Common questions about assistance and the Foundation.
These answers summarize the current Version 1.0 program framework and may be updated as the Foundation begins operations.
The financial assistance program is intended for individuals in the fifty U.S. states or District of Columbia who have undergone brain surgery or a qualifying cranial neurosurgical procedure and demonstrate financial hardship associated with recovery.
No. Eligibility is not restricted to a particular diagnosis. Qualifying procedures may be associated with brain tumors, aneurysms, epilepsy, stroke, traumatic brain injury, vascular conditions, neurological disorders, or other conditions requiring qualifying brain or intracranial surgery.
The program is designed for post-surgical recovery. Requests will ordinarily relate to expenses incurred or expected within 12 months after the qualifying surgery. Extended recovery needs may be considered when they remain directly attributable to the surgery.
Households at or below 400% of the applicable Federal Poverty Guidelines will ordinarily be presumed to satisfy the income component of financial need. Households above that level may still qualify when substantial expenses, income loss, caregiving costs, insurance limitations, or other extraordinary circumstances demonstrate genuine hardship.
Potentially eligible expenses include home health and caregiving, rehabilitation, recovery-related medical or mobility equipment, prescriptions, transportation, temporary lodging, and necessary home accessibility or safety modifications. Final eligibility depends on the Foundation’s policies and the circumstances of the request.
No. Financial assistance is discretionary and subject to available Foundation funds, documentation, eligibility review, and the Foundation’s charitable policies.
When reasonably practical, the Foundation prefers direct payment to providers or vendors. Reimbursement or direct assistance may be used when appropriate and properly documented.
No. Donors may support the financial assistance program, but the Foundation retains discretion and control over charitable funds and independently determines recipients through its established eligibility and review process.
Yes, the planned application structure allows an eligible patient or an authorized parent, guardian, spouse, caregiver, representative, or other approved person to submit an application on the patient’s behalf when appropriate.
Not yet. The current Version 1.0 website includes the application structure but intentionally does not collect sensitive medical or financial documents until the secure intake and storage workflow is connected.