The PAN Foundation opens new pancreatic cancer patient assistance fund

The PAN Foundation today opened a new patient assistance program for people living with pancreatic cancer. Pancreatic cancer is a cancer of the pancreas that affects the gastrointestinal system.

The National Cancer Institute estimates that 57,600 people in the U.S. will be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2020, representing about three percent of all cancers nationwide. The American Cancer Society notes that many people with pancreatic cancer go undiagnosed until the cancer begins to spread to other parts of the body, often requiring patients to undergo multiple types of treatment.

“For patients who have been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, particularly those on Medicare, the associated out-of-pocket costs with their treatment are a major concern, causing some patients to delay or abandon the therapies they need,” said PAN President and CEO Dan Klein.

“Since pancreatic cancer is difficult to detect until it has grown or spread to other organs, time is of the essence: patients simply can’t afford any delay in starting treatment. We hope this assistance fund allows people living with pancreatic cancer to focus on their treatment, and not the price tag.”

Patients who qualify are eligible to receive $11,300 per year in financial assistance to pay for the deductibles, copays, and coinsurance costs associated with their treatment for pancreatic cancer.

Eligibility requirements
To get financial assistance for pancreatic cancer, patients must: 

• Be getting treatment for pancreatic cancer.
• 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, caregivers or advocates applying on their behalf can apply for assistance using the PAN Foundation’s online patient portal, or by calling 1-866-316-7263, 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday.

About the PAN Foundation
The PAN Foundation is an independent, nationwide 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to providing help and hope to underinsured patients who are unable to afford the out-of-pocket expenses for their prescribed medications. Since 2004, PAN has provided over $3 billion in financial assistance to nearly 1 million patients who would otherwise be unable to afford their medications. To learn more, visit www.panfoundation.org

MEDIA CONTACT

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