The PAN Foundation opens new sickle cell disease patient assistance fund

Washington, D.C., April 10, 2020—The PAN Foundation today opened a new patient assistance program for people living with sickle cell disease. Sickle cell disease is a group of inherited red blood cell disorders where the distorted red blood cells form a sickle or crescent shape and disrupt the normal flow of nutrition and oxygen throughout the body. It’s a chronic disease that affects the circulatory system.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 100,000 Americans are living with sickle cell disease.  

“Sickle cell disease is a lifelong illness that requires ongoing treatment and medical attention,” said PAN President and CEO Dan Klein. “Now, more than ever, is an especially difficult time for people managing underlying health conditions like sickle cell disease. In the face of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, we remain committed to reducing the financial burden of out-of-pocket costs for all patients, including those with sickle cell disease.”

Patients who qualify are eligible to receive $4,000 per year in financial assistance to pay for the deductibles, copays and coinsurance costs associated with their treatment for sickle cell disease.

Eligibility requirements

To get financial assistance for sickle cell disease, patients must:  

  • Be getting treatment for sickle cell disease.
  • Have Medicare health insurance that covers the qualifying medication or product.
  • Have an income that falls at or below 500% 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