PArticipate for Life (PAL) program

The St James Healthcare Foundation, through the Participate for Life (PAL) Program, has limited funds available to assist family members with travel expenses. The PAL Program was established to offer financial assistance to individuals in our community who need to travel out of town to be with a loved one who needs specialized medical treatment not offered in Butte.

Can you imagine if your son or daughter is diagnosed with a rare disease and he or she has to go to Seattle for treatment? Even worse, can you imagine that you do not have the financial resources to afford to be with your loved one during this time!  This unfortunately is the case for many people in Butte and Southwestern Montana.  Hopefully with the PAL program, this will not happen.

PROGRAM GUIDELINES

•        The applicant must have a Physicians referral or diagnoses to be eligible for funding. Each case must be medically driven.
•         Each applicant must fill out a application form as well as an Authorization for Release of Information form to allow follow-up with referring Physician.
•         Assistance is not available if treatment is available in Butte.
•         Each applicant will be looked at on a case-by-case basis to determine eligibility.
•         Each applicant will be reviewed by a committee to determine funding availability.
•         In emergency cases where a meeting of the committee is not possible, the St James Healthcare Foundation staff will determine if PAL funds can be distributed.
•         Assistance eligible through the PAL Program includes gas cards, hotel expenses, airfare and bus tickets, and other travel assistance that may be required.
•         Other programs and funding sources should be pursued by the applicant prior to approaching the PAL Program to ensure to maximize the funding potential.
•         All information received by St James Healthcare Foundation will remain confidential.

WHAT THE PAL IS NOT

The PAL Program is not intended to finance 100% of applicants’ expenses. The purpose of this program is to assist with some of the cost they will incur.  The St James Foundation will continue to partner with medical and community organizations in various locations such as hospital cafeterias, gas stations, and motels to help reduce the out of pocket expenses that applicant may incur as well as the expenses paid through the PAL Program.

WORKING TOGETHER