The Assistance Fund: When Copays Drop to Zero
The scariest bills often arrive after treatment starts. You’re doing everything right—showing up, following the plan—and suddenly the copays alone feel impossible. This is where The Assistance Fund (TAF) can be a game-changer for some cancer patients.
I’ve watched TAF quietly erase thousands of dollars in out-of-pocket costs for people who thought they were out of options. Here’s how it actually works—and how to give yourself the best shot.
What The Assistance Fund (TAF) Is
TAF is a national nonprofit that helps insured patients pay copays, coinsurance, and sometimes premiums for specific diseases and treatments. In some cases, patients pay nothing out of pocket for the year.
TAF doesn’t replace insurance. It fills the gaps insurance leaves behind
Target Audience Analysis_ Evolv…
.
Cancers and Treatments TAF Covers
TAF runs disease-specific funds, not general cancer funds. Coverage changes often, but common oncology funds include:
Breast cancer
Lung cancer (including small cell)
Prostate cancer
Pancreatic cancer
Blood cancers (lymphoma, myeloma, leukemia)
Each fund is tied to FDA-approved treatments for that diagnosis.
Income Eligibility (This Matters)
Most TAF oncology funds cap income at 400–500% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL).
That means many middle-income families still qualify—especially after income drops during treatment.
Medicare vs. Commercial Insurance Rules
TAF works with:
Medicare
Commercial/private insurance
Marketplace plans
Important nuance:
Medicare patients cannot use drug manufacturer copay cards—but TAF is allowed.
Commercial insurance patients may use TAF instead of or alongside other assistance.
What Expenses Are Covered
Depending on the fund, TAF may cover:
Treatment copays and coinsurance
Specialty medication costs
Insurance premiums (some funds)
TAF typically pays providers or pharmacies directly.
Application Walkthrough (Plain English)
Create a TAF account (online or by phone)
Select your exact diagnosis fund
Upload proof of income and insurance
Submit—then wait for confirmation
When approved, coverage usually lasts 12 months or until funds are exhausted.
Why Funds Open and Close Suddenly
TAF funds are first-come, first-served and depend on donations. A fund can:
Open at 9:00 a.m.
Close by noon
This is normal. It’s not personal.
How to Get Approved Faster
These strategies matter:
Create your account before funds open
Upload documents in advance
Apply the same day a fund opens
Ask your clinic social worker to help submit
Speed beats perfection here.
Common Reasons for Denial
Wrong diagnosis selected
Income slightly over the limit
Treatment not on the approved list
Fund closed before submission completed
Most denials are technical—not final.
How to Monitor Fund Availability
Sign up for TAF email alerts
Check early mornings and first business days of the month
Ask your care team which funds reopen regularly
Persistence wins.
Your Takeaway
TAF won’t help everyone—but when it does, it can wipe out thousands in costs and restore breathing room when you need it most.
If this feels overwhelming, that’s normal. These systems weren’t built for people in treatment. You don’t have to navigate them alone.
If you want help figuring out whether TAF—or another copay foundation—is right for you, that’s exactly the work we do every day at Evolvv Health.
