Financial aid nonprofits merge to do more for patients feeling pinched by medical bills on top of overall inflation
Two medical charities that last year gave $640 million to 200,000 struggling Americans are combining forces so they can expand their collective wherewithal.
Noting a 15% spike in requests for help paying medical bills in 2025, the Patient Advocate Foundation (PAF) and Patient Access Network (PAN) Foundation announced the merger March 3.
The combined entity will continue using the name Patient Advocate Foundation.
It will use its newly broadened base of expertise to help lower-income patients afford copays, appeal insurance denials, maximize access to diagnostic and treatment services, and generally navigate the healthcare system.
Other non-financial support services carrying over include case management, educational offerings, advocacy initiatives, research activities and community engagement.
The PAF cites as additional reasons for the merger such factors as contractions in Medicaid coverage, hikes in insurance premiums and protracted cost-of-living challenges related to inflation.
Key executives set to take on bigger duties
Nancy Davenport-Ennis, founder of the 30-year-old Patient Advocate Foundation, suggests the consolidation is something of a strategic no-brainer at this point in PAF’s history.
“This merger allows us to amplify our case management and financial aid services while uniting our mutual engagement in reforming state and federal healthcare programs and services through our research initiatives,” she says. “Each of these steps builds on our initial mission to assure that no patient faces their illness alone trying to navigate today’s complex healthcare delivery system.”
PAF chief executive Alan Balch, PhD, will serve as the merged organization’s board chair as of July 1.
PAN Foundation president and CEO Kevin Hagan will be the “new” PAF’s chief exec, also beginning July 1.
Expanded assistance program coming this summer
Integration planning is underway to ensure seamless continuity for patients, providers and supporters, according to the announcement.
Further, a combined comprehensive charitable patient assistance program called TotalAssist will begin enrolling patients in July 2026.
The Wall Street Journal reports the new PAF will start with more than $800 million in assets.
Dave P. has worked in journalism, marketing and public relations for more than 30 years, frequently concentrating on hospitals, healthcare technology and Catholic communications. He has also specialized in fundraising communications, ghostwriting for CEOs of local, national and global charities, nonprofits and foundations.