Pennsylvania Department of Aging Celebrates Pharmaceutical Assistance Program's 30th Anniversary

HARRISBURG, Pa., Oct. 8, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Pennsylvania Department of Aging today celebrated the 30th anniversary of the Pharmaceutical Assistance Contract for the Elderly Program (PACE) at an event in the Capitol.

The PACE program began providing comprehensive pharmaceutical assistance benefits to income eligible older Pennsylvanians in July 1984. In 1996, the Pharmaceutical Assistance Contract for the Elderly Needs Enhancement Tier (PACENET) was created to allow additional older adults to receive assistance. Since its beginning, PACE has provided 1.4 million individuals with assistance in paying for their medications.

"Many older Pennsylvanians have fixed incomes and find they are unable to afford the high cost of their medications," Secretary of Aging Brian Duke said. "The department's PACE program provides older Pennsylvanians in need with assistance for prescriptions that may be, in some cases, lifesaving for them."

During the PACE enrollment process, individuals are evaluated and also screened for eligibility for other state program benefits such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). Additionally, the program provides assistance through a clearinghouse to individuals who are not eligible for PACE or PACENET, but may need help paying for their prescription drugs.

The program also offers the Prescription Price Finder, which allows individuals to price their prescription medications in pharmacies in their area, assisting them in locating the lowest price.

"PACE is committed to providing more than pharmaceutical assistance to the more than 300,000 enrollees in the program," said Tom Snedden, director of the PACE program. "Since its beginning, PACE has kept its focus on helping enroll older Pennsylvanians to stay healthy and age well in their communities."

The program works with physicians and pharmacists across the state to promote better coordination in prescribing pharmaceutical medications for older adults. It also partners with Harvard University in developing educational programs for health care providers in prescribing medications for older adults.

PACE receives funding through the Pennsylvania Lottery. Since the program began in 1984, the Lottery has contributed $8.3 billion, providing funding for more than 300 million prescriptions that benefited older Pennsylvanians

For more information on the PACE Program benefits and to enroll, call 1-800-225-7223 or visit www.aging.state.pa.us

Media contact: Christina Reese, 717-783-1550

SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Aging