Patient Advocate Foundation Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
PATIENT ADVOCATE FOUNDATION (PAF) IS A NATIONAL 501 (C)(3) NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION THAT PROVIDES PROFESSIONAL CASE MANAGEMENT AND FINANCIAL AID SERVICES TO AMERICANS WITH CHRONIC, LIFE THREATENING AND DEBILITATING ILLNESSES. PAF CASE MANAGERS SERVE AS ACTIVE LIAISONS BETWEEN THE PATIENT AND THEIR INSURER, EMPLOYER AND/OR CREDITORS TO RESOLVE INSURANCE, JOB RETENTION AND/OR DEBT CRISIS MATTERS AS THEY RELATE TO THEIR DIAGNOSIS. PATIENT ADVOCATE FOUNDATION SEEKS TO SAFEGUARD PATIENTS THROUGH EFFECTIVE MEDIATION ASSURING ACCESS TO CARE, MAINTENANCE OF EMPLOYMENT AND PRESERVATION OF THEIR FINANCIAL STABILITY.
- Income
- $133.8 million
- Spending
- $205.8 million
- Spent on programs
- 98%
- Reserves
- 1.8 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 87%
- Employees
- 280
- Volunteers
- 0
- Highest pay
- $489,315, chief executive officer
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Weak: 45 out of 100. Higher than 12% of charities in its peer group (education, over $100m).
Reserves
10 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 1.8 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 11% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 54% of income.
Income trend
0 of 15Income fell 45% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1598% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 41% of charities in its peer group (education, over $100m).
Independent board
25 of 2514 of 14 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Impact evidence
Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.
Programs described in its return (3)
- $185.0 million spent. FINANCIAL SUPPORT PROGRAMSSINCE 2004, PAF'S CO-PAY RELIEF PROGRAM (CPR) HAS PROVIDED FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR CO-PAYMENTS, CO-INSURANCE AND DEDUCTIBLES REQUIRED BY A PATIENT'S INSURER FOR MEDICATIONS PRESCRIBED TO TREAT AND/OR MANAGE THE PATIENT'S DISEASE.IN FY 2024/2025 PAF'S CO-PAY RELIEF PROGRAM EXPANDED ITS IMPACT THROUGH THE ADDITION OF NINE (9) NEW GENERAL FUNDS, ASSISTING PATIENTS IN TWO (2) NEW HEALTH EQUITY (HE) FUNDS AND SIXTY (60) EXISTING FUNDS INCLUDING:ACROMEGALY, ACUTE MYELOID LEUKEMIA, ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE HE, AMYLOIDOSIS, ASTHMA, BILE DUCT CANCER, BLADDER CANCER, BREAST CANCER, BREAST CANCER HE, CANCER GENETIC & GENOMIC TESTING, CERVICAL CANCER, CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE, CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE HE, COVID-19 & POST COVID CONDITIONS, CYSTIC FIBROSIS, DIABETES, DIABETES HE, DIABETES TYPE 2 HE, EOSINOPHILIC ESOPHAGITIS, GAUCHER DISEASE, GAUCHER DISEASE HE, HEART FAILURE HE, HEMOPHILIA, HEMOPHILIA HE, HEPATITIS B, HEPATITIS C, HEPATITIS C HE, HEPATOCELLULAR CARCINOMA, HIV, AIDS & PREVENTION, HIV, AIDS & PREVENTION HE, HOMOZYGOUS FAMILIAL HYPERCHOLESTEROLEMIA, LUPUS, LUPUS HE, MELANOMA, METASTATIC BREAST CANCER, METASTATIC COLORECTAL CANCER, METASTATIC COLORECTAL CANCER HE, METASTATIC PROSTATE CANCER, MUCOPOLYSACCHARIDOSIS III, MUCOPOLYSACCHARIDOSIS VII, MUCOPOLYSACCHARIDOSIS VII HE, MULTIPLE MYELOMA, MULTIPLE MYELOMA HE, MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS, MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS HE, MYELODYSPLASTIC SYNDROMES, NARCOLEPSY, NON-SMALL CELL LUNG CANCERS, NON-SMALL CELL LUNG CANCER HE, OSTEOPOROSIS, OVARIAN CANCER, OVARIAN CANCER HE, PANCREATIC CANCER, PARKINSON'S DISEASE HE, PERIODIC PARALYSIS, PROSTATE CANCER, PROSTATE CANCER HE, PSORIASIS, PSORIATIC ARTHRITIS, PULMONARY FIBROSIS, PULMONARY HYPERTENSION, RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS, SMALL CELL LUNG CANCER, SOCIAL NEEDS ASSESSMENT & INTERVENTION FUND, SOFT TISSUE SARCOMA, SPINAL MUSCULAR ATROPHY, SPINAL MUSCULAR ATROPHY HE, STOKE, THYROID EYE DISEASE, ULCERATIVE COLITIS, VIROLOGY TESTING HE.PAF'S CO-PAY RELIEF PROGRAM ESTABLISHED HEALTH EQUITY FUNDS IN 2022, A TYPE OF FUND THAT MAKES CPR MORE ACCESSIBLE AND BENEFICIAL FOR PATIENTS WHO NEEDED THE MOST HELP AND ARE NOT BEING SERVED ADEQUATELY BY THE EXISTING MEDICAL AND COPAY INFRASTRUCTURE. DEVELOPED USING THE SOCIAL VULNERABILITY INDEX (SVI) AND CDC DISEASE INCIDENCE DATA, THESE FUNDS SERVE PEOPLE LIVING IN 226 COUNTIES ACROSS THE UNITED STATES THAT HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED BY THE SVI AND CDC INCIDENCE DATA AS HAVING THE HIGHEST SOCIAL VULNERABILITY SCORES AND ARE BURDENED WITH HIGH RATES OF CHRONIC DISEASES. THE HEALTH EQUITY FUNDS ARE DESIGNED TO SPECIFICALLY PROVIDE SUPPORT TO ELIGIBLE PATIENTS LIVING IN ONE OF THE 226 COUNTIES COVERED BY THE FUNDS, WHICH IS VERIFIED USING THE ZIP CODE OF THE PATIENT'S HOME ADDRESS. ALL OTHER ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS, AND FUND OPERATION, ARE THE SAME AS CPR'S GENERAL FUNDS. THE FOUNDATION'S CO-PAY RELIEF PROGRAM OFFERS A DEDICATED, SECURE WEB-BASED APPLICATION FOR PATIENTS AND/OR THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS TO ENROLL ELECTRONICALLY FOR THE CO-PAY RELIEF PROGRAM DIRECTLY FROM THE CO-PAY RELIEF PROGRAM WEBSITE. ALSO, CPR OFFERS THREE DEDICATED, SECURED WEBSITES FOR MEDICAL PROVIDERS, PHARMACY REPRESENTATIVES AND EMPLOYEES OF CHARITABLE NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS TO ENROLL ELECTRONICALLY FOR THE CO-PAY RELIEF PROGRAM ON BEHALF OF THE PATIENTS THEY ARE WORKING WITH. THE FOUNDATION ALSO OFFERS TELEPHONIC SUPPORT SERVICES TO PATIENTS WHO PREFER TO RECEIVE PERSONAL ASSISTANCE FROM A PROGRAM SPECIALIST.IN FY2024/2025, THE FOUNDATION ADMINISTERED CO-PAYMENT ASSISTANCE TO 78,035 QUALIFIED PATIENTS THROUGH SEVENTY-ONE (71) ASSISTANCE FUNDS AVAILABLE THROUGH THE CO-PAY RELIEF PROGRAM. THE PROGRAM STAFF FIELDED 188,385 TELEPHONE CALLS AND PROCESSED CLAIMS TOTALING OVER $174,190,832 IN SUPPORT OF QUALIFIED PATIENTS' OUT OF POCKET EXPENSES FOR REQUIRED CO-PAYMENTS, CO-INSURANCE, AND DEDUCTIBLES. SINCE ITS INCEPTION IN 2004, THE FOUNDATION HAS PROVIDED CO-PAYMENT ASSISTANCE TO OVER 831,000 INDIVIDUALS, ALLOCATING MORE THAN $2.5 BILLION IN CO-PAYMENT AWARDS. PAF ALSO ADMINISTERED A SUITE OF SEVENTEEN (17) SMALL GRANT PROGRAMS IN FY2024/2025 REFERRED TO AS FINANCIAL AID FUNDS, EACH PROVIDING FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO QUALIFIED PATIENTS FOR OUT OF POCKET AND COST OF LIVING EXPENSES PATIENTS STRUGGLE TO MANAGE WHEN DEALING WITH CHRONIC OR CRITICAL DISEASE. IN FY2024/2025, PROGRAM STAFF FIELDED 22,839 TELEPHONE CALLS AND SUCCESSFULLY PROVIDED ONE-TIME SMALL GRANTS TO 2,786 PATIENTS, TOTALING $3,534,600 IN FINANCIAL RELIEF. THE SMALL GRANTS RANGE FROM $500-$4500 PER PATIENT AND ARE DESIGNED TO DEFRAY NON-MEDICAL EXPENSES, INCLUDING TRANSPORTATION, LODGING, NUTRITIONAL NEEDS, CHILDCARE, AND BURIAL EXPENSES, FACED BY PATIENTS BECAUSE OF THEIR DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT. THE FINANCIAL AID FUND PROGRAMS INCLUDE: ACS CANCER CARE CONTINUITY FUND: IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY, THIS FUND SUPPORTS CANCER PATIENTS THAT LIVE IN A QUALIFYING AREA AND THEIR FAMILIES THAT WERE IMPACTED DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY BY HURRICANE HELENE OR HURRICANE MILTON. ACS CANCER CARE CONTINUITY WILDFIRES FUND: IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY, THIS FUND SUPPORTS CANCER PATIENTS THAT LIVE IN A QUALIFYING AREA AND THEIR FAMILIES THAT WERE IMPACTED DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY BY THE CALIFORNIA WILDFIRES. ARDS ALLIANCE