The Bleeding Disorder Foundation Of Washington

Patient assistance has been a growing area of support provided by the BDFW to serve those living with bleeding disorders directly. These direct services programs were expanded during COVID but have been maintained since due to the need. These services provide medical ID bracelets to over 250 children per year, back-to-school supplies, winter clothes, and shoes for safe play to reduce bleeding episodes. These services also include gap food support, transportation to medical visits pertaining to their bleeding disorder, lodging for doctor visits and hospital stays, and supportive devices not covered by insurance. Bleeding disorders have a large percentage of patients on Medicaid and Medicare due to the cost of the care creating decades of institutional poverty. Direct patient assistance is critical for patients to manage their condition.

Access to care advocacy and empowerment services focus on navigation of insurance, education on insurance, and access to coverage of bleeding disorder treatment on public and private insurance plans. Hemophilia is a bleeding disorder, that has some of the most expensive treatments in the country. The BDFW advocates for access to these treatments and all treatments for rare diseases through this program. We work with bleeding disorders and rare disease patients on how to advocate for themselves with elected officials, employers, school, and medical providers.