Health Maintenance for Thalassemia Patients aged 50 Years and Older
The Cooley’s Anemia Foundation (CAF) recognizes the importance of maintaining health
among thalassemia patients and is offering reimbursement of up to $500 for approved expenses
related to health maintenance among U.S. thalassemia patients who are age 50 or older.
What expenses are covered?
CAF will provide up to $500 in reimbursement for expenses for treatments, devices, activities,
and projects which are intended to improve or maintain an individual’s health and which have
been discussed with and approved by an appropriate treating physician and reimbursement for
which has been agreed to by prior arrangement with CAF. The health issue which is being
addressed does not have to be related to thalassemia, so long as the goal is improvement or
maintenance of overall health or specific aspects of health of an individual.
Examples of expenses which would be considered for reimbursement to Thalassemia patients (of up to $500) include but are not limited to:
- Purchase/rental/use of medical devices approved by healthcare provider to treat
medical/health condition (such as low intensity vibration therapy devices aimed at
improving bone strength, etc.) - Cost of vitamins recommended by healthcare provider which are not covered under
health insurance plans - Uncovered co-pays associated with MRI measurements
- Membership in a gym or classes intended to improve physical health such as yoga, etc.
(such activities having been approved by healthcare provider) - Counseling sessions uncovered under health insurance
Again, these are just some examples to give an idea of the scope of treatments that would be
considered.
Applicants must provide proof of expenses paid in order to receive reimbursement, as well as
proof of approval (e.g., letter, prescription, etc.) of treatment, device, activity, etc. by healthcare
provider.
Total expense of treatment, device, activity, etc. may total more than $500; however, only a
maximum of $500 will be reimbursed. (For example, receipt may indicate that cost of treatment
is $1000. If approved, CAF will reimburse $500 of the $1000 expense.)
Who is eligible
Any thalassemia patient who meets all of the following requirements is eligible to apply for
support under this program
- Is registered in CAF’s patient database
- Has reached an age of 50 years or older
- Is a resident of the United States and has been a resident for a minimum of 2 years
- Has not undergone a successful bone marrow transplant (BMT) or gene therapy
procedure more than 5 years ago
o Patients who have undergone a successful BMT or gene therapy procedure within
the last 5 years are still considered eligible - Has not already received $500 in reimbursement under this program for expenses
incurred during the one-year period between July 1, 2023 and June 30, 2024
How to apply
Applicants should first contact CAF Patient Services Manager Eileen Scott
(escott@thalassemia.org) to let her know they intend to submit an application. Their email
should indicate the amount (estimated if not already expended) to be reimbursed and
approximately when they expect to submit their application for reimbursement.
After receiving a response from the Patient Services Manager, individuals should fill out and
submit the required application, including any necessary attachments. Attachments include
receipts/proof of expenditure, as well as verification that the treatment, device, activity, etc. for
which reimbursement is being sought has been approved by an appropriate healthcare provider.
Applications may be submitted between July 1, 2023 and June 30, 2024 for expenses occurred
during that period (between July 1, 2023 and June 30, 2024).
It is CAF’s intention to fund all approved requests from eligible patients and will make every
effort to do so; however, in the event that requests exceed available funding, CAF reserves the
right to regretfully reduce the amount of funds reimbursed to individuals or to deny requests for
reimbursement.
Click here for the 50+ Health Maintenance Award Application!