Co-Pay Relief Program Unveils New Financial Assistance for Patients with HIV, AIDS or Those Being Treated to Prevent the HIV Virus

HAMPTON, Va., Sept. 28, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimate there are 1.2 million people living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) in the United States today, as well as nearly 50,000 new diagnoses yearly, with certain populations being adversely affected. Reaffirming Patient Advocate Foundation's (PAF) commitment to improving health access to patients nationwide, the Co-Pay Relief program is pleased to announce the launch of a new HIV and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) treatment and prevention fund available immediately to financially qualified, insured patients.

"We understand the financial challenges faced by those who have already been diagnosed with HIV or AIDS, and are grateful to have this opportunity to provide assistance that reduces their financial burden," Fran Castellow, MsED., President of Operations at PAF says. The CDC estimates a patient's lifetime HIV treatment costs were $367,134, with an annual cost of over $20,000 in care. Patients diagnosed with HIV and AIDS are seeing increased out-of-pocket costs and insurance co-payment responsibilities, as well as higher medication costs.

"The fund is unique in scope in that it covers treatment, as well as preventive pharmaceutical regimens. We are now able to provide co-payment support for patients who are at high risk or who may have been exposed to HIV and need assistance affording critical preventive medication, as well as those who have been prescribed pharmaceutical treatment to address a current diagnosis," PAF's CEO Alan Balch, Ph.D. stated.

The HIV, AIDS and Prevention co-payment fund provides direct financial support for pharmaceutical expenses related to prevention, treatment and management of HIV or AIDS. Approved patients are eligible for up to $5,000 in fully guaranteed assistance per award year through the program.

The HIV, AIDS and Prevention fund will begin accepting applications from financially and medically qualified individuals on Monday, September 28th. Those interested in applying for help can apply online using the CPR secure online application portal by visiting www.copays.org/diseases/hiv-aids-and-prevention or by contacting a Co-Pay Relief Application Specialist at 1-866-512-3861 for assistance.

About the Patient Advocate Foundation (PAF) Co-Pay Relief Program (CPR)

The Co-Pay Relief Program, a division of Patient Advocate Foundation, provides direct financial support for pharmaceutical co-payments to insured patients who financially and medically qualify.

Since PAF's Co-Pay Relief program was launched in 2004, it has provided more than $230 million in financial assistance to more than 140,000 patients who would have been otherwise unable to afford their pharmaceutical co-payments, co-insurance and/or deductibles.

The program offers all applicants an instant eligibility determination the day they apply for assistance to ensure there is no delay in accessing prescribed care. This feature, combined with innovative technology tools for patients, providers and pharmacy representatives including 24 hour web based application portals, electronic signature, document upload and bar code fax routing capabilities, enables patients, and their care team, to access assistance when its needed most. Keeping with Patient Advocate Foundation's emphasis on excellent patient service, the program also offers individualized service to all patients through the use of Approval Specialists, personally guiding them through the enrollment process.

For more information or to contact Patient Advocate Foundation's Co-Pay Relief program visit www.copays.org or call 1-866-512-3861.

Contact:
Erin Singleton
(757) 952-0561