By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
  • Health
    • Mental Health
    Health
    Healthcare organizations are operating on slimmer profit margins than ever. One report in August showed that they are even lower than the beginning of the…
    Show More
    Top News
    preventing from sickness
    The 4 Steps To Take If You Get Sick While Living As An Expat
    August 25, 2024
    workout recovery
    From Fatigue to Fuel: Recovery Hacks for Faster Results
    December 24, 2024
    Common Healthcare Accreditation Programs
    7 Most Common Healthcare Accreditation Programs: Which Should You Use?
    August 20, 2025
    Latest News
    7 Most Common Healthcare Accreditation Programs: Which Should You Use?
    August 20, 2025
    Hospital Pest Control and the Fight Against Superbugs
    August 20, 2025
    Hygiene Beyond The Clinic: Attention To Overlooked Non-Clinical Spaces
    August 13, 2025
    5 Steps to a Promising Career as a Healthcare Administrator
    August 3, 2025
  • Policy and Law
    • Global Healthcare
    • Medical Ethics
    Policy and Law
    Get the latest updates about Insurance policies and Laws in the Healthcare industry for different geographical locations.
    Show More
    Top News
    Image
    Caregivers, Don’t Forget to Wash Your Hands, It Saves Lives
    February 10, 2013
    Misconception – Healthcare Reform Will Impact Medical Science
    March 8, 2012
    Image
    What To Do About Heroin and Oxycontin
    April 26, 2013
    Latest News
    How Social Security Disability Shapes Access to Care and Everyday Health
    August 22, 2025
    How a DUI Lawyer Can Help When Your Future Health Feels Uncertain
    August 22, 2025
    How One Fall Can Lead to a Long Road of Medical Complications
    August 22, 2025
    How IT and Marketing Teams Can Collaborate to Protect Patient Trust
    July 17, 2025
  • Medical Innovations
  • News
  • Wellness
  • Tech
Search
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: How Patients Can Receive Financial Assistance For Medication
Share
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
Font ResizerAa
Search
Follow US
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Health Works Collective > Policy & Law > Medical Education > How Patients Can Receive Financial Assistance For Medication
Medical EducationNewsPublic Health

How Patients Can Receive Financial Assistance For Medication

joan justice
joan justice
Share
9 Min Read
Image
SHARE

During the past several years, the media has talked continuously about health costs in general and medication costs in particular.

During the past several years, the media has talked continuously about health costs in general and medication costs in particular. The New York Times has run several pieces, including: Many Struggling With Prescription Drug Costs, Concern Over Drug Costs, and As Drug Costs Rise, Bending the Law is One Remedy as well as numerous others.

Patients are struggling. Costs are exorbitant for some cancer drugs. Many patients bankrupt themselves trying to pay, and many just go without.

Some insurance companies pay for these medications, but many only pay for a percentage of the total. For some patients, the co-pays and deductibles are extremely high.

More Read

Oral Health: How To Prepare For A Dental Emergency
Stents for Stroke Prevention A Risky Proposition
10 Ridiculously Cool Facts You Did Not Know About CBD Vape Oil
Important Tips For Writing Medical Training Manuals
Fitbit Profile Sexual Activity Shows up in Google Search Results, What Else Could?

However, there is help.

Organizations like the Patient Access Network Foundation (PAN) can help patients access the medications they need.

Image

The PAN Foundation mission statement reads:

The Patient Access Network Foundation offers help and hope to people with chronic or life-threatening illnesses for whom cost limits access to breakthrough medical treatments

PAN was founded in 2004 and since then has provided more than 200,000 underinsured patients with over $400 million dollars in assistance. Patients can receive between $500 and $15,000 a year in co-payment assistance. PAN provided nearly 91,000 grants in 2013 alone.Image

Amy Niles (photo at right) is Director of Patient Advocacy and Professional Relations at PAN. Niles has a background in healthcare administration and patient advocacy and now works with PAN to develop their outreach strategy.

In 2010, PAN provided 16,000 grants; in 2013 that number increased to 91,000 and already in 2014 they have approved about 50,000 grants. The disease funds operated by PAN are supported through donations from a wide range of donors, including pharmaceutical companies, medically related organizations, individuals and foundations.

Niles comments,

“We are growing very quickly. We know that there are patients out there who need our help. We work a great deal with patient advocacy groups and professional medical associations so that their members and constituency know about the financial assistance that’s available to patients. As part of our outreach, we work with patient advocates, social workers, navigators and other professionals, who are working every day with patients, helping them understand financial options. The role of the patient advocate has grown significantly over the past ten years.

