World's First Psoriatic Disease Patient Navigation Center Now Open

PORTLAND, Ore., Feb. 1, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- With the goal of providing personal and direct service to patients managing the vast range of issues related to psoriatic disease, the National Psoriasis Foundation (NPF) has opened the world's first psoriatic disease Patient Navigation Center.

Open to all people with psoriatic disease, the Navigation Center fills a critical gap by providing direct assistance to patients, their families and caregivers. Whether it is answering one question or providing on-going support through a particular issue or crisis, a staff of health advocates will work one-on-one with patients to help them secure the right care, medications and therapies needed to best treat and manage their disease.

"Treating and managing psoriatic disease can be a frustrating process. Often times the disease is misdiagnosed, or patients cannot access or afford the level of care needed to treat their disease accordingly," said National Psoriasis Foundation President and CEO Randy Beranek. "The Patient Navigation Center was created as a resource to help people find doctors that understand the disease, and help people through the process of treating and managing their condition at the appropriate level so they can live fully with psoriatic disease."

Open during business hours, and accessible via phone, text, email, instant message and Skype, a staff of specially trained health advocates are available to assist patients to identify symptoms and treatment options, prepare for medical appointments, find appropriate health care providers, obtain prescribed therapies, negotiate medical bills and financial assistance and address other inquiries. Go to www.psoriasis.org/navigationcenter to access the Navigation Center contact information.

In 2014, NPF launched an aggressive five-year strategic plan centered on dramatically improving the health of people living with psoriatic disease. By 2019, NPF will cut in half the number of people who report their condition is a problem in everyday life; increase by 50 percent the number of people receiving the right treatment; and double the number of health care providers effectively managing patients with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.

To accomplish its ambitious plan, NPF has launched several projects, like the Navigation Center, to help people with psoriatic disease effectively treat and manage their condition.

The information and services provided by the Navigation Center are not a substitute for the consultation and care of health care professionals. The Navigation Center will not provide any diagnosis or medical services. It is intended to be used in conjunction with the care provided by patients' doctors.

About the National Psoriasis Foundation
National Psoriasis Foundation (NPF) is the world's largest nonprofit dedicated to people with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. Our priority is to provide the services people need to take control of their condition, while increasing research to find a cure. In addition to serving more than 2.1 million people annually through our health education and advocacy initiatives, NPF has funded more than $13 million in research grants and fellowships. Learn more about the Psoriasis Foundation at www.psoriasis.org or call 800-723-9166. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

SOURCE National Psoriasis Foundation

Related Links

http://www.psoriasis.org