Health Resources

Living with a chronic health condition can be challenging, frustrating, and tiring. You might feel like your life is on hold. Frequent hospital stays, difficult symptoms, and constant pain can make you feel hopeless. You may worry about whether you can keep your job, see your friends, take care of your family, or even take care of yourself.¹

You are not alone. Many people share in your experience and lead fulfilling lives. There are resources that offer support and education about your condition. Some resources even offer financial help. Knowing about your condition and your options for care can help you stay in charge of your health.

Finding your support team

Living with a long-term illness can feel hopeless at times, especially when you are dealing with constant pain or hospital stays. The first step to taking charge of your health is knowing your options.¹

• Talk to your doctor – Your healthcare team is your best resource. Your doctor or a social worker can point you toward local support groups and programs.
• Use national databases – The National Institutes of Health (NIH) website has a searchable list of organizations that can help connect you with resources in your specific area.
• Connect with others – Remember that many people share your experience and still lead fulfilling lives. Finding these communities can help you feel less isolated.

Managing your healthcare bills

Healthcare costs are a major challenge in the United States. It is possible to manage your health and your costs at the same time if you understand how the system works.¹

Understanding insurance terms

To keep costs down, you first need to understand common insurance terms:²

• Deductible – This is the specific amount of money you must pay for services before your insurance starts to pay.
• Copay – A set fee (like $30) that you pay at the time you receive a service.
• Co-insurance – This is when you and the insurance company share the costs, usually by a percentage. For example, you might pay 20 percent while the insurance covers 80 percent.
• Network – These are the doctors and hospitals your insurance has a contract with. "In-network" providers are usually much cheaper for you than "out-of-network" ones.

More health insurance terms can be found here.

Ways to lower your costs

There are several programs designed to help with medical expenses:^1,3,4

• Public programs – Medicaid provides coverage for low-income adults and people with disabilities, while the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) helps uninsured children and pregnant women.
• Community centers – These clinics offer low-cost or free care and can refer you to specialists.
• Prescription help – You can save money by asking for generic medicines, looking for drug samples from your doctor, or using Patient Assistance Programs (PAPs) from drug makers.
• Price shopping – Prices can vary between pharmacies, so it pays to check around for the best deal on your medications.

Resources for veterans, LGBTQ+ people, and other special groups

Certain groups have access to specialized programs that offer extra layers of support.

Military veterans

Veterans can access a wide range of services through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). This includes:⁵

• Standard health checkups and specialist appointments
• Support for caregivers who look after veterans
• Programs for mental health, substance abuse, and stopping smoking
• Telehealth services that let you see a doctor from home

To learn more about resources for veterans, visit va.gov.

The LGBTQ+ community

Many organizations work to ensure LGBTQ+ people get fair and equal healthcare:⁶

• Healthcare Equality Index – This report rates healthcare facilities on how inclusive they are for LGBTQ+ patients.
• Insurance rights – Under the Affordable Care Act, same-sex spouses have the same rights to health coverage and tax credits as opposite-sex spouses.
• Education centers – Nonprofits like the National LGBTQIA+ Health Education Center work to improve the quality of life and health equity for this community.

Other advocacy groups

The Patient Advocate Foundation can help you remove barriers to care by offering financial aid and a directory of resources. If you have cancer, the Cancer Financial Assistance Coalition (CFAC) and the American Cancer Society offer databases for financial help and local support.⁷

Navigating the workplace

Having a chronic illness does not mean you have to stop working, but you might need to make some changes. The law requires that you be treated fairly.⁸

Workplace accommodations

A workplace accommodation is a change to your work environment that helps you do your job. Examples include:⁸

• Using special equipment or assistive technology.
• Changing your work schedule or taking more frequent breaks.
• Adjusting your specific job duties.

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) says employers must provide these "reasonable accommodations" as long as they do not cause the company "undue hardship" (meaning they are not too difficult or expensive to implement).⁸

Dealing with discrimination

Discrimination is when you are treated unfairly because of your disability or medical history. This is illegal. If you face harassment or are denied a needed change at work, you can file a "Charge of Discrimination" with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). Generally, you have 180 days to file this complaint.⁸

Understanding disability leave and insurance

If your condition makes it impossible to work for a while, there are safety nets to help protect your income and your job:^9-11

• FMLA – The Family and Medical Leave Act gives qualified workers up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave each year. While you are on leave, your job is protected, and you keep your health benefits.
• Short-term and long-term insurance – These policies pay a part of your income if you become ill or injured. Short-term policies usually last up to a year, while long-term policies can last for several years or until you recover.
• Government benefits – The Social Security Administration (SSA) manages 2 main programs:
• SSDI – For people who have worked and paid Social Security taxes in the past
• SSI – For adults and children with disabilities who have little to no income or resources

How to apply for social security disability (SSDI)

Applying for disability is a detailed process that requires patience. To qualify for SSDI in 2026, you generally cannot earn more than $1,690 a month and must have a condition that has prevented you from working for at least 12 months.^10,11

The application process

You can apply online, by phone, or in person at a Social Security office. The SSA will look at your medical records and use a guide called the "Blue Book" to see if your illness qualifies as a disability. An SSA doctor will review how your condition limits your daily life.¹²

What if you are denied?

It is very common to be denied at first. If this happens, do not give up. You have 60 days to file an appeal. There are 4 levels of appeal:¹³

• Reconsideration – A new person reviews your claim
• Hearing – A judge listens to your case
• Appeals council review – A council checks if the previous decision followed the law
• Federal court – You can file a lawsuit if you still disagree with the decision

Many people find it helpful to hire a lawyer or use a legal aid service to help with an appeal.^12,13

Final thoughts for patients and caregivers

Living with a chronic condition is a journey that requires support from many different places. Whether you need help paying for medicine, adjusting your workspace, or applying for government benefits, remember that these resources are there to help you stay in charge of your life.

If you are struggling to find what you need, start by asking your doctor or a social worker for a referral. Help is available, and you do not have to do this alone.