PAN Foundation: One of the Most Powerful Copay Programs

If you’ve ever stared at a pharmacy receipt and thought, “How is this even legal?”—you’re not alone.
For many cancer patients, copays are one of the most crushing and least talked-about costs of treatment. That’s where the PAN Foundation (Patient Access Network Foundation) comes in.

This is one of the most powerful copay assistance programs in the U.S., and yet most patients hear about it way too late.

Let’s change that.

What the PAN Foundation Is (and Why It Matters)

The PAN Foundation is a national nonprofit that helps insured patients pay for out-of-pocket costs related to serious and chronic illnesses, including many cancers.

They don’t cover everything—but when they’re open, they can cover thousands of dollars per year in copays, coinsurance, and deductibles for treatment-related medications.

For many patients, PAN is the difference between:

• Taking meds as prescribed

• Or skipping doses to save money

Cancers Commonly Covered

PAN operates disease-specific funds, not one general cancer fund.

Commonly covered cancers include:

• Breast cancer (including metastatic)

• Prostate cancer

• Lung cancer (multiple subtypes)

• Pancreatic cancer

• Colorectal cancer

• Leukemia, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma

• Ovarian and other gynecologic cancers

Coverage changes constantly based on funding, so checking regularly matters.

Grant Amount Ranges (Realistic Expectations)

PAN grants typically range from:

• $3,000 to $11,000+ per year, depending on the cancer type and fund

That money can usually be used for:

• Medication copays

• Coinsurance

• Deductibles related to covered treatments

Funds are paid directly to pharmacies or providers, not to you.

Income Limits (Simplified)

PAN uses income limits based on the Federal Poverty Level (FPL).

Most cancer funds allow:

• Up to 400–500% of FPL

That means many middle-income households still qualify—especially after income drops during treatment.

Important note:

• Household income matters

• Assets usually do not

Medicare-Specific Benefits (Huge Win)

PAN is especially powerful for patients on Medicare.

Why?

• Medicare patients cannot use manufacturer copay cards

• PAN fills that exact gap

If you’re on Medicare and struggling with drug costs, PAN should be one of the first places you check.

How to Apply (Step by Step)

1. Go to panfoundation.org

2. Search by your cancer type

3. Confirm the fund is OPEN

4. Apply online or by phone

5. Have ready:

   • Diagnosis info

   • Insurance details

   • Household income

Approval can happen quickly—sometimes same day.

Timing Strategies That Matter

This is critical: PAN funds open and close fast.

Smart strategies:

• Check fund status early in the month

• Apply immediately when a fund opens

• Ask your oncology social worker or specialty pharmacy to help monitor openings

Waiting even a few days can mean missing out.

Re-Enrollment Tips (Don’t Miss This)

Most PAN grants last 12 months.

Before your grant ends:

• Mark your calendar

• Watch for re-enrollment windows

• Reapply early if the fund reopens

Many patients lose coverage simply because they didn’t reapply in time.

What If the Fund Is Closed?

If your fund is closed:

• Get on email alerts

• Check similar foundations (HealthWell, Good Days, CancerCare)

• Stack support while you wait (see below)

Closed doesn’t mean gone forever—it usually means temporarily empty.

How to Stack PAN With Other Aid

PAN works best when combined with:

• Other copay foundations

• Hospital financial assistance

• Manufacturer patient assistance (if not on Medicare)

• Grants for living expenses

This layered approach can reduce your total out-of-pocket costs dramatically.

Final Thought

The PAN Foundation is one of the most underused lifelines in cancer care.

It won’t fix everything—but when it’s available, it can take a massive financial weight off your shoulders.

And when you’re fighting cancer, that relief matters more than most people realize.