Alternative funding programs are rapidly spreading across employer health plans—but many patients don’t understand how these programs can affect their access to medication.

In this episode, William Sarraille, professor of practice and patient advocate, explains how AFPs work, why they’re expanding, and what they mean for patients who depend on high-cost therapies.

Together we explore:

• What alternative funding programs are
• How some plans remove specialty drugs from coverage
• Why patients are redirected to third-party assistance programs
• Research showing average therapy delays of up to 68 days
• How ERISA and ACA regulations create legal openings for AFPs
• Privacy and discrimination risks tied to health data sharing
• The ethical impact on limited manufacturer and charity programs
• An active legal challenge involving foreign-sourced medications

We also discuss how patients and advocates are pushing back—and what individuals can do to protect themselves.

If you’re navigating a self-funded health plan or supporting someone who is, this episode provides important context and practical steps for protecting access to care.

Subscribe for more conversations about patient advocacy, healthcare policy, and access to treatment.

Learn more about William Sarraille:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/william-sarraille-634a8827/

Related Research:

HOPE Charities also conducted a peer-reviewed survey examining patient experiences with alternative funding programs (AFPs), including delays in medication access, financial burden, and treatment disruptions. The study highlights how these programs may impact patients relying on specialty medications.

Read the study here:

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39471273/

Hope Charities is a national nonprofit focused on helping people living with rare and chronic illnesses thrive. Our programs specialize in helping people with genetic bleeding disorders and #hemophilia navigate the challenges of invisible disease by providing emotional, educational, and tangible support. To learn more about our programs, visit our website www.hope-charities.org. 

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