Click on other tabs above for information about legal aid providers and courts in your area. Below is legal information on this sub-topic. You can localize this information by clicking on the"Choose Another Location" link in the right column and selecting the area where you live.
PA Health Law Project Toll-Free Helpline - Call: 1-800-274-3258 The PA Health Law Project provides free legal services and advocacy to Pennsylvanians having trouble accessing publicly funded health care coverage or services. For assistance, call the PHLP Helpline at 1-800-274-3258 or 1-866-236-6310 TTY or e-mail the PHLP at staff@phlp.org. Information from the PHLP is also available online at www.phlp.org.
By: Pennsylvania Health Law Project
Online Applications, Benefit Screening, Resources and Forms
PA Health Insurance Eligibility QuickScreen
(Separate Website)
This is a screening tool that the PA Health Law Project has designed, based upon the State's eligibility rules, to help you to figure out if you may be eligible for free or low-cost health care coverage. It is not an official determination of eligibility nor an application for coverage.
By: Pennsylvania Health Law Project
Partnership for Prescription Assistance - Search for Prescription Programs
(Separate Website)
The Partnership for Prescription Assistance brings together America's pharmaceutical companies, doctors, other health care providers, patient advocacy organizations and community groups to help 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.
By: Partnership for Prescription Assistance Program
Information from the Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network
Know Your Health Care Rights!!
(Separate Website)
Statement of consumer health care rights.
By: Pennsylvania Health Law Project
Can't Afford Your Hospital Bills? -- Know Your Rights
(Separate Website)
Information on resources to help you pay for hospital bills.
By: Pennsylvania Health Law Project
How to Obtain Mental Health and Drug & Alcohol Services in Pennsylvania
(Separate Website)
Informatin on how to obtain mental health services and how to pay for them.
By: Pennsylvania Health Law Project
Power of Attorney in Pennsylvania
Information on what is a Power of Attorney (POA), guidelines when selecting an agent, what happens if I become mentally unable to make my own decisions, when does it go into effect, when does it end, and the process involved in setting up a POA.
By: Northwestern Legal Services
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
Sample - Requesting a Copy of Your Medical Records
(Separate Website)
Sample letter that can be used to obtain your medical records.
By: Pennsylvania Health Law Project
How to Obtain Mental Health and Drug & Alcohol Services in Pennsylvania
(Separate Website)
Booklet explaining how to obtain services under various programs in Pennsylvania.
By: Pennsylvania Health Law Project
Health Care Coverage When Leaving or Switching Jobs - Guide for Advocates
(Separate Website)
General overview of the rules for moving from one employer health plan to another or for moving from an employer plan to an individual health care plan.
By: Pennsylvania Health Law Project
The Many Doors to Consumer Empowerment - A Guide to Advocacy for Mental Health Consumers in Pennsylvania
(Separate Website)
This guide was created to help people in Pennsylvania who are dealing with mental illness learn about the mental health system and when, where, and how you can shape it -- if you choose to.
By: Pennsylvania Health Law Project
FOR IMMIGRANTS: What should I do if I need to see a doctor?
(Separate Website)
Information for immigrants needing health care.
By: Pennsylvania Health Law Project
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
Prisoners' Rights Handbook
(Separate Website)
A handbook which provides an overview of the rights of prisoners.
By: Pennsylvania Institutional Law Project
Confidentiality of HIV-related information
(Separate Website)
Information on federal and state laws requiring that a person?s HIV status be kept confidential.
By: AIDS Law Project of Pennsylvania
Medical Consent: A New Tool for Grandparents and Others Caring for Children
(Separate Website)
Information on the Medical Consent Act, which allows a parent or legal custodian to authorize another person to consent to medical, dental or mental health care for children by completing and signing a simple document.
By: SeniorLAW Center (Philadelphia)
Confidentiality of Mental Health Records
(Separate Website)
This Fact Sheet briefly addresses the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and Pennsylvania regulations relating to confidentiality.
By: Disability Rights Network of Pennsylvania
Mental Retardation Commitment Procedures (PDF)
(Separate Website)
This fact sheet briefly addresses the procedures and standards that apply to commitments of adults with mental retardation.
By: Disability Rights Network of Pennsylvania
Private Disability Insurance
(Separate Website)
This fact sheet contains general information about private disability insurance.
By: Disability Rights Network of Pennsylvania
Information from Bar Associations and Other Legal Organizations
Privacy / HIPAA Issues
(Separate Website)
Information that was discussed by Attorney Whitney Hughes on the September 11, 2007 edition of Legal Briefs on KDKA's Pittsburgh Today Live Show.
