The National Kidney Foundation of Arizona can provide emergency financial assistance for a variety of special needs when other sources of help are exhausted. Assistance should be requested through the patient’s social worker or dietitian. Basic eligibility requirements include a diagnosis of end-stage renal disease (eGFR<15), Arizona residency, and participation in an on-going treatment program (dialysis, transplant, CKD clinic).
Assistance is available through the following programs:
- Dental Care
- Food
- Utilities
- Medications
- Nutritional Supplements
- Rent and Mortgage
- Transportation
DENTAL CARE
This program offers dental services for ESRD patients who are on dialysis and/or prepping for a kidney transplant. Post-transplant patients who need dental care can also apply. Orthodontic and cosmetic dental services are not provided. The goal of the dental program is to prevent poor dental health from undermining the nutritional status of patients, their ability to qualify for a transplant, and/or their quality of life.
FOOD
ESRD patients who are nutritionally compromised or whose situation threatens their ability to adhere to their renal diet occasionally need assistance to obtain food. This program provides assistance in the form of food cards and assistance is limited to $180 per patient per year, which is typically provided in monthly increments of $40.00.
UTILITIES
ESRD patients who encounter financial hardships sometimes need help to pay utility bills. This program allocates dollars for financial assistance with utility bills. NKF AZ works directly with the utility companies to make payment arrangements.
MEDICATIONS
This program helps ESRD patients who are not financially able to purchase their medications and do not qualify for any other government, private, or manufacturer assistance programs. The medication program is a form of short-term assistance that must be renewed every four months. The program serves as a crisis intervention, providing patients with the time needed to make financial adjustments or to apply for other coverage. To ensure cost effectiveness, coverage is limited to a restricted formulary addressing renal related issues.
NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENTS
This program provides medically prescribed nutritional supplements for patients who are nutritionally compromised. Liquid protein drinks, protein powders, and protein bars are available.
RENT AND MORTGAGE
ESRD patients who encounter financial hardships sometimes need help to pay their rent, mortgage, or security deposits. This program works with the landlord or mortgage company to make a payment which was missed because of extenuating circumstances. It is the National Kidney Foundation of Arizona's policy to not assist patients with payments they cannot maintain on their own.
TRANSPORTATION
This program is designed to help patients travel to and from dialysis. Assistance is limited to $100 per patient per month for such things as bus fare, Dial-A-Ride tickets, and taxi vouchers. Assistance is also available for car payments, car repairs, and gasoline when patients commute to dialysis in rural areas.