Patient Access Network Foundation and Prevent Blindness announce new alliance to provide support for people living with eye health concerns
For immediate release
PAN Foundation contact:
Margaret Figley, Director of Communications
Phone: 202-661-8074
E-mail: mfigley@panfoundation.org
Prevent Blindness contact:
Sarah Hecker, Director of Media Relations
Phone: 312-363-6035
E-mail: shecker@preventblindness.org
Washington, DC, (March 22, 2016) – The Patient Access Network (PAN) Foundation and Prevent Blindness today announced that they are launching a new alliance to offer holistic support for people living with retinal vein occlusion, macular disease and uveitis. The alliance will enable the organizations to leverage the PAN Foundation’s eye health financial assistance programs and patient resources of Prevent Blindness to ensure patients have access to the services and support they need to best manage their disease.
“At PAN, we aim to ensure that underinsured patients can access the treatments they need, and that doesn’t stop at just helping with their deductibles and co-pays,” said PAN Foundation President and CEO Dan Klein. “In partnering with Prevent Blindness, we can offer these patients more by connecting them with programs, educational resources and a supportive community that understands their needs.”
Both retinal vein occlusion and uveitis can lead to slightly reduced vision or severe vision loss. According to the National Institutes of Health, age-related macular degeneration is a leading cause of vision loss in the United States.
“As the nation’s leading volunteer eye health and safety organization dedicated to fighting blindness and saving sight, one of our priorities at Prevent Blindness is to improve the quality of life for those with eye health issues,” said Prevent Blindness President and CEO Hugh Parry. “PAN’s support will help us do just that, and we are thrilled to offer this additional value to Americans living with eye issues.”
Patients who qualify for the PAN Foundation’s eye health programs must reside and receive treatment in the United States, must have health insurance and the medication for which they seek assistance must be covered by their insurance and treat the disease directly. See below for specific program information:
*Patients must have Medicare insurance.
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-PANF (7263), 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern Standard 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 $1 billion in financial assistance to more than half a million patients who would otherwise be unable to afford their medications. To learn more, visit panfoundation.org.
About Prevent Blindness:
Founded in 1908, Prevent Blindness is the nation’s leading volunteer eye health and safety organization dedicated to fighting blindness and saving sight. Focused on promoting a continuum of vision care, Prevent Blindness touches the lives of millions of people each year through public and professional education, advocacy, certified vision screening and training, community and patient service programs and research. These services are made possible through the generous support of the American public. Together with a network of affiliates, Prevent Blindness is committed to eliminating preventable blindness in America. For more information, or to make a contribution to the sight-saving fund, call (800) 331-2020. Or, visit us on the Web at preventblindness.org or facebook.com/preventblindness.