Helping others is the mantra of Alan Balch, CEO of Patient Advocate Foundation (PAF). “We provide direct and non-direct assistance to those with illnesses,” says Balch. “We provided direct assistance to 90 percent of the counties in America last year, meaning we helped at least one person in most counties in the country.”
PAF strives to offer assistance at the local, state and national level to promote access to affordable, quality health care for people with chronic, debilitating or life-threatening illnesses. The foundation also provides services and assistance in the forms of financial need, various educational programs, workshops, webinars, research and community engagement.
Balch suggests individuals being treated for a chronic disease who need help paying for treatment visit the foundation’s website to see if they are eligible for assistance. Those seeking assistance can apply directly through the website. The foundation also offers resources and information online for those who may face specific problems such as denial from insurance, utility cut off or insurance options.
“Our website also features a financial resource directory for those who are insured and uninsured; where you can put in your generic, not personal info, such as your illness and location; and the site will generate resources applicable to your situation, which is populated by our case managers. The website is constantly updated to assist with barriers,” Balch says.
The Hampton-based foundation employs around 200 people. Balch has worked in the healthcare nonprofit field for 22 years and has been PAF’s CEO for 12 years.
Reflecting on his time with the foundation, Balch highlighted how rewarding it has been to serve patients needing assistance. “Having worked in the healthcare field for so long, it’s really rewarding to know how many patients we are helping with direct assistance. We use 99 cents of every dollar to directly help people, and we can track and document how that support was used and the impact it had. Helping people who have a major illness or disease and are struggling with the basic necessities of life is really rewarding.”
Looking to the future, Balch says PAF will continue to help people by addressing the blockades they face while seeking healthcare.
“If you have a chronic disease or were recently diagnosed, you should start thinking about and planning for the non-clinical aspects of your care: housing, transportation, caregiver support, food or nutritional needs. Talk
with your healthcare team about them. Patients often don’t think about these things as part of their healthcare, but some of these aspects will become barriers to medical care. Part of the care journey is to make sure these basic needs are addressed early and often, rather than waiting until they become a hurdle to ongoing care,” Balch says.
When Balch isn’t working, he enjoys jogging and visiting local breweries.
TO THE POINT
Patient Advocate Foundation
Address: 421 Butler Farm Rd., Hampton, VA 23666
Contact: Alan Balch, CEO
Phone: 800-532-5274
Website: patientadvocate.org