SUMITA DIXIT RECOVERY FUND: SERVING PATIENTS DIAGNOSED WITH ACUTE RESPIRATORY DISTRESS SYNDROME (ARDS). BEGIN AGAIN FOUNDATION AMPUTEE FUND: SERVING PATIENTS DIAGNOSED WITH SEPSIS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED AN AMPUTATION AS A RESULT OF SEPSIS. BEGIN AGAIN FOUNDATION BEREAVEMENT FUND: SUPPORTS FUNERAL EXPENSES ASSOCIATED WITH PATIENTS WHO HAVE PASSED AND DIED FROM ARDS, TSS AND/OR SEPSIS. BEGIN AGAIN FOUNDATION FINANCIAL AID FUND: SERVING PATIENTS DIAGNOSED WITH ARDS, TSS AND/OR SEPSIS. BEGIN AGAIN SOUTHEASTERN VIRGINIA FINANCIAL AID FUND: SERVING PATIENTS DIAGNOSED WITH ARDS, TSS, AND/OR SEPSIS THAT RESIDES IN SOUTHEASTERN VIRGINIA. CASE MANAGEMENT IMMEDIATE NEED FUND: SERVING PATIENTS WITH AN IMME
- $8.7 million spent. NON-PROFIT SERVICE AGREEMENTSPAF CURRENTLY OPERATES TRANSPARENT SERVICE ADMINISTRATION AGREEMENTS WITH THREE NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS, ONE NATIONAL AND TWO REGIONAL CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS. THE FIRST NPPA PROGRAM BEGAN OPERATIONS IN 2009, AND TWO NEW PARTNERSHIP PROGRAMS LAUNCHED IN 2024. PAF HAS BEEN ENGAGED TO PROVIDE FULL SERVICE, TRANSPARENT ADMINISTRATION SERVICES TO QUALIFIED PATIENTS THAT ENTER THEIR CO-PAY ASSISTANCE AND/OR PATIENT FINANCIAL AID PROGRAMS. PAF PROVIDED THIS CONTRACTUAL SERVICE DURING 2025 AND 2024. THE FOUNDATION ADMINISTERED SERVICES TO 67,891 AND 70,982 PATIENTS IN 2025 AND 2024, RESPECTIVELY, THROUGH THIS SERVICE AGREEMENT.
- $8.2 million spent. CASE MANAGEMENT SERVICESFOR 29 YEARS, THE FOUNDATION HAS PROVIDED CASE MANAGEMENT INTERVENTIONS FOR CRITICALLY OR CHRONICALLY ILL PATIENTS ACROSS THE NATION. PAF'S MISSION IS TO HELP PATIENTS CONNECT WITH AND MAINTAIN ACCESS TO PRESCRIBED HEALTHCARE SERVICES AND MEDICATIONS, NAVIGATE INSURANCE BARRIERS, FIND RESOURCES TO SUPPORT COST-OF-LIVING EXPENSES DURING TREATMENT, EVALUATE, AND SUSTAIN HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE, AND MANAGE OR REDUCE OUT-OF-POCKET MEDICAL AND LIVING EXPENSES.PAF'S PROFESSIONAL CASE MANAGEMENT SERVICES ARE OFFERED AT NO COST TO PATIENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES. WE COLLABORATE CLOSELY WITH PATIENTS, THEIR LOVED ONES, AND THEIR CARE TEAMS, OFTEN TAKING THE LEAD IN RESOLVING COMPLEX HEALTHCARE ACCESS AND AFFORDABILITY CHALLENGES. IN FY24/25, THE FOUNDATION'S CASE MANAGEMENT STAFF DIRECTLY ASSISTED OR ADVOCATED FOR 13,551 INDIVIDUALS, COLLECTIVELY LIVING WITH 773 UNIQUE DISEASES. ON AVERAGE, EACH CASE INVOLVED 30 CONTACTS WITH RELEVANT STAKEHOLDERS TO ACHIEVE RESOLUTION, TOTALING 411,721 UNIQUE INTERACTIONS. THIS EFFORT RESULTED IN AN AVERAGE DEBT RELIEF OR PATIENT SAVINGS OF $1,220 PER CASE.IN ADDITION TO DIRECT CASE MANAGEMENT, PAF PROVIDED 15,196 EDUCATIONS PUBLICATIONS IN BOTH PRINT AND DIGITAL FORMATS TO PATIENTS AND THOSE SEEKING GUIDANCE. THE FOUNDATION OPERATES A DIVERSE PORTFOLIO OF 26 UNIQUE CASE MANAGEMENT PROGRAMS, EACH DESIGNED TO SUPPORT PATIENTS IN THEIR HEALTHCARE JOURNEYS, WORKING TO RESOLVE ACCESS AND AFFORDABILITY ISSUES THAT, IF NOT ADDRESSED, IMPACT CARE AND HEALTH OUTCOMES.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.
Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.
Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated November 6, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.
On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.
Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending June 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since October 1996.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.
Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.
Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated November 4, 2026.
Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.