Dr. Alan J. Balch, CEO, Patient Advocacy Foundation | Incoming Executive Chairman of the Patient Advocacy Foundation Board of Directors
Kevin L. Hagan, PAN Foundation President and CEO | Patient Advocacy Foundation, CEO-Elect
The need for support has never been greater as patients across the country face increasing barriers to care, increasing affordability challenges, and weakening health care safety nets. That’s why we are pleased to announce the strategic merger of the Patient Advocacy Foundation and the PAN Foundation to create the nation’s most comprehensive nonprofit organization dedicated to helping patients receive, access, and afford care.
For a combined 50 years, we have helped 3.8 million patients access and navigate care, provided more than $7 billion in financial assistance, and provided personalized case management support to more than 350,000 patients. By coming together for our patients, we make it easier for them to obtain financial assistance, navigate the health care system, and overcome barriers to treatment. Everything is in one place, reducing complexity of the process for patients, caregivers, and healthcare professionals.
Merger that fits the times
A recent cross-sectional survey of Medicare patients supported by the Patient Advocacy Foundation or PAN Foundation in 2025 found that most patients experienced a small or significant increase in costs related to health insurance premiums (71%), direct care from a health care provider (59%), and prescription drugs (58%) in the past 12 months. Additionally, 53% reported that they would be somewhat or very likely to reduce, reduce, or stop taking their medication if costs increased. Another poll found that 86% of insured people want policymakers to prioritize health care affordability, reporting that out-of-pocket prescription and health insurance premium costs are their biggest affordability concern.
The growing affordability challenge among Americans is also reflected in the fact that enrollment in financial aid programs increased by 15% in 2025. And a new analysis found that among Medicare enrollees, the abandonment rate for expensive treatments fell from 58% among patients without foundation support to just 5% among patients with foundation support. It is clear that the need for the support of philanthropic foundations is growing, and the impact we have on medication adherence and access to care is significant.
make patients’ lives easier
As an integrated organization, we bring together all of our current programs and resources in one place, including financial assistance funds, individualized case management services, award-winning education, patient advocacy and engagement programs, rigorous research, health equity initiatives, and community engagement activities.
By providing a single, trusted destination for people seeking support, regardless of insurance status, age, income, or diagnosis, we make it easier for patients and families to get the support they need, when they need it.
What this means for patients enrolled in financial aid
We are committed to a seamless transition. We will continue to offer our current financial assistance programs (PAF Copay Relief Program and PAN Financial Assistance Program) to new and existing patients through June 2026. Patients currently enrolled in these programs will not see any changes to their funding and will continue to access services through their current organization.
Starting in July, we will launch an integrated financial assistance program known as TotalAssist, the most patient-centered program in the charitable aid field. This program is available to all new and renewal registrations. Meanwhile, we will continue to support existing patients through PAF’s copay relief program and PAN’s financial assistance program until the end of the benefit period.
Introducing the TotalAssist program
Under TotalAssist, we offer more than 130 disease-specific financial assistance funds for chronic and rare diseases, creating the largest portfolio of financial assistance programs in the country. This includes more than 20 health equity funds that specifically support communities with the greatest social and financial needs.
Through TotalAssist, we put the power back in the hands of patients, giving them access to funding for comprehensive needs such as:
- Copays, coinsurance, and deductibles for drug costs
- health insurance premium
- Visit fee on the day of treatment
- Administrative fees related to treatment
It is designed to meet patients’ actual needs and reduce financial barriers to treatment. TotalAssist also helps simplify the patient journey by offering first-come, first-served enrollment (no waiting lists), real-time funding notifications, dedicated patient support, a six-month lookback period, an easy-to-use self-service portal, instant eligibility determination, and timely claims processing.
What’s next for the Patient Advocacy Foundation?
We are focused on continuing to provide seamless and compliant service to patients from across the country through our respective programs and services. At the same time, we are carefully preparing for the launch later this summer of TotalAssist, the most patient-centric program in the field.
We know we are needed now more than ever as more people struggle to pay for care and basic needs, manage chronic conditions and navigate complex health systems.
And we’re excited about what’s to come. As a unified foundation, we look forward to expanding services, simplifying access, and reaching millions more Americans facing a growing health care access and affordability crisis. More information about our strategic merger and ongoing updates can be found at Uniting.PatientAdvocate.org.
