HAMPTON, Va., Jan. 5, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Patient Advocate Foundation (PAF) – a national, non-profit organization providing professional case management services to patients facing healthcare access issues, is pleased to announce the launch of a new Hepatitis C CareLine, providing individualized, sustained assistance to patients diagnosed with Hepatitis C.  The CareLine will provide help to patients across the country to resolve healthcare access and insurance issues, at no charge to the patient.

This new program joins Patient Advocate Foundation's existing suite of CareLine programs, furthering PAF's commitment to helping patients with chronic, debilitating or life-threatening illness navigate the healthcare industry. In 2013, Hepatitis diagnoses ranked in PAF's top ten list of diseases reported by patients seeking help through the case management team. Through the Hepatitis C CareLine, dedicated case managers will serve as a direct resource for Hepatitis C patients assisting them with benefit coordination, educational and financial resources, help accessing the latest available treatment, navigation through the appeals and reimbursement processes, as well as other patient services. This new program joins Patient Advocate Foundation's existing copayment support for Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C patients offered through its Co-Pay Relief program.

"Patient Advocate Foundation is committed to helping Hepatitis C patients maintain financial stability while consistently accessing needed treatments and prescribed medical care," says PAF CEO, Alan Balch, Ph.D.  "By directly connecting Hepatitis C patients with the correct resources and negotiating on their behalf, we believe PAF can make a difference for patients in the Hepatitis C community."

Any patient or medical provider interested in learning more about Patient Advocate Foundation's Hepatitis C CareLine should call 800-532-5274 or visit hepatitisc.pafcareline.org/. The CareLine will offer live service to patients Monday through Thursday from 8:30 AM – 8:00 PM ET and Friday from 8:30 AM – 7:00 PM ET. Bi-lingual case managers are available to assist Spanish speaking callers.

For more information about Patient Advocate Foundation and their mission to improve healthcare access to all patients, please visit www.patientadvocate.org.

About Patient Advocate Foundation (PAF)

Patient Advocate Foundation is a national non-profit organization that seeks to safeguard patients through effective mediation assuring access to care, maintenance of employment and preservation of their financial stability. PAF services are available to all patients, patient families, and medical professionals without charge. Patient Advocate Foundation serves patients from all 50 states, and has physical locations at many of the top patient referral states including Texas, Florida, California, and Virginia.