Multiple Sclerosis Co-Pay Relief Program Adds New Prescription Coverage

The Co-Pay Relief program offered through the Patient Advocate Foundation has added a new financial assistance fund to its collection of resources for patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). The new fund is now available to financially eligible MS patients with health insurance coverage to support the costs of necessary treatment medicines.

“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 the Patient Advocate Foundation, said in a press release.

According to The Multiple Sclerosis Association of America, nearly 400,000 people in the U.S. have multiple sclerosis, a demyelinating disease in which the insulating cover (called myelin) of nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord are damaged. This damage disrupts the ability of parts of the nervous system to communicate, resulting in a wide range of symptoms, including fatigue, balance issues, tremors, muscle weakness, numbness, vision loss, depression, and bowel and bladder control problems. MS affects differently each person with different levels of disease severity.

The Co-Pay Relief program was launched in 2004, and since has provided over $300 million in financial support to more than 158,000 patients, who otherwise might have been unable to afford their pharmaceutical co-payments, co-insurance, and/or deductibles.

The program offers individualized service through the enrollment process, as well as innovative technology tools for patients and their healthcare team.

Co-Pay Relief Multiple Sclerosis fund is now accepting applications from medically and financially qualified patients with Medicaid, Medicare, or military benefits. MS patients receiving approval are qualified for up to $8,000 in assistance support per award year through the program.

Those interested in applying can do so online through this link, or by contacting a Co-Pay Relief Application specialist at 866-512-3861. Pharmacies and healthcare providers can also apply on behalf of a MS patient using the pharmacy and provider application available on the website.