COPD Foundation Podcast

Episode 21 : Denied Doesn’t Mean No: How to Access Advanced COPD Treatments and Navigate Insurance Barriers

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Feeling stuck trying to access the care you need? You’re not alone. And you’re not out of options.

In this episode of the COPD Foundation Podcast, respiratory therapist Jonnie Korinko, and registered nurse Amanda Atkinson break down one of the most frustrating challenges facing people living with COPD and other chronic conditions: navigating the healthcare system to access advanced treatments.

You’ll learn why insurance denials aren’t always final, how specialty pharmacies fit into the process, and where to find financial assistance programs that can make expensive medications more affordable.

Most importantly, this conversation highlights the powerful role you play as your own advocate, and how asking the right questions can move your care forward faster.

Whether you’re dealing with prior authorizations, delays, coverage challenges, or simply feeling overwhelmed, this episode offers practical strategies, insider insight, and reassurance that you’re not alone.

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Episode Resources:

• Specialty pharmacy & pharmaceutical financial assistance and patient support:
  • NeedyMeds comprehensive nonprofit database for patient assistance programs, drug coupons, and free- or low-cost clinics.
  • Partnership for Prescription Assistance (PPA) free service that helps people find public, private, and pharmaceutical assistance programs.
  • RxAssist database of pharmaceutical assistance programs.
• Community Foundations:
  • PAN Foundation helps people access affordable, equitable health care through financial assistance, advocacy, and education.
    • Fund Finder PAN Foundation tool that searches for available funds.
  • HealthWell Foundation financial assistance for coinsurance, premiums, deductibles, and other out-of-pocket medical expenses.
  • Patient Advocate Foundation free case management services for people with chronic conditions.
    • PAF offers a co-pay relief program for people with certain chronic conditions.
  • The Assistance Fund (TAF) financial assistance with out-of-pocket costs for people with certain chronic conditions.
  • GoodDays assists with medical expenses, including co-pays, travel costs for treatment, and premiums.
• COPD Foundation resources

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Hosts:

Jonnie Korinko, MSRC, RRT, RRT-ACCS
Respiratory Therapist & Educator, COPD Foundation

Amanda Atkinson, MSN, RN
Registered Nurse & Educator, COPD Foundation

Contact & Support:

For more information and resources, visit the COPD Foundation website or reach out to your health care team.

Episode 20 : Hidden In Plain Sight: Why Alpha-1 Testing Is Still Being Missed and What You Can Do About It.

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Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency is still widely missed in COPD care. In this episode, Amanda Atkinson and Dr. Charlie Strange discuss why Alpha-1 testing is often overlooked, how documentation gaps happen, and what clinicians can do to improve early detection. Learn practical steps to reduce diagnostic delay. Identify Alpha-1 sooner.

The receipt of free Alpha-1 screening or testing services does not create any expectation or obligation to purchase or use any product or service offered by any manufacturer. This episode has been sponsored by Grifols.

Episode 19 : COPD Research Under Attack: Protecting NIH Funding

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Innovation for new COPD therapies and early diagnosis can only happen because of research, and National Institutes of Health (NIH) funded research is responsible for many of these activities. Unfortunately, NIH funding—and consequently research for new COPD therapies—has recently been under attack. Join us for a conversation with COPD Foundation’s Senior Manager of Advocacy and Public Policy Bailey McCrary, Director of Education Jonnie Korinko, MSRC, RRT, RRT-ACCS, and MeiLan Han, MD, MS, about what this means for our community and what you can do.

Episode 18 : When The Symptoms Just Don’t Fit: Diagnosing What Others Miss

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Not all shortness of breath is the same. When patients adapt to their symptoms, or when a current diagnosis just doesn’t fit, it’s time to dig deeper and see what is missing. In this episode, Amanda Atkinson, MSN, RN, talks with Physician Associate Brian Bizik, who shares clinical insight and his family’s personal story with alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency. Unexplained breathlessness isn’t normal, and alpha-1 isn’t rare; it is just underdiagnosed. Join us and learn what you can do as a provider when symptoms just don’t add up. This episode has been sponsored by Grifols. To order free screening kits for your practice visit https://copdf.co/alpha1-orderkit. The receipt of these free testing services does not create any expectation or obligation to purchase or use any product or service by any manufacturer.

Episode 17 : Real Stories of Living on Oxygen Therapy: A World Oxygen Day Special Podcast

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What is it really like to live with an oxygen therapy prescription?

Join us for a conversation with two supplemental oxygen users, Jean and Art, who share their personal journeys with oxygen therapy. They are joined by “the Oxygen Guy,” Mike Hess, MPH, RRT, RPFT, Senior Director of Advocacy and Regulatory Affairs at the COPD Foundation, who helps uncover the challenges and benefits of navigating a supplemental oxygen prescription.

Together, the group discusses topics including advice for new users, pulmonary rehabilitation, differences in quality of life on oxygen therapy, and how clinicians can better support their patients.

World Oxygen Day is October 2. This episode is part two of a two-part series in honor of those who need or benefit from oxygen therapy. Learn more about World Oxygen Day at WorldOxygenDay.org

Episode 16 : Prescribing Oxygen Access for Life: A World Oxygen Day Special Podcast

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How can health care providers better prepare their patients for living with oxygen therapy? Join “the Oxygen Guy,” Mike Hess, MPH, RRT, RPFT, Senior Director of Advocacy and Regulatory Affairs at the COPD Foundation, for a conversation about supplemental oxygen prescriptions and support for those who need it. Mike is joined by fellow respiratory therapists, Krystal Craddock, RRT, RRT-NPS, AE-C, RRT-ACCS, FAARC, and Chrysalis Ashton, MSRC, RRT, to discuss their unique practices in identifying patients who might benefit from oxygen therapy and how to prepare them for managing a supplemental oxygen prescription.

World Oxygen Day is October 2. This episode is part one of a two-part series in honor of those who need or benefit from oxygen therapy. Learn more about World Oxygen Day at WorldOxygenDay.org

Episode 15 : Reclaiming Connection: Sex, intimacy, and COPD

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Feeling close is still possible when you're living with COPD. Join Amanda Atkinson, MSN, RN, Dr. Sandy Sandhaus, Corinne Young, MSN, FNP-C, FCCP, and Diana, an individual living with COPD and alpha-1, for an honest, open conversation about intimacy after a COPD diagnosis. Real talk, practical strategies, and reminders that love, closeness, and intimacy are still possible.

Episode 14 : Time is Lung: Early Diagnosis and Collaboration of Care for COPD and Alpha-1

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Delayed diagnosis of Alpha-1 and COPD can have serious consequences, but early diagnosis and interventions can have positive impact. In this episode of the COPD Foundation Podcast join Amanda Atkinson, MSN, RN and Corinne Young, MSN, FNP-C, FCCP as they discuss the importance of early diagnosis of COPD and Alpha-1 in primary care, as well as timing for referral to pulmonology. 

For up-to-date information on diagnosing and managing COPD and Alpha-1 visit the COPD Foundation at www.copdfoundation.org. The receipt of free Alpha-1 screening or testing services does not create any expectation or obligation to purchase or use any product or service offered by any manufacturer. This episode has been sponsored by Grifols.