Senate News Update
From Senator Jane Earll
January 10, 2005

PACE Applications Now Easier to Complete

Beginning in 2005, Pennsylvania's PACE and PACENET prescription assistance programs for older adults will streamline paperwork requirements for enrollees, according to Secretary of Aging Nora Dowd Eisenhower. 

"This change is designed to make it easier for existing enrollees to remain eligible for coverage and for new enrollees to join," said Secretary Dowd Eisenhower. "Governor Ed Rendell is doing everything in his power to ensure that as many people as possible receive prescription assistance under these important programs." 

Effective Jan. 1, PACE and PACENET will no longer require age, residence and income documentation to be included with the application upon submittal. However, applicants still must certify that they have reported complete and accurate information on their applications.

Currently, nearly 11 percent of existing PACE/PACENET enrollees do not submit re-enrollment applications each year, possibly because they may have difficulty obtaining and producing copies of the required documentation.  In addition, nearly 25 percent of new enrollment applications lack the required documentation. 

To verify eligibility for enrollees, PACE/PACENET has established data exchanges with various other agencies, including the U.S. Social Security Administration, the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue, and the Pennsylvania State Employees' Retirement System. If applicants have incorrectly reported eligibility information, they may be asked to reimburse the program for any benefits for which they were ineligible. 

Launched in 1984, the Pharmaceutical Assistance Contract for the Elderly, more commonly known as PACE, currently covers more than 192,000 older Pennsylvanians.  PACENET was created in 1996 to assist older adults whose incomes fall just above PACE limits but who still may need assistance paying for prescription drugs. Nearly 98,000 older Pennsylvanians are currently enrolled in PACENET. The Pennsylvania Lottery funds both programs. 

To be eligible for PACE or PACENET, an applicant must be 65 or older and a resident of Pennsylvania for at least 90 days prior to the date of application.  For PACE, the combined income for married applicants must not exceed $17,700 and the annual income for single applicants must not exceed $14,500 during the calendar year prior to application. PACE enrollees are responsible for co-payments of $6 for generic medications and $9 for brand name medications. 

PACENET income ranges are between $17,700 and $31,500 for married couples and $14,500 to $23,500 for single persons.  Enrollees are responsible for a $40 monthly deductible before the program begins reimbursing for prescriptions. In addition, PACENET enrollees must pay an $8 co-payment for generic medications and $15 for brand name medications. 

More information about PACE and PACENET is available on the Internet at www.aging.state.pa.us, or by calling, toll-free, 1-800-225-7223.

As always, if you have any questions on this or any other state government matter, please do not hesitate to contact my office directly at (814) 453-2515.