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Information about all aspects of finances affected by a serious health condition. Includes income sources such as work, investments, and private and government disability programs, and expenses such as medical bills, and how to deal with financial problems.
Information about all aspects of health care from choosing a doctor and treatment, staying safe in a hospital, to end of life care. Includes how to obtain, choose and maximize health insurance policies.
Answers to your practical questions such as how to travel safely despite your health condition, how to avoid getting infected by a pet, and what to say or not say to an insurance company.

If you are physically and mentally able, you can likely handle the initial application process yourself. Consider at least trying to complete the forms yourself or with a volunteer family member or friend.

When you look at the forms, it looks like there is a lot to fill out - and there is. However:

  • The questions are not meant to be difficult.
  • You are usually the only one who can answer them. 
  • Sometimes, just reading over and discussing the questions with someone else makes them easier to answer.

If you hire someone to assist with the forms, they would be asking you the same questions as the forms ask since you are the only source for almost all the information.

Also, given the way professional people are paid for their assistance, they make the most money getting denials overturned and large retrospective payments. This is almost an incentive for them to get you declined the first time so they can work on the more lucrative appeals. We're not suggesting you assume that everyone will be out to feather their own nest - just that you be aware of the potential conflict of interest.

If you need assistance, free help may be available.

  • Check with your local disease specific non profit organization. Many such organizations provide assistance with this process for free.
  • Your local Legal Aid Society and other legal services organizations may also be able to help for free. To learn how to access such help, see: www.LawHelp.org offsite link

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If you still want to consider hiring someone to help with the initial forms, see the discussions at Hiring A Representative