ORLANDO, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Assistance Fund, an independent charitable patient assistance foundation that helps patients and families facing high medical out-of-pocket costs, today announced that it will provide financial support for patients with Hepatitis C through its Copay Assistance Program. The Hepatitis C Copay Assistance Program offers eligible patients financial aid for copays, coinsurance and deductibles for FDA-approved prescription medications.
“The Assistance Fund is pleased to be able to provide much-needed financial support for patients diagnosed with Hepatitis C,” said Mark P. McGreevy, President, The Assistance Fund. “Treatment options for chronic Hepatitis C have evolved greatly in recent years, but many still lack access to these medications due to financial barriers. It’s critical that patients be able to receive these new treatments regardless of their ability to pay.”
Hepatitis C, one of several hepatitis viruses, is a disease of the liver that affects an estimated 2.7-3.9 million Americans.1 While some patients have acute Hepatitis C, which goes away on its own after a few months, most suffer from chronic (long-term) Hepatitis C. The disease shows few or no signs in the early stages, and many don’t realize they have it until they have sustained liver damage for years or even decades. If left untreated, Hepatitis C can cause serious health problems for the liver, including cirrhosis, liver cancer and liver failure.2
“At The Assistance Fund, our focus is ensuring that patients who have been prescribed Hepatitis C treatments by their medical teams do not face a financial barrier to access,” said Gerald Lauria, Vice President of Business Development and Strategic Initiatives, The Assistance Fund. “The Hepatitis C Copay Assistance Program will provide crucial support to patients who may otherwise struggle to afford treatment.”
Individuals interested in learning more or determining their eligibility for assistance should visit tafcares.org or call 855.730.5873 to speak with a patient advocate.
A list of all the funds available at The Assistance Fund can be found at tafcares.org/patients/apply. New funds can open and close at any time as funds are allocated to patients in need of assistance and new funds become available. We encourage patients to frequently check the status of the fund for their disease area if they are seeking financial assistance.
About The Assistance Fund
The Assistance Fund is an independent charitable patient assistance foundation that helps patients and families facing high medical out-of-pocket costs by providing financial assistance for their copayments, coinsurance, deductibles and other health-related expenses. The Assistance Fund currently manages more than 30 funds – each of which covers the FDA-approved medications that treat a specific disease. Since its founding in 2009, The Assistance Fund has helped more than 43,000 adults and children access the medicines they need to stay healthy or manage a chronic condition. To learn more about The Assistance Fund, or for information on how to donate, please visit tafcares.org.
References
1. “Hepatitis C FAQs for Health Professionals.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 2016, December. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/hcv/hcvfaq.htm.
2. “Hep C 123.” American Liver Foundation. 2016, December. Retrieved from http://hepc.liverfoundation.org/what-is-hepatitis-c/.
