Patient Advocate Foundation and the PAN Foundation announced a strategic merger to form what they describe as the nation’s most comprehensive nonprofit organization dedicated to helping patients navigate, access, and afford healthcare.
The combined organization will operate under the Patient Advocate Foundation name and bring together all programs and services from both entities. These include more than 130 disease-specific financial assistance funds, case management services, educational resources, patient advocacy programs, research initiatives, and community engagement efforts.
Together, the organizations have supported patients for more than 50 years collectively. During that time, they have helped 3.8 million people access care, distributed over $7 billion in financial assistance, and provided personalized case management services to more than 350,000 patients and families. In 2025 alone, the two nonprofits awarded $640 million in financial assistance to nearly 200,000 individuals.
The merger aims to simplify how patients access support while expanding services at a time when healthcare affordability challenges are increasing. Demand for financial assistance programs rose 15 percent last year, reflecting rising healthcare costs, insurance coverage losses, and broader cost-of-living pressures.
The unified organization will continue providing personalized case management support, helping patients resolve issues such as insurance denials, disability applications, and access to social support services. It will also expand research and policy work focused on improving healthcare access and affordability.
Leadership from both organizations will guide the merged entity. Patient Advocate Foundation CEO Alan J. Balch, PhD, will serve as Executive Chairman of the Board, overseeing strategic direction and financial growth. Kevin L. Hagan, President and CEO of the PAN Foundation, will become CEO of the combined organization.
Integration planning is underway to ensure continuity of services for patients, healthcare providers, and partners. A new combined charitable patient assistance program called TotalAssist is expected to begin enrolling patients in July 2026.
The merged organization plans to continue offering its portfolio of financial assistance programs, case management support, educational tools, advocacy initiatives, research activities, and health equity programs, with the goal of expanding access to care and reducing financial barriers for patients across the United States.
KEY QUOTES
“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.”
Nancy Davenport-Ennis, Founder of Patient Advocate Foundation and Chair Emerita of its Board of Directors
“This moment marks an important new chapter for our organizations and for millions of patients navigating our nation’s healthcare system. 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.”
Alan J. Balch, PhD, CEO of Patient Advocate Foundation and Executive Chairman of the Board
“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. 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.”
Kevin L. Hagan, President and CEO of the PAN Foundation and Incoming CEO of the Combined Organization
