As a leading charitable foundation and healthcare advocacy organization, the PAN Foundation is dedicated to accelerating access to treatment for those who need it most and empowering patients on their healthcare journeys. We provide critical financial assistance for treatment costs of over 80 diseases, advocate for policy solutions that expand access to care, and deliver education on complex topics — all driven by our belief that everyone deserves access to affordable, equitable healthcare.
Since 2004, our financial assistance programs have helped more than 1.3 million people to start or stay on life-changing treatment. In addition, we have achieved major policy victories that increase access to care, mobilized patient advocates to call for change, and educated people nationwide on critical healthcare-related topics. We are committed to working towards a future where equitable health outcomes are a reality for all. To learn more, visit panfoundation.org.
We advance health access through financial assistance, advocacy, and education. PAN grants can help with co-pays, deductibles, coinsurance, and premiums. To learn about a specific disease fund, and check eligibility online, visit panfoundation.org/funds.
To apply by phone, you can call 1-866-316-7263 (Monday through Friday, 9:00am – 5:30pm ET) to speak with a dedicated team who will guide you through the process.
Find help with FundFinder
FundFinder is a free website that helps you track more than 200 patient assistance funds from nine charitable organizations. You can sign up for email and text alerts when a fund you’re interested in opens at PAN or other organizations.
Developed by the PAN Foundation, you can access FundFinder from any web browser on your computer or mobile device. Anyone can sign up, and it’s completely free.
Visit fundfinder.org to sign up today.
Only two in five patients know whether their insurance plan uses common practices that prevent access to treatment and increase patient costs.
PAN Foundation’s Center for Patient Research released findings from a national poll exploring the awareness and understanding levels of financial assistance programs for healthcare-related expenses and challenges people face navigating their healthcare plans.
The poll, conducted by The Harris Poll, found that only one in five U.S. adults (21 percent) and patients with a chronic condition (24 percent) report being extremely or very familiar with financial assistance programs. These programs include pharmaceutical patient assistance programs, independent charitable foundations, federal programs like Extra Help, hospital charity care assistance, and more.
The poll also found that only about two in five U.S. adults (37 percent) and patients with a chronic condition (38 percent) understand their healthcare plan very well. Specifically, two in five U.S. adults don’t understand if their plan has an alternative funding program vendor relationship in place (41 percent) or what prescriptions/treatments require step therapy (40 percent).
Patients need financial assistance but lack awareness of programs
- Roughly 30 percent of U.S. adults and 37 percent of patients with a chronic condition needed financial assistance in the past year to help cover out-of-pocket healthcare expenses.
- Among those who needed financial assistance, 37 percent of U.S. adults and 41 percent of adults with a chronic condition did not end up receiving financial assistance.
- Among U.S. adults, 40 percent had never heard about independent charitable assistance foundations or pharmaceutical patient assistance programs.
- The internet (32 percent for U.S. adults; 31 percent for patients with a chronic condition) and healthcare providers (23 percent for U.S. adults; 25 percent for patients with a chronic condition) are the first places people turn to for information about financial assistance programs.
Patients face challenges using their healthcare plans
- Over half (56 percent) of U.S. adults, and even more patients with a chronic condition (63 percent), report challenges/barriers using their healthcare plans in the past year.
- Many U.S. adults (35 percent) and patients with a chronic condition (42 percent) have delayed or avoided necessary care due to confusion about their healthcare plan coverage.
- Many U.S. adults (28 percent) and patients with a chronic condition (35 percent) delayed or skipped taking prescription medication due to lack of affordability or healthcare plan coverage in the past year.
- Most U.S. adults (84 percent) and patients with a chronic condition (85 percent) report experiencing some impact because of challenges using their healthcare plans.
Patients want more education and awareness
- Most U.S. adults (84 percent) and patients with a chronic condition (87 percent) report a range of resources would help them understand and navigate financial assistance programs and healthcare plans.
- The most requested resources include: questions to ask my healthcare provider and insurance plan (29 percent of U.S. adults; 33 percent of patients with a chronic condition); a case manager who could help them with financial assistance (29 percent of U.S. adults; 33 percent of patients with a chronic condition); and simple guides explaining key terms, benefits, and eligibility requirements (29 percent of U.S. adults; 32 percent of patients with a chronic condition).
“This poll makes it clear that more needs to be done to help people understand and navigate financial assistance programs and their healthcare plans,” said Kevin L. Hagan, President and CEO of the PAN Foundation.
