Additional Resources

Looking for more information?

Listed below are some of the agencies, organizations, and programs available to assist Medicare recipients.

PACE / PACENET Program
Medicare Savings Program
Meals on Wheels
Heating Needs In the Winter (LIHEAP)
Property Tax/Rent Rebate
Food Stamp Program
Area Agencies on Aging
County Assistance Offices
Social Security Administration
Partnership for Prescription Assistance
Interpreter Services

PACE / PACENET Program

The Pharmaceutical Assistance Contract for the Elderly (PACE) and the PACE Needs Enhancement Tier (PACENET) assist eligible Pennsylvania residents who are 65 or older with payment for their prescription medicines. These programs are financed in large part by the Pennsylvania Lottery. The PACE and PACENET programs offer coverage for generic and brand name drugs with a minimal copayment for each covered prescription filled. If you would like applications for PACE and PACENET they are available on the Web or by calling PACE/PACENET Cardholder Services, toll-free, at 1-800-225-7223.

Medicare Savings Programs

The Medicare Savings Programs are offered by the Department of Public Welfare and are known in Pennsylvania as Healthy Horizons. These programs are designed for elderly/disabled individuals entitled to Medicare and who meet the information and asset eligibility limits. These limits vary slightly for each program. Depending on which program you qualify for, Healthy Horizons will pay your Medicare premiums for Part A and Part B, your Medicare deductibles, and/or copayments. Unfortunately, individuals who would benefit the most from these programs often do not know they exist or find the information confusing. If you are a Keystone 65 or a Personal Choice 65 member and would like to learn more about any of the programs mentioned able, contact us at 1-866-227-2178. If you are not a Keystone 65 or a Personal Choice 65 member, visit the federal government’s Medicare Savings Programs website for more information.

Meals on Wheels

There is an established connection between good nutrition and good health. Meals on Wheels helps seniors who might not be able to cook for themselves by delivering home-cooked meals to them for a small fee. Visit the Meals on Wheels Association of America website to locate a chapter nearest you.

Low-income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)

Keeping your home adequately heated in the winter can help you maintain good health. However, sometimes members of the senior community are overwhelmed with the high cost of health care combined with other expenses such as heating their homes. Fortunately there are programs than can help offset the cost of heating expenses. Once such program is LIHEAP, a federally funded program which enables the State to help qualified households meet their home heating needs.

To apply for LIHEAP you may:

Call or visit your local welfare office to set up an appointment.
Complete the printable application form, (available November 3, 2008) then mail it in.
Or, apply electronically online. Note: Some of the information you will need when applying online includes:

Names of people in the household
Social Security numbers for all household members
Proof of income for all household members
Recent heating bill

Property Tax/Rent Rebate

The Property Tax/Rent Rebate is sponsored by the Pennsylvania State Lottery and provides property tax or rent refunds to residents 65 and older, widows or widowers 50 or older, and the disabled 18 or over. For more information, or to receive the necessary applications, contact PA Department of Revenue’s local office at 215-560-2056 or 1-888-222-9190. Property Tax/Rent Rebate claim forms are also available online through the Department’s website.

Food Stamp Program

The Food Stamp Program benefits are available to individuals and their families who are receiving cash assistance. This program is also offered to people who may have sufficient income for their basic living costs but need help to purchase food. For more information, visit its website, or contact: PA Office of Income Maintenance at 717-783-3063.

Area Agencies on Aging

The Area Agencies on Aging (AAA) are the local representatives of the Pennsylvania Department of Aging. They implement the various programs for older Pennsylvanians. There are 52 such offices, serving all 67 counties. They are staffed with aging-care managers skilled in such areas as geriatrics, social work, and community resources. They can assist you with questions regarding nursing facilities, community services in nursing facility placement, and a wide range of other community services tailored to your specific needs. If they are unable to serve you directly, they will be able to provide guidance or refer you to where the assistance you need is available. (Source: Pennsylvania Department of Aging)

County Assistance Offices

Addresses and phone numbers of County Assistance Offices.

Social Security Administration

Find out how to contact the Social Security Administration by phone, email, or in person.

Partnership for Prescription Assistance

The Partnership for Prescription Assistance helps qualifying patients who lack prescription coverage get the medicines they need through the public or private program that’s right for them. Many will get them free or nearly free. Its mission is to increase awareness of patient assistance programs and boost enrollment of those who are eligible. Through this site, the Partnership for Prescription Assistance offers a single point of access to more than 475 public and private patient assistance programs, including more than 150 programs offered by pharmaceutical companies. Learn about the Partnership for Prescription Assistance on the Web.

Interpreter Services

The Interpreter Services program provides Keystone 65 and Personal Choice 65^SM members, upon request, with a translator or sign-language interpreter service as needed to facilitate communication between members and the plan or its non-facility providers and capitated sites. Interpreter Services consist of translation and sign-language services.

Services are for outpatient services only
The interpreter will meet the member at his or her doctor’s office
It takes up to two weeks to schedule an interpreter (special requests are available, such as for when a member has an appointment scheduled for the next day or in less than two weeks.
Services are free
Services are confidential
Members can request a male or female interpreter

Please contact us, if you have additional questions.

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