Patient Assistance

As part of our commitment to helping people with lung disease, Breathe Pennsylvania offers an income-based patient assistance program for respiratory patients with an immediate need for medication, pulmonary rehabilitation, a nebulizer, or CPAP supplies.

The following qualifications must be met:

The patient must have a respiratory diagnosis confirmed by a healthcare worker who has agreed to work with Breathe Pennsylvania.
Patients must provide proof of income in the form of a 1040 tax form or social security statement of benefits. All income from all adults in the household must be provided.

Referrals must come from a health care provider that can verify the patient’s diagnosis. All referrals are approved based on program guidelines at the discretion of Breathe Pennsylvania’s Director of Adult Lung Education or Sleep Apnea Program Associate.

If you or someone you know in southwestern Pennsylvania* has a respiratory condition and needs support, call us at (724) 772-1750.

*Service area includes Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Fayette, Greene, Indiana, Lawrence, Washington and Westmoreland counties.

Types of Assistance

Some of the assistance provided through the program includes the following services.

Pulmonary Rehab

Breathe Pennsylvania negotiates directly with the rehab facility for the terms of payment. Breathe Pennsylvania may pay up to three months of pulmonary rehab copay and/or maintenance per qualifying patient.

Medication

Breathe Pennsylvania will pay ( to Breathe PA partner pharmacy only ) up to $300 per patient per month for respiratory medications. The assistance period lasts for a maximum of two months. The patient will be notified when assistance is provided.

Nebulizers

If a patient’s nebulizer is not covered by insurance, it may be provided by Breathe Pennsylvania. Before delivery, patients are required to receive proper instruction on use from Breathe Pennsylvania staff or a referring office employee, as previously agreed upon by Breathe Pennsylvania.

Air Conditioners

A single-room window air conditioner is provided through referral from a physician’s office or a program that can verify a patient’s diagnosis.

Spacers And Peak Flow Meters

Spacers and peak flow meters may be provided to qualifying patients who complete an education session with Breathe Pennsylvania.

CPAP Supplies

If a patient is compliant but having difficulty affording CPAP replacement supplies, we may be able to help. Contact us using the form below.

Melissa, Social Worker at Lifeline Therapy

My name is Melissa and I am the social worker for Lifeline Therapy which provides pulmonary rehabilitation for patients with chronic diseases. I have worked with Breathe PA for 4 years and have found them to be invaluable in helping patients pay for their pulmonary rehab maintenance program, medication assistance, and air conditioners. I have found Breathe PA to be a tremendous resource and quite frankly invaluable to our patient’s quality of life.

Henry, Program Participant who Received Education and Equipment

I attended an education session and received a portable nebulizer from Breathe PA while I was doing pulmonary rehab. Before that, I was stuck at home taking treatments all day just to be able to breathe. The education taught me how and when to take my breathing medications and that I was taking my rescue meds too frequently. Now using the spacer makes me feel like I’m getting more of the breathing medications that I take every day. All of this knowledge and the fact that I feel so much better has freed up a lot of time for me to do things I’d like to do. Add to that the portable nebulizer I received and now I’m able to visit friends and relatives and get out of the house for longer periods of time, even days, without worrying about how and when I’ll be able to take a treatment if I need one. I use oxygen as well so it’s great not having to carry so much stuff. These few small things and the time spent educating me has literally changed my life. I can’t thank you enough, Breathe PA. I don’t know where I’d be without you guys.

Judy, Program Participant who Received Assistance Paying for Medication

I would often skip my medications or take them every other day to stretch the medications out because I could not afford the medications. I would try and get samples but when the Doctor’s office would run out I didn’t know what to do and would go without my medications. Breathe PA was able to help me with two months of medications and it literally saved my life. I am forever grateful that they were there for me.

Frank, Program Participant who Received a Window Air-Conditioner

My apartment was so hot that I felt like I was going to suffocate and that I could not breathe. Breathe PA provided an air conditioner and actually shipped it to my apartment. The air conditioner enabled me to survive the summer months and let me breathe without suffering.”

Susan, Program Participant who Received Assistance Paying for Pulmonary Rehab

I loved the Pulmonary Rehab program but when it ended I had no where to go and exercise because I could not afford it. I had made so much progress and was devastated at the thought of declining. Breathe PA paid for three months of maintenance to help me continue to exercise and this was a lifesaver. My Doctor was thrilled and loved the gains that I had made.