This section of PALawHelp.org has information and resources about issues relating to Prescription Drug Programs in Pennsylvania.
Click on a resource category listed below to see information related to that category.
How to Obtain Mental Health and Drug & Alcohol Services in Pennsylvania
A guide from the Pennsylvania Health Law Project explaining how to obtain Mental Health Services and Drug & Alcohol Services under various programs in Pennsylvania. [PDF]
Choosing a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan
Information from the Pennsylvania Health Law Project to consider when selecting your Medicare prescription drug plan. (October 2011) [PDF]
Medicare Part D Extra Help Guide - 2024
Information from the Pennsylvania Health Law Project about the Medicare Part D Extra Help Program (also called the Low-Income Subsidy or “LIS”) that helps Medicare consumers dramatically lower their prescription drug costs and can help individuals save thousands of dollars per year. Anyone who has Medicare and gets any help from Medicaid should automatically get Extra Help and doesn’t need to apply. This includes people whose only Medicaid benefit is the payment of the Medicare Part B premium. People who automatically get Extra Help will get a letter about this that is on purple paper. All other Medicare beneficiaries need to apply to the Social Security Administration (SSA) to get this help.
Medicare Part D Extra Help (Video)
In this video, the Pennsylvania Health Law Project explains a program called Extra Help which helps with Medicare prescription drug costs. The Extra Help program is also known as the Low Income Subsidy (LIS).
2024 Medicare Part D Standard Zero Premium Prescription Drug Plans
In Pennsylvania, all dual eligible and those approved for full Extra Help with their Part D costs will have no premium if they enroll in any of the plans listed in the PDF below. This list was composed by The Pennsylvania Health Law Project.
Help With Prescription Drug Costs
Medicare beneficiaries can qualify for Extra Help paying for their monthly premiums, annual deductibles, and co-payments related to Medicare prescription drug coverage. See if you qualify and how to apply in the link below
Medicare Drug Plan Finder
The Medicare Drug Plan Finder from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services can help you find and compare Medicare prescription drug plans in your area.
Medicare.gov: Prescription Drug Coverage (Part D)
Information on the Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit from Medicare.gov.
Medicare Prescription Drug Donut Hole
Explanation of Medicare Prescription Drug Donut Hole from HealthCare.gov.
An Overview of the Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Benefit
This fact sheet provides an overview of the Medicare Part D program, plan availability, enrollment, and spending and financing, based on data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), CBO, and other sources. (Oct. 13, 2021)
PA MEDI (formely APPRISE)
Effective July 1, 2021, APPRISE is now Pennsylvania Medicare Education and Decision Insight or PA MEDI – Same Program, Same Services for Pennsylvania’s Medicare Beneficiaries, now with a New Name. Pennsylvania Medicare Education and Decision Insight (PA MEDI) offers free Medicare counseling to older Pennsylvanians. PA MEDI Counselors are specially trained to answer your questions and provide you with objective, easy-to-understand information about Medicare, Medicare Supplemental Insurance, Medicaid, and Long-Term Care Insurance. PA MEDI Counselors do not sell Medicare products but rather offer current, unbiased Medicare education to help you make the most informed choice about the Medicare options available to you.
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. The Toll Free Helpline is open on Mondays and Wednesdays beginning at 8:00 AM Eastern.
Help With Prescription Drug Costs
Medicare beneficiaries can qualify for Extra Help paying for their monthly premiums, annual deductibles, and co-payments related to Medicare prescription drug coverage. See if you qualify and how to apply in the link below
Medicare Drug Plan Finder
The Medicare Drug Plan Finder from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services can help you find and compare Medicare prescription drug plans in your area.
Benefits.gov
Benefits.gov is the official benefits website of the U.S. government whose mission is to increase citizen access to benefit information, while reducing the expense and difficulty of interacting with the government. It is a free, online confidential tool that helps you find government benefits you may be eligible to receive.
