Managing the Financial Side of Stroke Recovery

May is National Stroke Awareness Month. Although largely preventable, statistics show that every 40 seconds someone in the United States has a stroke. In fact, stroke is a leading cause of long-term disability in the United States.

Recovering from a stroke can be challenging. Among stroke survivors:

50 percent have some weakness or paralysis on half of their body (hemiparesis)
30 percent need walking assistance
46 percent have cognitive deficits
19 percent suffer speech or language impairments (aphasia)
26 percent require assistance with daily living (dependent ADLs)
26 percent require nursing home care

Not surprisingly, a stroke survivor’s healthcare can be extremely expensive. The average stroke patient pays more than $140,000 in lifetime medical bills.
The costs can be so significant that the National Stroke Association has a section of its website dedicated to helping stroke survivors manage their finances. The organization recommends four tips for adjusting to the financial demands of stroke recovery:

Create a financial plan – Establish a budget so that you can cut costs and responsibly use your savings before withdrawing from retirement funds or taking on debt.
Maintain your health insurance – It is critical to work with your employer and insurance provider to ensure you have ongoing coverage.
Contact your lender or landlord – If you think you may have trouble paying your mortgage or rent, proactively reach out to discuss your options. Local and federal housing programs may be able to help.
Use your local resources – As you are recovering, take advantage of the many different utility, food, and other support programs in your area so that you can focus on getting well.
Carefully managing the cost of your prescription medications is also an important component of your healthcare budget. The FamilyWize Prescription Discount Card, which is regarded as one of the best options for people in need of pharmacy savings cards, enables everyone, both insured and uninsured, to save on prescription medications, with average savings of around 40 percent. The rx discount card is free for all and has unlimited use and no eligibility requirements. It is accepted at pharmacies nationwide, including all major chains. Learn more at FamilyWize.org.
To participate in Stroke Awareness Month, please visit the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke website or Stroke.org.