The PAN Foundation opens new schizophrenia patient assistance fund 

The PAN Foundation announced today, a new program, which will help economically vulnerable people with schizophrenia pay for their medications. PAN is also launching a new partnership with the Schizophrenia & Psychosis Action Alliance, which will connect patients with essential support services.

With the launch of PAN’s Schizophrenia Assistance Program, qualifying patients receive a 12-month grant to help with out-of-pocket medication costs for schizophrenia treatment. These patients can also opt in to learn about resources offered by the Schizophrenia & Psychosis Action Alliance, a national organization that provides peer-based support programs and raises awareness about schizophrenia-related brain diseases. 

“There is very little charitable assistance available to support people diagnosed with a mental health condition, despite the considerable need. Schizophrenia is a treatable diagnosis, but medication is a daily essential, so prescription copay support can truly save lives,” said PAN Foundation President and CEO Dan Klein. “Mental health and schizophrenia continue to be surrounded by stigma, and we are proud to partner with the Schizophrenia & Psychosis Action Alliance and support their mission to see people living with schizophrenia treated with respect, compassion, and appropriate treatment.”

Schizophrenia is a serious mental illness that affects how a person thinks, feels, and behaves. It can be characterized by episodes in which the patient is unable to distinguish between real and unreal experiences. Approximately 2.8 million people in the United States are living with schizophrenia. Though there is no cure, medication can help manage and reduce future symptoms.

“A lack of treatment can lead to a variety of severe negative health outcomes, including reducing a patient’s life expectancy by more than 15 years,” said Schizophrenia & Psychosis Action Alliance CEO Gordon Lavigne. “We are pleased to partner with the PAN Foundation, giving patients the opportunity to connect with copay assistance for their vital medications, as well as our support groups and other resources.”

Patients who qualify for PAN’s Schizophrenia Assistance Program are eligible to receive $3,100 per year in financial assistance to pay for the deductibles, copays, and coinsurance costs associated with their treatment for schizophrenia.  

Eligibility requirements  
To get financial assistance for schizophrenia, patients must:    

• Be getting treatment for schizophrenia.  
• Have Medicare health insurance that covers the qualifying medication or product.   
• Have an income that falls at or below 400% of the Federal Poverty Level.   
   

How to apply  
Patients or caregivers applying on their behalf can apply for assistance using the PAN Foundation’s online patient portal. To apply on behalf of a patient, providers can use the provider portal, while pharmacists can use the pharmacy portal.  A series of how-to guides are also available for the patient portal, including common tasks like creating an account and applying for assistance online.  PAN grant recipients may also qualify for transportation assistance to allow them to get to doctor’s appointments and pharmacy visits. Learn more, here.

About the PAN Foundation 
The PAN Foundation is an independent, national 501 (c)(3) organization dedicated to helping federally and commercially insured people living with life-threatening, chronic, and rare diseases with the out-of-pocket costs for their prescribed medications. 

Since 2004, we have provided nearly 1 million underinsured patients with $4 billion in financial assistance. Partnering with generous donors, healthcare providers and pharmacies, we provide the underinsured population access to the healthcare treatments they need to best manage their conditions and focus on improving their quality of life. Learn more at panfoundation.org. 

About the Schizophrenia & Psychosis Action Alliance
Schizophrenia & Psychosis Action Alliance is on a mission to save lives by changing the treatment paradigm for all people affected by schizophrenia-related brain diseases which involve psychosis. We stand for hope and recovery by promoting peer-based support programs, accelerating scientific research, identifying effective treatments, and promoting productive public policies.

We envision a day when the reclassification of schizophrenia as a neurological brain disease allows every person living with this condition to receive respect, appropriate treatment, and an opportunity to live a meaningful life in a compassionate community free from discrimination. Our organization has a proud history of serving as a guide point for those living with schizophrenia and psychosis, and we work every day to provide the right resources, support, and awareness. Learn more at sczaction.org.

MEDIA CONTACT

Liz Eckert, Senior Director of Marketing and Communications
Email: leckert@panfoundation.org