governmentally-insured people living with schizophrenia. Through the fund, HealthWell will provide up to $4,000 in medication copayment or insurance premium assistance to eligible people with household incomes up to 500 percent of the federal poverty level.

Schizophrenia is a spectrum of serious neuro-psychiatric brain diseases in which people interpret reality abnormally. It may result in some combination of hallucinations, delusions and extremely disordered thinking and behavior that impairs daily life. Schizophrenia and related psychosis disorders affect at least 1 in 100 people in the United States – or about 2 million adults. People with schizophrenia typically require lifelong treatment.

“Stigma and lack of effective treatment options can play a detrimental role in the proper diagnosis and treatment for people living with schizophrenia,” said Suzanne M. Miller, PhD., Professor, Cancer Prevention & Control, Fox Chase Cancer Center/Temple University Health System, and HealthWell Foundation Board Vice Chair and Secretary. “Often times, diagnosis requires a multitude of tests because symptoms can vary from person to person. Providing financial resources that enable people to access and remain on prescribed treatments is a huge step forward in ensuring management of their disease. We are excited to launch the new fund and strengthen our commitment to assisting patients with mental health conditions.”

“Access to proper and sustained treatment is crucial to managing this complex brain disease, including helping to prevent relapses and allowing people to live the meaningful lives they deserve,” said Gordon Lavigne, Chief Executive Officer of the Schizophrenia & Psychosis Action Alliance. “People with schizophrenia who are on Medicare can be particularly challenged by the costs of managing their disease, as they may need multiple medications, and the copays alone can add up quickly. The HealthWell Foundation provides an invaluable service by recognizing the obstacles our community faces and offering financial support to ease their recovery journey.”

To determine eligibility for assistance, visit HealthWell’s Schizophrenia – Medicare Access Fund page. Note that all new fund openings and fund re-openings occur at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time (8:00 a.m. Pacific) Monday through Friday. To learn more about HealthWell programs and robust portfolio of disease funds, visit HealthWellFoundation.org.