Low Vision Specialists of MD & VA Launches Innovative Partnership To Help Patients Fund Out-Of-Pocket Medical Expenses

Partners with No-Fee Crowdfunding Site Red Basket to Facilitate Patient Campaigns

TIMONIUM, MD– MARCH 3RD, 2016: Low Vision Specialists of MD & VA has partnered with Red Basket, a no-fee Free crowdfunding website, to help patients raise money for out-of-pocket health costs. Under the “Trusted Partnership” agreement with Red Basket, LVS will handle the pre-qualification and vetting of patients according to Red Basket criteria, completing the first step for patients who want to launch a Red Basket crowdfunding campaign for out-of-pocket medical costs.

“We want patients to be able to access health care that improves their lives and we believe this innovative partnership will achieve that,” said Bari Azman, Vice President Marketing & Business Development. “Working with a crowdfunding organization that doesn’t charge any processing fees was critical and that’s why we decided to partner with Red Basket. Unfortunately, we have seen other crowdfunding websites deduct large portions of funds raised by individuals causing further hardship.” Not only does Red Basket operate without fees, it assigns a dedicated account manager to advise patients in launching effective social media campaigns. And, Red Basket provides $50 in seed money* to launch new campaigns published on their site.

How Red Basket Works

Individuals looking to fund out-of-pocket medical costs are vetted by LVS. Red Basket then writes and publishes the fundraising story, and the individual shares their story via social media using Red Basket sharing tools. All the money raised is paid directly to the individual, even if they do not reach their overall fundraising goal.

Anyone with a financial need due to a medical condition, accident, act of nature or natural disaster can use Red Basket. Red Basket is a 501(c)3 public charity and donations are tax deductible.

From its inception in October 2012 through June 2015, Red Basket has paid more than $838,000 to 197 individuals across the US, received more than $1,000,000 in donations from more than 10,000 donors and completed 266 fundraising campaigns.

About Low Vision Specialists of MD & VA

Low Vision Specialists of Maryland and Virginia (LVS) specializes in maximizing patient vision and customizing optical systems for adult and geriatric patients suffering with vision loss caused by aging and/or ophthalmic disease, as well as children suffering with Stargardt’s disease. LVS improves the quality of life for patients whose vision loss makes activities of daily difficult or impossible. Founded in 1976, the practice has a documented 98% success rate in improving patient vision. LVS is a member of The International Academy of Low Vision Specialists (IALVS), and has multiple locations in Maryland and Virginia.

About Red Basket

Red Basket is a nonprofit crowdfunding website dedicated to helping individuals raise money for personal emergencies and community improvement projects in a fee-free environment. It is a 100% fee-free crowdfunding platform, fully supported by WoodmenLife,℠ which covers Red Basket’s administrative costs in their entirety. Red Basket is a 501(c)3 non-profit public charity headquartered in Omaha, NE, and serving individuals and community projects nationwide.

About WoodmenLife

WoodmenLife℠ created Red Basket® in 2012 as a way to bring their current model of community giving into the digital age. WoodmenLife not only houses Red Basket — giving them the creative space to do what they do — but also provides funding for Red Basket’s administrative fees and operating costs. That way, Red Basket can operate as a crowdfunding platform that is completely free of any fees.

*As long as there is at least $50 in the Good Start fund