Co-Pay Relief Help Now Available for Multiple Sclerosis Patients

HAMPTON, Va., Feb. 8, 2016 -- Patient Advocate Foundation's Co-Pay Relief program has added new financial aid support to their portfolio of copayment assistance funds to assist patients diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). The new fund is available to insured and financially qualified patients living with MS to help patients afford the costs of their pharmaceutical products associated with treatment.

"Our case management department has been supporting those living with MS for years, and our data shows that medication copayments connected with chronic disease can create significant financial burden for patients and their families. This program will provide MS patients with critical financial assistance that will help them get and stay on the treatment recommended by their prescribing physician," Alan Balch, PhD, Chief Executive Officer at PAF says.

The Multiple Sclerosis Association of America estimates there are around 400,000 Americans currently living with the disease. Multiple sclerosis is a neurological disorder that disrupts the flow of information between the brain and the body, resulting in a multitude of symptoms that vary widely from person to person. Common multiple sclerosis symptoms include fatigue, muscle weakness, balance issues, vision loss, numbness, tremors, and depression, as well as bladder and bowel control issues. Each person experiences the chronic illness differently with different levels of severity.

The Co-Pay Relief Multiple Sclerosis fund is accepting applications from financially and medically qualified patients with Medicare, Medicaid, or Military benefits beginning February 8th, 2016. Approved patients are eligible for up to $8,000 in fully guaranteed assistance per award year through the program. Those interested in applying for help can apply online using the CPR secure online application by visiting www.copays.org/diseases/multiplesclerosis or by contacting a Co-Pay Relief Application Specialist at 1-866-512-3861 for assistance. Providers and pharmacies can also submit an application on behalf of a patient using the provider and pharmacy application on the website.

About the Patient Advocate Foundation (PAF) Co-Pay Relief Program (CPR):

The Co-Pay Relief Program, a division of Patient Advocate Foundation, provides direct financial support for pharmaceutical co-payments to insured patients who financially and medically qualify.

Since PAF's Co-Pay Relief program was launched in 2004, it has provided more than $300 million in financial assistance to more than 158,000 patients who would have been otherwise unable to afford their pharmaceutical co-payments, co-insurance and/or deductibles.

The program offers all applicants an instant eligibility determination the day they apply for assistance to ensure there is no delay in accessing prescribed care. This feature, combined with innovative technology tools for patients, providers and pharmacy representatives including 24 hour web based application portals, electronic signature, document upload and bar code fax routing capabilities, enables patients, and their care team, to access assistance when its needed most. Keeping with Patient Advocate Foundation's emphasis on excellent patient service, the program also offers individualized service to all patients through the use of Approval Specialists, personally guiding them through the enrollment process.

For more information or to contact Patient Advocate Foundation's Co-Pay Relief program visit www.copays.org or call 1-866-512-3861.

CONTACT: Erin Singleton, 757-952-0561
         Chief of Mission Delivery, 
         Patient Advocate Foundation