Assistance Options for Patients with CEO, Danielle Vizcaino

Talk to Your Pharmacist Podcast Interview - Danielle Vizcaino and Hillary Blackburn

Danielle Vizcaino, President and CEO of The Assistance Fund (TAF), discussed the organization's role in providing financial assistance to patients facing high medical out-of-pocket costs. TAF, founded in 2009, has helped over 190,000 people, including 40,070 in 2023, with nearly 100 disease-specific programs. Vizcaino highlighted the importance of patient referrals and the unique features of TAF, such as year-long assistance and no cap on annual assistance. She emphasized the need for continued support and awareness, especially for rare diseases like Duchenne muscular dystrophy and hypophosphatasia. Vizcaino also shared her journey from molecular biology to healthcare administration and her commitment to improving healthcare accessibility.

Introduction and Background of Danielle Vizcaino

• Hillary Blackburn welcomes Danielle Vizcaino and asks her to introduce herself and fill in any gaps in the intro.
• Danielle Vizcaino confirms her last name pronunciation and mentions the proposed items from Mark Meyer.
• Hillary Blackburn mentions she received the outline late due to being on vacation and will add it to her info.
• Danielle Vizcaino asks if she should be on camera; Hillary Blackburn mentions she hasn't done video yet but is open to it.

Overview of The Assistance Fund (TAF)

• Hillary Blackburn introduces Danielle Vizcaino as President and CEO of The Assistance Fund (TAF) and provides a brief overview of the organization.
• Danielle Vizcaino shares her passion for healthcare from a young age and her educational background in molecular biology, microbiology, MPH, and MBA.
• She details her career path, including roles in mycobacteriology, healthcare administration, and her transition to TAF in 2016.
• Danielle Vizcaino shares a personal discovery about being a carrier of a rare disease, which deepened her commitment to improving healthcare accessibility.

Details About The Assistance Fund (TAF)

• Danielle Vizcaino provides an introduction to TAF, explaining its role in helping patients and families with high medical out-of-pocket costs.
• She highlights TAF's 100 disease-specific programs and their impact, including helping over 190,000 people since 2009.
• Danielle Vizcaino mentions that in 2023, TAF helped 40,070 people, with many receiving year-after-year assistance due to genetic conditions.
• She discusses the importance of TAF's assistance, especially for insured patients with high-cost medical conditions.

Danielle Vizcaino's Career Path and TAF's Mission

• Hillary Blackburn asks Danielle Vizcaino about her path to becoming CEO of TAF and how she transitioned from molecular biology to nonprofit work.
• Danielle Vizcaino explains her initial interest in medicine and her shift towards healthcare administration and public health.
• She describes her experience with TAF, including building departments and infrastructure, and her eventual promotion to CEO in 2023.
• Danielle Vizcaino emphasizes the importance of TAF's mission and her gratitude for the opportunity to lead such a passionate team.

TAF's Role and Impact in the Healthcare Ecosystem

• Hillary Blackburn and Danielle Vizcaino discuss the importance of TAF in helping insured patients access necessary treatments.
• Danielle Vizcaino explains the difference between independent charitable patient assistance organizations and manufacturer patient assistance programs.
• She highlights TAF's unique features, such as offering assistance for the entire calendar year and the importance of patient referrals.
• Danielle Vizcaino provides details on how patients can qualify for TAF assistance, including eligibility requirements and the importance of checking the website for new programs.

Common Diseases and TAF's Support

• Hillary Blackburn asks about the most common diseases TAF supports, and Danielle Vizcaino mentions rare diseases, oncology, immunology, and respiratory conditions.
• Danielle Vizcaino shares specific examples of rare diseases TAF helps with, such as Duchenne muscular dystrophy and hypophosphatasia.
• She discusses the importance of TAF's support for patients with life-changing diseases and the role of donors in funding these efforts.
• Danielle Vizcaino encourages individuals to check TAF's website for new programs and to continue monitoring for new opportunities for assistance.

Founding Story and Funding of TAF

• Hillary Blackburn asks about TAF's founding story and how the organization supports patients across the country.
• Danielle Vizcaino explains that TAF was founded in 2009 by specialty pharmacists who recognized a need in the space.
• She highlights TAF's growth from a small organi...