PAN opens chronic kidney disease copay fund
The PAN Foundation has opened a financial assistance copay program designed to help with out-of-pocket medication costs for eligible Medicare patients living with chronic kidney disease (CKD).
PAN’s chronic kidney disease copay assistance program provides a grant of $2,350 for out-of-pocket expenses for covered medication. If patients need more assistance within the same 12-month period and the fund is open, they can apply for additional funding, receiving up to $4,700 total per year.
Chronic kidney disease is a long-term condition where the kidneys slowly lose their ability to filter waste and excess fluids from the blood, leading to potential health complications. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 1 in 7 adults in the U.S. have CKD, and as many as 9 in 10 don’t know they have it. Kidney diseases are a leading cause of death in the United States, and in 2022, treating Medicare beneficiaries with CKD cost $95.7 billion.
“Chronic kidney disease is a widespread disease affecting millions of people. Unfortunately, managing kidney disease isn’t just about medical care, but also dealing with the significant associated costs,” said Kevin L. Hagan, PAN’s President and CEO. “That’s why we’re excited to open this critical copay fund, thanks to the support of PAN’s generous donors, allowing us to ease the financial burden for those living with CKD. We are also proud to offer our patients additional support services through the National Kidney Foundation, one of our valued alliance partners.”
The National Kidney Foundation offers various resources, including advocacy, education, and research related to kidney health, including CKD. “Every effort to reduce the financial strain on kidney patients is a step in the right direction,” said Kevin Longino, CEO of the National Kidney Foundation. “We’re proud to partner with the PAN Foundation on this critical program and help patients access the financial, educational, and social support they need.”
The National Kidney Foundation offers various resources, including advocacy, education, and research related to kidney health, including CKD.
Eligibility requirements
To get copay assistance for CKD, patients must:
- Be receiving treatment for chronic kidney disease
- Reside and receive treatment in the United States or U.S. territories (U.S. citizenship is not a requirement)
- Have Medicare 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 400 percent of the federal poverty level
How to apply
You can apply online through the PAN portal or by phone. We encourage you to apply online through the PAN portal, but if you prefer 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
Connect with our alliance partner, the National Kidney Foundation
PAN partners with leading patient advocacy groups that help support the entire patient journey. Every patient who reaches out to PAN for financial assistance can request to connect with our alliance partner organizations, who will contact the patient directly to offer additional support and resources. Our CKD alliance partner, the National Kidney Foundation, can help patients through their work with patient and family education, advocating for policy changes, and funding research and innovation. Learn more at Kidney.org.
Sign up for FundFinder alerts
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 another organization. Learn more and sign up today.
Get information about clinical trials
Whether you have questions about the clinical trial process or need help using our TrialFinder tool to explore nearby trials, our helpful ComPANion Access Navigators are just a phone call away. They can answer your questions, equip you with conversation starters, assist you in finding trials, and help you sign up for trial alerts. Call us at 1-855-329-5969, Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. ET.
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 eligibility and learn more.
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.