APPRISE (a service of the Pennsylvania Area Agencies on Aging)

Website:

800-344-4319

Description:

APPRISE is a free health insurance counseling program designed to help Pennsylvanians age 60 and over with health insurance concerns.

APPRISE counselors are specially trained volunteers who can answer questions about Medicare, provide objective, easy-to-understand information about health insurance in the following areas:

• Medicare - Coverage, claims, and billing questions
• Medicare Supplement - Selecting a "medigap" policy
• Help to examine the pros and cons of HMOs versus “fee for service” plans
• Long-term Care Insurance - Information on the various policies
• Other Insurance - Medical Assistance or Healthy Horizons

APPRISE Counselors Can Help You:

• Decide if a Medicare HMO is right for you by explaining the way Medicare HMO's work.
• Understand your Medicare benefits by explaining what services are covered under Medicare parts A and B and your Medicare Summary Notice.
• Select a Medigap insurance policy by explaining the benefits offered under each plan and by providing you with a list of companies that sell Medigap plans.
• Obtain assistance to pay for your prescription drugs by telling you about the government and private programs that offer this service, the eligibility requirements and how to apply.
• Find government programs that will pay your Medicare deductibles, co-payments and Part B premiums and assist you in filling out the paperwork.
• Understand Long-term care by explaining which government programs pay for Long-term care and the eligibility requirements and private Long-term care insurance and how to select the best policy for you.

APPRISE Counselors are also located at UPMC St. Margaret Classic Care

BenefitsCheckUpRx

Website:

http://www.benefitscheckup.org

Description:

BenefitsCheckUpRx is a free and completely confidential service of the National Council on the Aging designed to help you identify and enroll in pubic and private programs that help you save the most money on prescription drugs. It does not require your name, address, phone number, or Social Security number. BenefitsCheckUpRx was developed to address a problem: millions of older adults are eligible for benefits, but are not receiving them.

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

Phone:

800-638-6833

Website:

http://www.cms.hhs.gov

Healthy Horizons Program

Phone:

800-842-2020

Description:

Coordinated by Area Agencies on Aging, Healthy Horizons Program is special medical assistance program for elderly and disabled persons with low incomes. Benefit levels:

• Healthy Horizons Categorically Needy Program which pays medical benefits including prescriptions, doctor or clinic visits, dental and eye care; Medicare premiums; and Part A and B deductibles and coinsurance
• Healthy Horizons Medicare Cost-Sharing Program which pays only Medicare premiums and Part A and B deductibles and coinsurance
• Healthy Horizons Specified Low Income Medicare Beneficiary Program which pays only the Medicare Part B monthly premium.

Eligibility for the Healthy Horizons Programs is based on income.

Medicare Rights

Phone:

212-869-3850

Website:

http://www.medicarerights.org

Description:

The MRC is a not-for-profit, non-governmental organization dedicated to ensuring that older adults and people with disabilities get good, affordable health care. The MRC website is a helpful, reliable, independent source of Medicare information for consumers and professionals.

NeedyMeds
P. O. Box 63716
Philadelphia, PA 19147

Phone:

215-625-9609

Website:

http://www.needymeds.com

Description:

There is help available for the many millions of people who have no insurance and can't afford to purchase their medicines. NeedyMeds is the place to learn about patient assistance programs and other programs designed to help those who can't afford their medicines. NeedyMeds is not a program. It's an information source.

Pennsylvania Association of Area Agencies on Aging
3540 N. Progress Ave, Suite 101
Harrisburg, PA 17110

Phone:

717-541-4214

Website:

http://www.p4a.org/

Description:

Pennsylvania Association of Area Agencies on Aging has come to represent both the best interests of older Pennsylvanians and its AAA membership by fostering collaboration in areas of advocacy, leadership, training and policy. Each county has specific information listed about services and contacts within this association.

Pennsylvania Department of Aging (PDA)
555 Walnut Street, 5th Floor
Harrisburg, PA 17101-1919

Phone:

717-783-1550
866-286-3636 (Long-term Care Helpline)

Website:

http://www.aging.state.pa.us/

Description:

The PDA Website outlines services and programs and offers assistance and opportunities for older Pennsylvanians. PDA programs and services empower older adults and their families to make choices for themselves. Most of these services are provided by the state’s 52 Area Agencies on Aging (AAA). The department also assists eligible older adults in paying for prescriptions and medical supplies.

Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare (DPW)

Phone:

717-787-1870
800-692-7462 (Helpline)

Website:

http://www.dpw.state.pa.us

Description:

The DPW is charged with numerous program areas. The DPW oversees all Children, Youth & Families, Mental Health, Mental Retardation, Income Maintenance, Medical Assistance Programs and Social Programs. The department regulates senior-living facilities. Through the County Assistance Offices, DPW administers the General Assistance program, food stamps and other services.

A listing of all licensed personal care homes in the state can be obtained through the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare, Personal Care Licensing office “Personal Home Care Facility On-Line Directory”. The department can also provide information about licensing and compliance.

Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare (DPW)
Office of Medical Assistance Programs
Health & Welfare Building, Room 515
P.O. Box 2675
Harrisburg, PA 17105-2675

Phone:

717-787-1870
800-692-7462 (Helpline)

Website:

http://www.dpw.state.pa.us/omap/dpwomap.asp

Description:

This office has information about Pennsylvania programs that pay health and nursing home costs for people with low incomes and limited resources. The office also provides assistance in paying for prescriptions.

Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare (DPW)
Office of Social Programs
Health & Welfare Building, Room 533,
PO Box 2675
Harrisburg, PA 17105-2675

Phone:

717-787-3438

Website:

http://www.dpw.state.pa.us

Description:

The OSP is one of six program offices within the Department of Public Welfare. It offers information about county initiatives and personal care homes.

Pharmaceutical Assistance Contract for the Elderly (PACE) &
Pharmaceutical Assistance Contract for the Elderly Needs Enhanced Tier (PACENET)

Phone:

800-225-7223

Website:

http://www.aging.state.pa.us/aging/cwp/view.asp?a=3

Description:

Through participating pharmacies, PACE makes prescription drugs, as well as insulin and insulin needles and syringes, available to eligible Pennsylvania residents with a copay per prescription.

PACENET offers the same benefits as PACE but is for people with incomes higher than those of PACE participants. PACENET participants pay annual per-person deductibles and small copayments.

RxAssist
Volunteers in Health Care
111 Brewster Street
Pawtucket, RI 02860

Phone:

877-844-8442

Website:

http://www.rxassist.org/

Description:

RxAssist provides doctors and other health care providers with the information they need to access these programs.

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
451 7th Street S.W.
Washington, DC 20410

Phone:

202-708-1112

Website:

http://www.hud.gov/groups/seniors.cfm

Description:

Financial assistance resources and guides for making the right choice in housing options for yourself, an aging parent, relative, or friend.

U.S. Veterans Administration, Department of Veteran Affairs

Phone:

877-222-8387 (877-222-VETS)

Website:

http://www.va.gov/

Description:

Find out if you are eligible for benefits, how to apply, and what it will cost, then complete an application form online or contact the VA Health Benefits Service Center.