TAF Fall Provider Newsletter 2021

President's Message

Hello Friends,

As the long summer days turn into fall, I hope you are staying healthy and well. At The Assistance Fund (TAF), we continue to closely monitor the delta variant and coronavirus pandemic as we transition back to our physical offices. Our patients' health continues to be our priority.

With the arrival of fall comes the start of our annual Reenrollment period. Reenrollment for TAF patients occurs during the last quarter of the year (November – December) and is disease-program-specific. Disease programs eligible for reenrollment are divided into two reenrollment groups: Purple and Teal. Once again, TAF is teaming up with Lighthouse Works, an Orlando-based nonprofit organization whose mission is to create job opportunities for blind and visually impaired people in Central Florida. The partnership allows us to reduce hold times on the telephone, handle more calls, and improve our internal service levels while supporting an important Central Florida organization.

In case you missed it over the summer, be sure to read our 2020 Impact Report. This year’s impact report highlights TAF’s important moments and accomplishments in the framework of our values. I am tremendously proud of how the TAF team adapted to the rapidly changing circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic, and how they continued to serve our patients without disruption.

Read more about the impact report, and additional TAF news and updates below.

Sincerely,

Mark McGreevy

President and CEO

COVID-19 Update

As of October 7, 2021, more than 186 million Americans have been fully vaccinated with a COVID-19 vaccine. TAF programs and services continue to be fully operational as we transition back to our physical offices. TAF programs and services continue to be fully operational.

The Assistance Fund team deeply appreciates the tremendous sacrifice you and your colleagues have made to keep all of us—especially the patients we serve—safe.

Apply for TAF 2022 Reenrollment

As in previous years, TAF Reenrollment is organized into two groups that are disease-program-specific: Purple and Teal. Purple Reenrollment takes place from November 3–19. Teal Reenrollment takes place from December 1–17. Patients must apply for Reenrollment themselves to be eligible for TAF assistance. When your patients' Reenrollment time period begins, they may apply for Reenrollment through one of the following methods:

Text: If we have their cell phone number on file, they will receive a text with their Reenrollment link on their Reenrollment date.

Email: If we have their email on file, they will receive an email with their Reenrollment link on their Reenrollment date.

Online: When Reenrollment for the upcoming year opens, they can apply for Reenrollment on our website through our Reenrollment Hub.

Paper: If your patients wish to complete a paper application, please call (833) 343-2148. Applications will not be mailed or emailed prior to Reenrollment dates. Patients must request a paper application once their Reenrollment period has opened.

In order to best serve our patients during the upcoming 2022 Reenrollment period, we are extending our hours to 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday, from November 1–December 17, 2021. For more information, please visit our dedicated Reenrollment Page.

2020 Impact Report Highlights TAF Core Values

2020 was an incredibly memorable year that tested our mettle as an organization. From launching our Provider Portal and disease program waitlists, to forging partnerships with patient organizations to advocate on behalf of our patients, to supporting crucial research on cell gene therapy, there is much to celebrate.

Read the 2020 Impact Report here.

TAF Enhances Patient Resources

At TAF, we are committed to putting patients at the center of everything we do. This fall, we added several features to our Patient Resources page. TAF's enhanced Patient Resources page has a wide range of resources, including:

Patient support organizations
Rare disease information
Financial support and community-based resources
Health insurance and government resources
Caregiver and emotional support resources
Aging resources
Independent charitable patient assistance organizations

On our Patient Resources page, patients can also find helpful tools like our Patient FAQs and Document Uploader . Visit the page today.

TAF Launches Advocacy Action Center

Advocating for public policies that ensure access to clinical care, diagnostic testing, therapy, and treatment at a cost within reach is critical to our mission.

Through our new Advocacy Action Center , you and your patients can make your voices heard in Washington. No one should go without treatment because of an inability to pay.

Purple Pro: Sam Caldwell, Patient Advocate

What is your favorite part about your job?

Meeting new individuals every day. I hear or learn something every day. Everyone has a different story or background.

What are some of the most common questions you receive?

I am often asked, “Do I qualify?” and “Can you help me?”

What have you learned while working at TAF?

I’ve learned so much. I’ve focused on how to keep the patient at ease during waitlist periods and treat them like they are family.

What three words best describe how to be successful at your job?

Comprehension, compassion, and action.

How are you trying to improve patients’ experience?

During each interaction, I try to be proactive and advise on any misunderstandings. I review guidelines while maintaining compassion.

Describe what it’s like to work at TAF.

It’s especially rewarding when I hear the stress go away upon approval. It’s a joy and a hope.

What is one fun fact about you?

I can’t stop talking. It’s my gift. I recently met a lady on the airplane, and we exchanged phone numbers. You never know who you will meet!

Which TAF value do you most identify with and why?

