February 9, 2017

Patient Access Network Foundation and Multiple Sclerosis Association of America announce new alliance to provide support for people living with multiple sclerosis

For immediate release

PAN Foundation contact:

Margaret Figley, Director of Communications

Washington, DC, (February 9, 2017) – The Patient Access Network (PAN) Foundation and Multiple Sclerosis Association of America (MSAA) today announced they are launching a new alliance to offer a broad range of support for people living with multiple sclerosis (MS). Working together, the PAN Foundation and MSAA will ensure that people living with multiple sclerosis have access to both financial and patient support services, providing them with the holistic support needed to best manage their disease.

“While our work at PAN centers on alleviating the financial hardship for patients and families who face diseases like multiple sclerosis, we recognize that financial assistance is only one piece of the puzzle,” said PAN President and CEO Dan Klein. “In partnering with MSAA, we can connect patients to additional services and resources, including educational programs, safety and mobility equipment, cooling products, MRI funding, and technology and tools that can help them achieve healthier outcomes.”

According to MSAA, multiple sclerosis is a disease of the central nervous system, which consists of the brain, optic nerves and spinal cord. MS damages or destroys the protective covering surrounding the nerves of the central nervous system and can potentially injure the nerves themselves. This damage causes reduced communication between the brain and nerve pathways. An estimated 2.5 million people worldwide are living with MS.

“We are excited that our new alliance with PAN will allow MSAA to expand the services we provide to more people living with MS,” said MSAA President and CEO Gina Ross Murdoch. “An MS diagnosis can be overwhelming not only for the individuals who are diagnosed, but also for their loved ones. Our partnership with PAN will mitigate some of the financial pressures so that patients can focus on how to best manage their disease.”

Patients who qualify for the PAN Foundation’s multiple sclerosis program are eligible to receive up to $8,000 per year in financial assistance. Eligible patients must be getting treatment for MS; must reside and receive treatment in the United States; must have Medicare health insurance; and the medication for which they seek assistance must be covered by Medicare and must treat the disease directly. In addition, patients must fall at or below 500 percent of the Federal Poverty Level.

Patients, or advocates and caregivers applying on their behalf, can apply for assistance using the PAN Foundation’s online patient portal (www.panapply.org), or by calling 1-866-316-7263, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday. To learn more about PAN’s more than 50 disease-specific programs, visit panfoundation.org.

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 $2.5 billion in financial assistance to more than 700,000 patients who would otherwise be unable to afford their medications. To learn more, visit www.panfoundation.org.

About the Multiple Sclerosis Association of America:

The Multiple Sclerosis Association of America (MSAA) is a national nonprofit organization and leading resource for the entire MS community, improving lives today through vital services and support. MSAA provides free programs and services, such as: a Helpline with trained specialists; award-winning publications, including MSAA’s magazine, The Motivator; MSAA’s nationally recognized website (at mymsaa.org), featuring award-winning educational videos and research updates; S.E.A.R.C.H.™ program to assist the MS community with learning about different treatment choices; a mobile phone app, My MS Manager™ (named one of the best multiple sclerosis iPhone & Android apps by Healthline.com); a resource database, My MS Resource Locator®; safety and mobility equipment distribution; cooling accessories for heat-sensitive individuals; educational programs held across the country; MRI funding; My MSAA Community, a peer-to-peer online support forum; and more. For additional information, please visit www.mymsaa.org or call (800) 532-7667.