Metabolic Terrain Institute of Health (MTIH) Patient Grantmaking Policy

Purpose

The Metabolic Terrain Institute of Health (MTIH) Patient Support Fund provides financial assistance to individuals or families in need, specifically to support access to therapies and treatments based on the metabolic approach to cancer. The grant aims to alleviate the financial burden on patients who are unable to afford these therapies, which often fall outside the scope of insurance coverage.

Eligibility Criteria

• Patient Criteria:

  • The applicant must have a confirmed cancer diagnosis.

  • The applicant must be receiving care or assistance from a Certified Metabolic Health Practitioner or Advocate within the MTIH Network.

  • Applications can be submitted by the patient or by a family member on behalf of the patient.
    Financial Need:

  • Applicants must demonstrate financial need. This may include, but is not limited to, the inability to work due to diagnosis, increased medical expenses, or a significant change in household income.

  • Verification of financial information may be requested during the application process.

• Treatment Coverage:

  • Grants are intended to cover specific therapies and treatments associated with the metabolic approach that are not covered by insurance. These may include, but are not limited to:

    • Mistletoe Therapy

    • Intravenous (IV) Therapy

    • Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

    • Hyperthermia

    • Physician or Advocate Consults

    • Lab work

    • Supplements/nutraceuticals

Application Process

• Submission:

  • Applications are to be completed by the patient or a family member and submitted through the MTIH grant application portal.

• Information Collection:

  • MTIH, its employees, and volunteers collect data through various means, including letters, emails, and applications, as necessary to process the grant requests. All information provided is held in strict confidence and used solely for the purpose of determining eligibility for financial assistance.

• Patient & Practitioner Acknowledgement:

  • By signing the application, both the patient and the Certified Metabolic Health Practitioner acknowledge that all information provided is accurate and verifiable.

• Grant Awards:

  • Grants are subject to eligibility criteria and the availability of funds. If funds are unavailable at the time of application, the application may be reconsidered within six months if funds become available.

  • Submission of an application is not a guarantee of the provision of a patient grant, or a guarantee that at such a time as such a grant application is received that grant funds are available.

  • If awarded, the grant amount, terms, and conditions will be communicated to both the patient and the provider.

Grant Disbursement and Usage

• Funds Disbursement:

  • All awarded funds are paid directly to the Certified Metabolic Health Practitioner or Advocate identified in the grant application.

• Usage of Funds:

  • Grant funds must be used solely for the therapies and treatments outlined in the grant award. Funds must be utilized within one year of receipt. Unused funds must be returned to MTIH unless an extension is requested and approved.

• Reporting:

  • The Practitioner must provide MTIH with a report detailing the dates and amounts expended from the grant within one year of fund receipt or upon depletion of the funds. No specific information regarding the treatment provided is required, only the financial details of fund usage.
    
    

Privacy and Confidentiality

• Confidentiality of Information:

  • MTIH does not disclose any information about applicants’ financial situations or medical conditions unless required by law or explicitly authorized by the patient through a signed HIPAA consent form.

• Use of Non-Identifying Information:

  • MTIH reserves the right to use non-identifying information from patient communications (e.g., thank you notes, letters) for fundraising and promotional purposes unless the patient requests otherwise in writing.

Compliance and Agreement

By accepting a grant from MTIH, both the patient and the Practitioner agree to comply with the terms outlined in this policy, furthering MTIH’s mission to make the metabolic approach to cancer accessible globally. MTIH reserves the right to conduct periodic audits of Practitioners and/or patients to ensure that all grant funds are being properly utilized.

Should MTIH determine that grant funds, once distributed, are utilized for purposes other than for the patient to receive metabolic therapies and treatments, or for any improper purposes, MTIH reserves the right to request a return of some or all of the grant funds.

Review and Amendments

This policy will be reviewed periodically and may be amended to reflect changes in organizational needs, funding availability, or regulatory requirements. Any such changes that may substantively alter or amend these policies will be communicated to patients and Practitioners.

Limitations

No employee, contractor, staff member, or staff member’s family shall benefit from any grant unless a waiver is obtained for such grant funding by a decision of the board of directors. Further, no advisor, volunteer, or donor who is involved in the grant review or recommendation of a grant shall benefit from any grant. On an annual basis, all employees, contractors, staff, volunteers, and board members shall complete a conflict of interest statement disclosing any actual or apparent conflict of interest, and further indicating that they will disclose any potential conflicts should any arise at any time in the future. If a board member or volunteer has a conflict with a particular grant application, that person will abstain from voting on the grant recommendation.

Liability

At no point will MTIH be liable for or bear responsibility for the physical outcomes of any treatments or therapies obtained by or applied by the patient’s healthcare practitioner as a result of funds received through the receipt of a patient grant from MTIH. It is the sole responsibility of the patient and practitioner, without any input and influence by MTIH, to pursue, obtain, utilize, or undergo any therapy or treatment, including those that may be considered within the scope of the metabolic approach to cancer. MTIH is not in the role of nor does MTIH provide any treatment-related advice or guidance for the patient, and MTIH is not in the role of treatment provider for the patient. Patient grants are solely for financial support and not to be construed as treatment advice, counseling, or medical advice.