The Apprise program assists older adults with the complexities of
the health insurance system. Services include information on health
insurance benefits, Medicare and Medicaid eligibility, claims filing,
telephone assistance, consumer protection, referral to other resources,
Property Tax and Rent Rebate, fuel assistance, PACE, and PACENET,
housing, food stamps, and advocacy.

PACE (Pharmaceutical Assistance Contract for the Elderly):
Eligible persons age 65 and older can obtain prescribed
medicine and insulin equipment from pharmacies at a cost of
$6.00 per prescription. PACE pays the balance of the cost.

To be eligible for PACE a single person who has been a resident of
Pennsylvania for at least 90 days must have had an annual income of
$14,500.00. For married couples the maximum annual income must be
less than $17,700.00.

  *Income guidelines are subject to change from year to year.
  Call ASI for most recent guidelines.

PACENET: Extends the eligibility income limits another
$2,000.00 for a single person with an income between
$14,500.00 and $23,500.00 and for married couples with an
income between $17,700.00 and $31,500.00. Once enrolled
in PACENET, individuals begin to have their prescription
expensed credited toward a $500.00 per person deductible.
After the deductible is met, PACENET will reimburse
prescriptions for a co-pay of $8.00 for generic drugs and
$15.00 for brand name drugs.

  *Income guidelines are subject to change from year to year.
  Call ASI for most recent guidelines.

HEALTH INSURANCE

There are many types of insurance programs available for
Pennsylvanians aged 65 and older. Below is a listing of the
most common health insurance programs. For specific
information about these programs or questions about other
health insurance policies contact the ASI Apprise Counselor.

 *Medicare Part A (Hospital insurance) helps pay for
  inpatient hospital care, psychiatric hospital care, medically
  necessary skilled nursing facility care following a hospital
  stay, home health care, and hospice care.

  *Medicare Part B (Medical insurance) helps pay for doctor’s
  services, outpatient hospital services, and various medical
  services and supplies.

 *Medicare Managed Care plans are prepaid plans (mostly
  HMO’s) that contract with Medicare and provide or arrange
  for all Medicare-covered services. Some plans offer
  additional benefits, such as dental care, prescription drugs
  and hearing aids.

 *Medicare Supplement Insurance, or Medigap insurance, is
  regulated by federal and state law. There are 10 standard
  benefit plans which are designed to complement Medicare’s
  benefits.

  *Medicaid (Medical Assistance) pays, without cost or bills to
  the individual, many medical expenses including physician’s
  services; psychiatric care, nursing facility care; laboratory;
  x-ray and clinic services; and hospitalization. Coverage
  varies according to each person’s situation. You must meet
  certain income guidelines.

 *Healthy Horizons ensures adequate health care for elderly
  and disabled persons with low incomes, and allows more
  spendable income by paying Medicare premiums. There
  are various levels of benefits and you must meet specific
  income guidelines.

Pennsylvania Senior Games: Any Pennsylvania resident age 50
or older can compete in various indoor and outdoor sports to
try to win a gold, silver or bronze medal. The games are held
during the summer at Shippensburg University.
Call 1-888-445-4559 for information.

Federal Income Tax Preparation Assistance: Free tax
preparation assistance is offered each year from February
through April at sites throughout the county. The preparations
are done by trained volunteers through VITA (Volunteer
Income Tax Assistance Program) or TCE (Tax Counseling for
the Elderly). Contact ASI in December for dates and locations.

Property Tax and Rent Rebate Program: This program is
available to those persons permanently disabled 18 years of
age and up, widow/widower 50 to 64 years of age and all
persons over the age of 65. This program enables a person
living on a limited income to receive a refund of some part of
the money he/she paid for property taxes or rent during a
calendar year. Payments range to $500.00, depending on
income and amount of taxes or rent paid. Contact ASI for
specific guidelines.

Reduced Vehicle Registration: Retired persons receiving Social
Security or other pension benefits with an annual income of no
more than $19,200.00 and a vehicle weighing no more than
9,000 pounds gross weight are eligible to receive their
registration for $10.00.

Auto Insurance Discount: Persons age 55 or older will receive
a discount on auto insurance upon completion of one of three
approved mature driver improvement courses. The courses
are conducted by AARP, American Automobile Association
(AAA) and the National Safety Council.

Veterans’ Services: The Pennsylvania Department of Military
and Veterans Affairs administers a variety of programs to
assist veterans and their families. Each program has its own
eligibility requirements. Contact the local Department of
Veterans Affairs at 724-465-3815.

Our Apprise Counselors can assist you with these programs.
Should you feel you do not qualify for the programs listed, but
still need help, please contact us because there may be other
prescription and health insurance programs available to you.
You can reach the Apprise Counselors
by calling 724-349-4500 or 1-800-442-8016,
Monday through Friday, 8:30 am until 4:30 pm.