Receiving assistance from PAN is easy. Patients can apply online or by phone. Some patients apply for grants directly, but 2/3 of the grant requests come from providers or specialty pharmacies acting as advocates for their patients.

There are certain criteria patients must meet to qualify for a PAN grant. (PAN operates nearly 60 disease funds; about half are cancer related, and the other half are chronic or rare disease related.)

  • Patients must be insured and their insurance must cover the medication for which they seek assistance.
  • The medication must treat the disease directly.
  • Patients must reside and receive treatment in the United States.
  • Patients’ income must fall at or below 400-500% of federal poverty level. For example, at 500%, this means that a family of 2 must earn an annual income of $78,650 or below

Depending on the disease fund, patients, if approved, may receive between $500 and $15,000 for a 12 month period. For example, the grant amount for a patient with multiple myeloma is $10,000. The grant amount for a patient with metastatic breast cancer is $7500. This money is usually paid to providers or pharmacies directly, but patients can apply themselves, and be reimbursed for expenses incurred.

Also, there is a 90 day “look back” time which means that once a patient is approved, they can go back 90 days and submit out-of-pocket expenses for reimbursement.

When asked how the amount is calculated, Niles explains,

“We work with an actuarial firm that helps us determine the amount that, in general, patients will need to help them with their co-payment. This amount is arrived at after a very lengthy analysis of claims data, population, disease prevalence and so forth.”

One big advantage of dealing with PAN is its efficiency.  PAN has created a secure portal for Providers and Specialty pharmacies that allows them to apply for grants online and get approval for patients immediately. They can manage multiple patients in one location, track claims online and keep accurate records of monies received and spent.  They can renew grant applications through the portal and really manage the process for the patient. And PAN response time is under one minute!

Niles comments,

“What is nice about our process is that the grant is approved in one minute or less. So whether you apply on the website or by phone or through the provider/specialty pharmacy portals, you will know immediately if you or your patient is approved or not. Everyone appreciates this. PAN has invested a lot in technologies and efficiencies over the years. We pride ourselves on our efficiency and can tell patients that 95% of every dollar received goes back to the patients. And we are constantly trying to be more efficient. We keep track of the latest treatments and medications. Our focus is to ensure that our disease funds are funded sufficiently so that we can take care of as many patients as possible.

There are far too many barriers out there for patients and PAN, through its work, wants to do its share in making it as easy as possible for patients. Through all of the technological advancements, we have not lost the “personal touch”. We have a very active call center where we take care of our patients on a one-on-one basis. Call Center representatives are there to answer patients’ questions, even if they do not directly relate to our grants.

When asked what the main obstacles are for obtaining assistance from PAN or any like organization, Niles explained that one issue is overall awareness. Patients often don’t know how or where to apply for assistance.

“It is a real challenge for patients to know where to turn when diagnosed with a serious illness. There is such a need for greater awareness about what is available. We are glad that there has been enormous growth in the number of patient advocates over the past several years. They can guide patients through the system to identify places they can turn to for financial and other assistance. They are a great resource.

Should patients who contact PAN not be approved for grants (because they fall outside our guidelines) we may refer them to an organization called NeedyMeds.org. NeedyMeds is an online clearing house of all sorts of patient assistance programs, that can help match patients’ needs with specific programs. This is important, as we don’t want any patients falling through the cracks.

And patients are appreciative. Just listen to this testimonial: 

TAGGED:PANpatient educationpatient empowermentpharma
Share This Article
Facebook Copy Link Print
Share

Stay Connected

1.5kFollowersLike
4.5kFollowersFollow
2.8kFollowersPin
136kSubscribersSubscribe

Latest News

engineer fitting prosthetic arm
How Social Security Disability Shapes Access to Care and Everyday Health
Health care
August 20, 2025
a woman explaining the document
How a DUI Lawyer Can Help When Your Future Health Feels Uncertain
Public Health
August 20, 2025
physiotherapist at work
How One Fall Can Lead to a Long Road of Medical Complications
Health care
August 20, 2025
Common Healthcare Accreditation Programs
7 Most Common Healthcare Accreditation Programs: Which Should You Use?
Health News
August 20, 2025

You Might also Like

Medical Advancement: 6 Things to Know About Your Body

March 21, 2016

Long Term Care Commission Report Falls Short

October 1, 2013

More Pharmaceutical Industry Consolidation: Thinning Out the Middle

March 5, 2015
kratom
News

Local Kratom Shopping: Tips & Tricks for Buying Near You

January 17, 2024
Subscribe
Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!
Follow US
© 2008-2025 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?