PA Aging Dept Says PACE Plus Medicare "Successfully Implemented"

In a Press Release issued October 2, 2006 and found online here, the Pennsylvania Department of Aging indicates a successful implementation of its "PACE Plus Medicare" program that integrates the new Part "D" prescription drug program into Pennsylvania's "Pharmaceutical Assistance Contract for the Elderly" (PACE) Program for senior citizens.

A description of the unmodified (prior) PACE Program is found here. Earlier this year, on January 26, 2006, Governor Rendell had announced the proposed "PACE Plus Medicare" Program, intended to combine state and federal drug plans, and to cover an additional 120,000 senior citizens. See that press release here.

The most recent Press Release reports on the implementation of the PACE Plus Medicare Program, which provided benefits beginning September 1, 2006:

Secretary of Aging Nora Dowd Eisenhower today called the implementation of the nation’s most comprehensive prescription assistance program for older adults, PACE Plus Medicare, a success. Since benefits began on Sept. 1, the program has reported that all PACE Plus Medicare cardholders have continued to receive their medications without interruption.

“When the federal government launched the Medicare Part D program earlier this year, many consumers were forced to wait days for their prescriptions and several states – including Pennsylvania – had to provide emergency help,” said Secretary Nora Dowd Eisenhower.

“By comparison, the launch of Governor Rendell’s visionary PACE Plus Medicare program has been an overwhelming success; much to the delight of older Pennsylvanians who have directly benefited from our careful planning and work.”

The PACE/PACENET Enrollment Forms, together with program descriptions, are available online from the Department of Aging here.