By: Allegheny County Bar Association
Advance Health Care Declarations (Living Will)
(Separate Website)
Consumer information pamphlet from the Pennsylvania Bar Association.
By: Pennsylvania Bar Association
Living Will and Healthcare Power of Attorney
(Separate Website)
Information on living wills and healthcare powers of attorney.
By: Allegheny County Bar Association
Legal Briefs: Elder Law (Video)
(Separate Website)
Information presented on the October 24, 2006 edition of Legal Briefs on KDKA-TV's Pittsburgh Today Live Show. (5:52)
By: Allegheny County Bar Association
Consumer's Tool Kit for Health Care Advance Planning
(Separate Website)
This Tool Kit contains a variety of self-help worksheets, suggestions, and resources to help you discover, clarify, and communicate what is important to you in the face of serious illness so that you can decide what you need in an advance directive for health care.
By: American Bar Association Commission on Law and Aging
Legal Guide for the Seriously Ill
(Separate Website)
The "Legal Guide for the Seriously Ill" is designed for both the seriously ill individual and those caring for someone who is seriously ill. The guide explains "Seven Key Steps" in a brief, clear way while offering additional tips and resources for readers looking for more detailed information and guidance.
By: American Bar Association Commission on Law and Aging
Making Medical Decisions for Someone Else
(Separate Website)
This booklet describes in simple terms what it?s like to be a health care proxy, what to do while there?s still time to think about it, how to make the hard decisions, and where to get help.
By: American Bar Association Commission on Law and Aging
healthfinder® - your guide to reliable health information
(Separate Website)
healthfinder® is an award-winning Federal Web site, developed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services together with other Federal agencies. Since 1997, healthfinder® has been recognized as a key resource for finding the best government and nonprofit health and human services information on the Internet. healthfinder® links to carefully selected information and Web sites from over 1,700 health-related organizations.
By: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
Pension and Health Care Coverage, Q&As for Dislocated Workers
(Separate Website)
Information regarding what could happen to your health and pension benefits if you lose your job or your hours are reduced below full-time.
By: United States Department of Labor
Hospital Compare - A quality tool provided by Medicare
(Separate Website)
This tool provides you with information on how well the hospitals in your area care for all their adult patients with certain medical conditions. This information will help you compare the quality of care hospitals provide.
By: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Department of Health and Human Services Fact Sheets
(Separate Website)
Informational fact sheets on a variety of topics.
By: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Consumer Health Information
(Separate Website)
Informational brochures on a number of health topics from the Federal Consumer Information Center.
By: Federal Consumer Information Center
Office of Medical Assistance Programs
(Separate Website)
Agency website. Office oversees the Medical Assistance program in Pennsylvania.
By: Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare
Mental Health Services
(Separate Website)
Program website with information helpful to consumers and families with mental health issues.
By: Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare
Intellectual Disabilities Services
(Separate Website)
Informaton on the intellectual and developmental disability service system in Pennsylvania.
By: Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare
Pennsylvania's Adoption Medical History Registry
(Separate Website)
Information on the registry, which is operated by the Department of Public Welfare. The registry serves as a central repository for collecting and storing birth family medical information and adoptee requests. Registry services are available for all adoptions of Pennsylvania-born adoptees.
By: Pennsylvania Adoption Exchange
Benefits For People With Disabilities
(Separate Website)
Comprehensive listing of the many social security programs available to people with disabilities. Information on how to apply, on-line forms, and a link to the benefit eligibility screening tool.
By: Social Security Administration
Health Privacy: A Fact Sheet for Pennsylvania Consumers
(Separate Website)
Information on your right to privacy in health information collected on applications from filing claims, and during other insurance transactions.
By: Pennsylvania Insurance Department
Fact Sheet: Privacy and Your Health Information [PDF]
(Separate Website)
Information about federal protections regarding the privacy of your health information.
By: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Fact Sheet: Your Health Information Privacy Rights [PDF]
(Separate Website)
Information about the privacy of your health information
By: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Pennsylvania Health Care Facilities Search
(Separate Website)
Search aid to help you locate health facilities in Pennsylvania.
By: Pennsylvania Department of Health
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We do not intend this information to legal advice. By providing this information, we are not acting as your lawyer. If you need legal advice, you should contact a lawyer through your local legal aid organization. Always talk to a competent lawyer, if you can, before taking legal action.
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PALawHELP.org is provided as a public service by the Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network, the Pennsylvania Bar Association and the Legal Services Corporation.
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