“At the PAN Foundation, we are committed to breaking down complex healthcare topics such as these to help ensure everyone has access to affordable healthcare. We will use these findings to keep creating clear, easy-to-understand resources and support services that meet the needs of patients. In addition, we will continue to serve as a critical safety net for those who need help affording their care through our 80+ financial assistance programs.”
Responding to the need for education and awareness
PAN’s educational initiatives are focused on making it as easy as possible for people to make decisions that help them access affordable care. By developing resources with clear, plain language, PAN is working to empower people to navigate their healthcare journeys.
Resources
- PAN’s educational resources
- How to find financial assistance for your prescription medications
- Tips for saving money on prescription medications
- How alternative funding programs prevent access to medications
- Protecting your access to medications
A story of partnership, resilience, and hope
Scott and Jennifer Matsuda have supported each other through every challenge, including Scott’s diagnosis with rare leukemia in 2012. As small business owners, they faced financial strain when Scott’s medication costs soared. Their oncologist connected them with the PAN Foundation, which helped cover treatment expenses.
Now in remission, Scott and Jennifer have found strength not only in each other but also by helping others. Scott mentors people with leukemia, offering guidance and companionship through difficult times. Jennifer teaches caregiving classes, sharing her experience to support families navigating cancer care.
Scott said,
We have this choice of
how we want to live the rest of our lives
For many of us, our lives are going to be shortened.
It makes me much more cognizant of the fact
that I need to be much more focused
on living the good life now.
Read more of Scott and Jennifer’s story on PAN’s website.
Call us
For help with applying for PAN grants, managing your grant, billing, and reimbursements, call us Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. ET, at 1-866-316-7263.
Talk to an interpreter
We provide live interpretation in more than 100 languages. You can request to talk to an interpreter in your preferred language.
- Call us at 1-866-316-7263 Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. ET.
- At the first recorded menu, select the option for another language. You will be connected to an interpreter who will help with your call.
Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS)
To use the national TTY-based Telecommunciations Relay Service (TRS), call 711, and then ask the communication assistant to dial 1-866-316-7263. Our contact center is open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. ET. Learn more at FCC.gov.
Apply for PAN grants
You can apply online through the PAN portal or by phone. We encourage you to apply online through the PAN portal, but to apply by phone, call us at 1-866-316-7263, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. ET. Healthcare professionals can apply online or by phone on behalf of their patients.
Verify your income and/or insurance premium
If you have been asked to verify your income and/or your health insurance premium, to complete your grant application, you can submit documents through our secure online form. You can also mail or fax documents.
Activate your PAN debit card
If you have been awarded a PAN transportation grant, you will receive a PAN debit card to use for these covered expenses. You must activate your card before you can begin using it; use our easy and secure online form.
File a claim or get reimbursed
Do you need to file a claim?
- If you are a patient, complete the direct reimbursement form and mail or fax the required documents to the address below.
- If you are a healthcare professional, find information at provider claims and pharmacy claims.
If you have questions related to claims, call us at 1-866-316-7263 from Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. ET.
Call for clinical trials help
Our ComPANion Access Navigators are here to offer free, personalized assistance and education tailored to your clinical trial journey. Whether you have questions about the clinical trial process or need help finding the right trial for you, our warm and knowledgeable ComPANions are just a phone call away.
- Call for clinical trial help: 1-855-329-5969, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. ET.
- Learn more about our ComPANion Access Navigator services
Media inquiries and speaker requests
Contact us with media inquiries, request a speaker from our healthcare access experts, and learn about the research and insights the PAN Foundation can provide for you.
Whether you are a journalist working on a story or an event organizer planning a panel, our experts bring insight, patient experiences, and data-driven research to the national conversation around healthcare access and affordability. We regularly work with media outlets to provide interviews, patient perspectives, research, and to participate in dozens of speaking engagements every year.
Share your story
Your journey can inspire others! Whether you’re a PAN grant recipient, a devoted caregiver, healthcare provider, or pharmacist, you have a unique perspective on the healthcare affordability crisis. We make it easy to share your story—in your written words, and/or by recording a quick video in your voice.
- Share your story as a patient, caregiver, or provider
- Share your story as a donor
- Share your experience with healthcare policies
PAN Foundation
1032 15th Street NW, Suite 413
Washington DC 20005
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