Removing Expense Barrier Leads to Higher Compliance with Medical Regimen
WASHINGTON, July 21 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Patients receiving copayment assistance from Patient Access Network (PAN) Foundation reported a striking 35 percent increase in their ability to comply with their prescribed medical regimen. Noncompliance is one of the major reasons for failure of medical therapy and disease progression.
The results were part of a 2010 patient survey to determine the barriers to complying with treatment, the understanding of healthcare reform, and the impact of PAN assistance on patients' lives. PAN helps insured individuals make copayments for medications for 27 specific diseases, including certain cancers and a number of chronic illnesses.
"Our patients do have health insurance; many have Medicare, and yet they still can't comply with their treatment because of high out-of-pocket costs," said Julie Reynes, PAN President.
Patients supported some components of healthcare reform, such as closing the doughnut hole, helping patients with pre-existing conditions, and removing annual or lifetime insurance caps; however many patients showed considerable confusion with the bill as a whole. When patients were asked if they support healthcare reform, 48 percent said they are not sure, 28 percent said yes and 25 percent said no. Reynes also said that healthcare reform will likely increase the number of underinsured patients.
Patients said that PAN's copayment assistance reduced family financial and emotional strain. It also improved their overall health and ability to take medications as prescribed, enabling them to return to work or education.
Additionally, PAN enjoys a patient satisfaction rate of 98%. Patients say that PAN's professional case managers at the call center are compassionate and helpful. A survey summary and more information is available on the PAN Web site: www.PANfoundation.org.
PAN is a nonprofit foundation that provides copayment assistance to insured patients who otherwise lack the means to meet out-of-pocket medication costs for specific diseases. Since 2004, PAN has helped more than 80,000 patients across the United States and U.S. territories. PAN can be reached through the Web or toll-free at 866-316-7263, with Spanish available.
SOURCE Patient Access Network Foundation
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