Passion. It’s all about caring for the patient and treating them like family.

Conference Attendance

On the Road

The Assistance Fund is continuing to attend a range of virtual and in-person conferences in 2021. Here is a list of some of our upcoming conferences:

National Health Council Science of Patient Engagement Virtual Symposium (October 13)
American Porphyria Foundation Heme Biosynthesis & the Porphyrias 2021 Scientific Virtual Symposium (October 15–17)
Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers 2021 Annual Meeting (October 25–28)
Asembia's Specialty Pharmacy Summit (October 26–29)
BIO Patient and Health Advocacy Digital Summit (October 27–28)

Read Patients' Stories on Our New Medium Page

We love hearing from our patients. Their lives, and their stories, are why we come to work every day.

"The Assistance Fund has been great. Whenever I call or have questions, everybody at TAF is just so friendly." – Suzie, Hypophosphatemia Financial Assistance Program

"TAF has made a huge difference in my life. I shudder to think what my symptoms would be if I weren’t on these medications." – Vicki, Parkinson's Disease Copay Assistance Program

"I got in and was approved right away. It was remarkable how easy it was to get signed up with TAF." – Rosona, Myasthenia Gravis Financial Assistance Program

Now, you can read their stories on our new Medium page: https://theassistancefund.medium.com/. Follow The Assistance Fund today!

Patient Profile: Geoff, Prostate Cancer Copay Assistance Program

Geoff has lived in the Chicagoland area most of his life and is the quintessential Midwestern man. After receiving his bachelor’s degree from the University of New Mexico, he came back to the North Shore. The cold winters could not keep him away.

“It amazes me when people who grew up in the Midwest still react poorly during the first few snowfalls-—I mean, they should be used to it by now!” he said.

It was during his time as a Lobo at the University of New Mexico that Geoff met his wife, all thanks to the introduction from a friend. For decades they’ve been each other’s rocks. These days, Geoff and his wife put their energy toward their four young grandchildren, all under the age of 12.

“We’re not as active as we used to be,” Geoff said. “Though we still love to take our bikes out and go for a ride. Family is very important to us.”

With the support of his family, Geoff stays diligent in tracking his health. He was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2012, but thanks to a team of doctors and effective treatment, Geoff’s quality of life has improved.

“[Thanks to my treatment], my prostate-specific antigen level is back down to almost negligible,” he said. “If I follow what the doctor says, I will continue to not have any problems.”

When Geoff was first diagnosed, the cost of treatment was just as frightening to him as the cancer itself.

“When I saw the cost, I said, ‘we are going to need to skip that treatment,’” he said. “There was no way I had an extra $25-30,000 each year for a drug.”

Through the help of his doctor, Geoff found The Assistance Fund’s (TAF’s) Prostate Cancer Copay Assistance Program, which provides financial assistance for out-of-pocket costs for prescribed FDA-approved treatment, such as copays, deductibles, and coinsurance.

“I am grateful to have the assistance of an excellent doctor and TAF,” Geoff said. “I can’t change the fact that I have cancer, but what I can do is be positive and proactive.”

One thing cancer doesn’t impact is Geoff’s attitude. With the peace of mind that comes with knowing he can afford his critical treatment, Geoff can look ahead to watching his peewee players turn into star athletes.

“It doesn’t help to sit around and stew about it,” he said. “I might as well move forward.”

Upcoming Disease Awareness Months

October:

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Gaucher Disease Awareness Month

TAF staff wearing blue for Prostate Cancer Awareness Month.

November:

Alpha-1 Awareness Month

Epilepsy Awareness Month

Lung Cancer Awareness Month

National Family Caregivers Month

Pulmonary Hypertension Awareness Month

Stomach Cancer Awareness Month

TAF staff wearing lavender and orange for Psoriasis Awareness Month.

TAF Is on Instagram

If you're on Instagram, follow @TheAssistanceFund for the latest news and updates, as well as a look at the people behind our best-in-class patient experience.

Christina's Corner

It's hard to believe that our annual Reenrollment period is here again. After another challenging year of the pandemic, all of us at TAF are excited that patients will be able to access another calendar year of assistance. For questions regarding 2022 TAF Reenrollment, please visit our Reenrollment FAQs.

At TAF, we are committed to providing our patients access to critical treatment through financial assistance, education, and advocacy. Check out our enhanced Patient Resources page for a wide range of tools and resources to address your patients' needs.

Reminder: We will extend our hours to 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday, from November 1–December 17, 2021. In addition, TAF offices will be closed on Nov. 25 and 26 for the Thanksgiving holiday, and Dec. 24 and 31 for the Christmas and New Year's holidays, respectively.

As always, please don't hesitate to reach out to me with questions or concerns at Christina.Abbene@tafcares.org.

Christina Abbene, Program Manager