Help With Prescription Drug Costs
Medicare beneficiaries can qualify for Extra Help paying for their monthly premiums, annual deductibles, and co-payments related to Medicare prescription drug coverage. See if you qualify and how to apply in the link below
Apply for Prescription Drug Program (PACE and PACENET)
Pennsylvania’s prescription assistance programs for older adults, PACE and PACENET, offer low-cost prescription medication to qualified residents, age 65 and older.
Benefits.gov
Benefits.gov is the official benefits website of the U.S. government whose mission is to increase citizen access to benefit information, while reducing the expense and difficulty of interacting with the government. It is a free, online confidential tool that helps you find government benefits you may be eligible to receive.
Partnership for Prescription Assistance - Search for Prescription Programs
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.
Medicare Drug Plan Finder
The Medicare Drug Plan Finder from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services can help you find and compare Medicare prescription drug plans in your area.
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. The Toll Free Helpline is open on Mondays and Wednesdays beginning at 8:00 AM Eastern.
Choosing a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan
Information from the Pennsylvania Health Law Project to consider when selecting your Medicare prescription drug plan. (October 2011) [PDF]
Medicare Part D Extra Help Guide - 2024
Information from the Pennsylvania Health Law Project about the Medicare Part D Extra Help Program (also called the Low-Income Subsidy or “LIS”) that helps Medicare consumers dramatically lower their prescription drug costs and can help individuals save thousands of dollars per year. Anyone who has Medicare and gets any help from Medicaid should automatically get Extra Help and doesn’t need to apply. This includes people whose only Medicaid benefit is the payment of the Medicare Part B premium. People who automatically get Extra Help will get a letter about this that is on purple paper. All other Medicare beneficiaries need to apply to the Social Security Administration (SSA) to get this help.
Medicare Part D Extra Help (Video)
In this video, the Pennsylvania Health Law Project explains a program called Extra Help which helps with Medicare prescription drug costs. The Extra Help program is also known as the Low Income Subsidy (LIS).
2024 Medicare Part D Standard Zero Premium Prescription Drug Plans
In Pennsylvania, all dual eligible and those approved for full Extra Help with their Part D costs will have no premium if they enroll in any of the plans listed in the PDF below. This list was composed by The Pennsylvania Health Law Project.
How to Obtain Mental Health and Drug & Alcohol Services in Pennsylvania
A guide from the Pennsylvania Health Law Project explaining how to obtain Mental Health Services and Drug & Alcohol Services under various programs in Pennsylvania. [PDF]
Important Information About Your Medical Assistance Benefits
The Department of Public Welfare made a change to your Medical Assistance prescription drug benefit. You can get up to 6 prescriptions each month. This is a new limit. (2011)
Medicare Drug Plan Finder
The Medicare Drug Plan Finder from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services can help you find and compare Medicare prescription drug plans in your area.
Medicare.gov: Prescription Drug Coverage (Part D)
Information on the Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit from Medicare.gov.
Medicare Prescription Drug Donut Hole
Explanation of Medicare Prescription Drug Donut Hole from HealthCare.gov.
PA MEDI (formely APPRISE)
Effective July 1, 2021, APPRISE is now Pennsylvania Medicare Education and Decision Insight or PA MEDI – Same Program, Same Services for Pennsylvania’s Medicare Beneficiaries, now with a New Name. Pennsylvania Medicare Education and Decision Insight (PA MEDI) offers free Medicare counseling to older Pennsylvanians. PA MEDI Counselors are specially trained to answer your questions and provide you with objective, easy-to-understand information about Medicare, Medicare Supplemental Insurance, Medicaid, and Long-Term Care Insurance. PA MEDI Counselors do not sell Medicare products but rather offer current, unbiased Medicare education to help you make the most informed choice about the Medicare options available to you.
An Overview of the Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Benefit
This fact sheet provides an overview of the Medicare Part D program, plan availability, enrollment, and spending and financing, based on data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), CBO, and other sources. (Oct. 13, 2021)