Strategic merger will expand services, simplify access, and reach millions more facing the growing healthcare access and affordability crisis
HAMPTON, Va. AND WASHINGTON, March 3, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Patient Advocate Foundation and PAN Foundation today announced a strategic merger to create the nation’s most comprehensive nonprofit dedicated to helping patients navigate, access, and afford care, while simultaneously leveraging their complementary expertise to improve the healthcare system for low- and middle-income patients, families, and communities.
The combined organization, operating as Patient Advocate Foundation, will bring all current programs and services of both organizations into one place, including over 130 disease-specific financial assistance funds, personalized case management services, award-winning education, patient advocacy and engagement programs, rigorous research, health equity initiatives, and community engagement.
The merger represents the first of its scale among nonprofit charities. Over a combined 50 years, the organizations have helped 3.8 million patients access care, granted over $7 billion in financial assistance, and provided personalized case management support to over 350,000 patients and their families. In 2025 alone, they awarded $640 million in financial assistance to nearly 200,000 people. By uniting, the combined organization will make it easier for patients—regardless of insurance status, age, income, background, or diagnosis—to get financial help, navigate the healthcare system, and overcome barriers to treatment.
Patient Advocate Foundation will also continue to serve as the leading nonprofit authority in case management, providing one-on-one guidance from trained advocates to help patients solve complex problems, from appealing insurance denials and applying for disability to finding social support programs. The combining entities will also continue their comprehensive efforts to create patient-centered reforms across the healthcare ecosystem, especially for those who face significant barriers to access and affordability.
Nancy Davenport-Ennis, Founder of Patient Advocate Foundation and Chair Emerita of its Board of Directors observes, “Today the strategic vision I had in 1996 to establish Patient Advocate Foundation to improve patient access to, and payment of healthcare services is being expanded through our merger with the PAN Foundation. 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. 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.”
Alan J. Balch, PhD, Patient Advocate Foundation CEO, has been appointed to serve as Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors, and will oversee and chart the organization’s strategic direction and financial growth. Kevin L. Hagan, President and CEO of the PAN Foundation, has been appointed to serve as CEO. The two visionary leaders will work together through integration and beyond to lead the organization into the future.
“This moment marks an important new chapter for our organizations and for millions of patients navigating our nation’s healthcare system,” said Dr. Balch. “By uniting under one shared mission, we are not simply expanding our reach—we are setting a new standard for patient impact and expanding access to affordable, equitable healthcare at a time when the safety net is under tremendous strain. Today, we are uniting for patients.”
“By joining forces, we are creating something greater than the sum of our parts—a single, trusted destination for patients who need financial help, guidance, and a clear path through a complex healthcare system,” said Hagan. “This merger allows us to reach more people, offer more services, and increase our capacity to work with healthcare partners and other mission-aligned nonprofit organizations.”
Demand for help with access and affordability challenges is rising in the U.S. Collectively, the organizations saw a 15 percent increase in financial assistance enrollments last year, reflecting the growing number of people facing unaffordable healthcare costs, loss of insurance coverage, and rising cost-of-living expenses.
At a time when Medicaid coverage is contracting, health insurance premiums have risen, inflation continues to rise, and the population of people with chronic conditions continues to grow, the combined foundation offers a critical safety net and comprehensive support, including:
- The nation’s largest portfolio of financial assistance programs – providing over 130 disease-specific financial assistance funds for chronic and rare conditions.
- Best-in-class personalized case management support – helping people, regardless of insurance status, solve real-life challenges related to serious health conditions.
- Trusted educational tools and resources – offering award-winning guides on insurance and financial assistance navigation, disability, and clinical trials, as well as acclaimed resources like the National Financial Resource Directory and FundFinder.
- Patient advocacy, engagement, and innovation – delivering programs that empower patients as active participants in healthcare decision-making and advancing reforms that expand access to care.
- Rigorous research – generating real-time insights into the patient experience that drive evidence-based improvements to the nation’s healthcare system.
- Health equity and community engagement – connecting patient services, social needs navigation, research, and patient advocacy to the highest-need communities.
- Nonprofit program administration – serving as a trusted partner to mission-aligned nonprofits to administer patient safety net programs on their behalf.
Integration planning is underway to ensure seamless continuity for patients, providers, and supporters. A combined, comprehensive charitable patient assistance program, TotalAssist, will begin enrolling patients in July 2026.
Additional resources
- Integration Information Center: Uniting for Patients
The Integration Information Center will provide ongoing updates and answer frequently asked questions. Learn more at Uniting.PatientAdvocate.org.
- Media resources
Access our media kit. To request an interview or a statement, complete the media request form, including details on your deadline, and a member of our Communications team will respond promptly.
About Patient Advocate Foundation
Patient Advocate Foundation is the nation’s most comprehensive nonprofit dedicated to helping patients navigate, access, and afford their care while improving the healthcare system for all. We provide financial assistance to help patients afford treatment and cost of living needs, personalized case management to navigate complex healthcare and social needs challenges, and a wide array of resources to empower people to take charge of their health.
Since our founding in 1996—and joining forces with the PAN Foundation in 2026—we have helped more than 3.8 million people access and navigate care, granted over $7 billion in financial assistance, provided personalized case management support to over 350,000 patients, and elevated the patient’s voice to drive improvements in the healthcare system.
Learn more at Uniting.PatientAdvocate.org.
Media Contact: Caitlin Donovan, 1202 465-5113
View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/patient-advocate-foundation-and-pan-foundation-announce-merger-to-create-nations-most-comprehensive-nonprofit-dedicated-to-helping-patients-navigate-access-and-afford-care-302701547.html
SOURCE Patient Advocate Foundation
