The PAN Foundation opens first obesity copay fund to expand access to treatment
The PAN Foundation today opened the first copay program for underinsured patients living with obesity offered by a charitable patient assistance foundation. The obesity copay fund is designed to help with the out-of-pocket medication costs for eligible patients and provides up to $1,000 per year in funding for covered obesity treatment.
Obesity is a chronic medical condition characterized by excess body fat. The cause of obesity varies and could include genetics, dietary/lifestyle behaviors, or environmental factors.
Obesity can lead to other health issues such as heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, obstructive sleep apnea, high blood cholesterol, and certain types of cancer. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that there are over 100 million adults in the U.S. who are living with obesity and complications that can be associated with it.
“With obesity rates continuing to rise in the United States—and recognizing the impacts it can have on one’s health—we are proud to be the first charitable patient assistance foundation to support people living with this chronic condition to access their treatments,” said Kevin L. Hagan, PAN’s President and CEO. “We are also working to increase healthcare access and affordability for people living with obesity by calling on the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to cover treatments for obesity for patients enrolled in Medicare. This includes the GLP-1 class of medications, which are FDA-approved.”
According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, about half (54 percent) of all adults who have taken GLP-1 drugs say it was difficult to afford the cost, including 22 percent who say it was ‘very difficult.’ And while most insured adults who have taken these drugs say their insurance covered at least part of the cost, even among insured adults about half (53 percent) say the cost was difficult to afford.
Patients who qualify for the copay program are eligible to receive up to $1,000 in financial assistance to pay for the deductibles, copays, and coinsurance costs associated with their treatment for obesity. If patients need more assistance within the same 12-month period, they can apply for additional funding if the disease fund is open, and funding is available.
Eligibility requirements
To get copay assistance for obesity, patients must:
- Be receiving treatment for obesity
- Reside and receive treatment in the United States or U.S. territories (U.S. citizenship is not a requirement)
- Have insurance that covers the qualifying medication or product
- Take a medication or product listed on PAN’s comprehensive list of covered medications
- Have a household income that falls at or below 300 percent of the federal poverty level
How to apply
You can apply online for the obesity copay fund 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 through the PAN portal or by phone on behalf of their patients.
Other patient support services at PAN
Apply for a transportation grant
PAN grant recipients may also qualify for transportation assistance to allow them to get to and from activities that improve their overall health outcomes, including healthcare services, social connection and support, and more. Check your eligibility to learn more.
Connect with a patient support organization
PAN recognizes that people with serious health conditions—and their families and caregivers—need support beyond financial assistance. That’s why we partner with more than 25 leading patient advocacy groups to connect people to communities that can offer support with the complex physical, emotional, and practical realities of life-threatening, chronic, and rare diseases. Learn more about our partners.
Sign up for FundFinder
Developed by the PAN Foundation, FundFinder is a free website that helps you track more than 200 patient assistance funds from nine charitable organizations. You can sign up for free email or text alerts when a disease assistance fund you’re interested in opens at PAN or other organization. Learn more and sign up today.
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Whether you have questions about the clinical trial process or need help using our trial finder to explore nearby options, our warm and knowledgeable ComPANions are just a phone call away. They can help you with general clinical trial education, answer your questions, equip you with conversation starters, assist you in finding trials, and help you sign up for trial alerts. Call our ComPANions toll-free at 1-855-329-5969 Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. ET.
About the PAN Foundation
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, 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’ve 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’re committed to working towards a future where equitable health outcomes are a reality for all. Learn more at panfoundation.org.