PAN opens myelodysplastic syndromes fund

The PAN Foundation today reopened a financial assistance program for people living with myelodysplastic syndromes, providing up to $6,800 per year for eligible patients. 

Myelodysplastic syndromes, also known as MDS, are a group of rare blood diseases that can occur when the body does not make enough healthy blood cells, causing problems in the bone marrow. MDS is considered a type of cancer. According to the American Cancer Institute, the number of people diagnosed with MDS in the U.S. each year is estimated at around 10,000 but is not known for sure.

“The risk of an MDS diagnosis increases with age and is most common for people in their 70s. These should be the years of well-earned rest and relaxation, not worry about how to afford treating a rare and serious disease,” said Kevin L. Hagan, PAN’s President and CEO. “We were able to reopen this important fund thanks to the support of PAN’s generous donors, allowing us to once again ease the financial burden for those living with myelodysplastic syndromes.”

Patients who qualify are eligible to receive $6,800 per year in financial assistance to pay for the deductibles, copays, and coinsurance costs associated with their treatment for myelodysplastic syndromes.

Eligibility requirements

To get financial assistance for myelodysplastic syndromes, patients must:   

• Be getting treatment for myelodysplastic syndromes. 
• Have Medicare health insurance that covers the qualifying medication or product. 
• Take a medication or product listed on PAN’s list of covered medications. 
• Have an income that falls at or below 400 percent of the federal poverty level. 
• Reside and receive treatment in the United States or U.S. territories (U.S. citizenship is not a requirement.) 

How to apply

If you have previously applied for a PAN grant or joined one of our disease fund wait lists, you can apply online through the PAN portal or by phone. If not, please apply by phone. 

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

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 your eligibility to learn more. 

Connect with a patient support organization 

PAN recognizes that people with serious health conditions—and their families and caregivers—need support beyond financial assistance. That’s why we partner with more than 25 leading patient advocacy groups to connect people to communities that can offer support with the complex physical, emotional, and practical realities of life-threatening, chronic, and rare diseases. Learn more about our partners.  

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 more than 1.2 million underinsured patients with over $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.