According to a story from SMA News Today, the Patient Access Network (PAN) Foundation announced that it is now offering financial assistance to help patients living with the rare disease spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) pay for treatment. This assistance program will contribute as much as $6,500 annually for a patient’s treatment. Specifically, the funds are intended for out of pocket expenses, like deductibles, coinsurance fees, or co-pays.
About Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA)
Spinal muscular atrophy is a type of neuromuscular disorder in which the motor neurons are destroyed, leading to muscle wasting. Without prompt treatment, the disease is lethal in many cases. This disorder is linked to genetic defects of the SMN1 gene. This gene encodes a protein called SMN, and when not present in certain amounts, neurons are unable to function. There are different kinds of spinal muscular atrophy that are categorized by when symptoms first appear. These symptoms may include loss of reflexes, muscle weakness and poor muscle tone, problems with feeding and swallowing, developmental delays, respiratory muscle weakness, tongue twitching, and a bell shaped torso. The most effective treatment currently available for the disease is called Zolgensma. To learn more about spinal muscular atrophy, click here.
About The Program
In order to qualify for the program, applicants have to be living in the US and receiving treatment in the US or a US territory; however, citizenship is not considered necessary. Applicants also must have income at or beneath 400 percent of the federal poverty level. In addition, applicants must be getting treated with therapies are part of the PAN Foundation’s list of covered medicines. The list can be found here. Funds can be made available immediately once the application gains approval.
About The PAN Foundation
The PAN Foundation is a nonprofit organization that is committed to helping uninsured or underinsured patients living with rare and/or chronic illnesses get the treatment that they need by assisting with costs and advocating for improvements to healthcare affordability and access. Click here to learn more about the PAN Foundation.
Are you interested in getting assistance through this program? Click here to see if you’re eligible and click here to apply.
