Oct. 23, 2018
HARRISBURG – The governor today signed into law legislation, authored by Rep. Frank Farry (R-Bucks), to increase the income eligibility guidelines for the PACENET program, extending prescription drug coverage to more than 17,000 older Pennsylvanians.
The PACE and PACENET programs provide low-cost prescription drugs to nearly 282,000 Pennsylvanians age 65 and older. Both programs are funded from proceeds of the Pennsylvania Lottery.
“The PACENET program allows qualified seniors to purchase prescription medication at reduced costs,” said Farry. “Increasing the income limits will allow more than 17,000 people to enter the program and purchase affordable medication needed for them to live healthier, more active lives.”
Act 87 increases the annual maximum income limits in the PACENET program to $27,500 for a single person and to $35,500 for a married couple. Current maximum income requirements for the PACENET program, which covers those individuals with incomes exceeding PACE maximums, are $23,500 for a single individual and $31,500 for a married couple annually.
This marks the first increase in the program since 2004.
“The income limits haven’t changed in 14 years. That’s quite a long time both for seniors who are currently in the program and risk disqualification due to a change in income and for seniors who are trying to enroll in the program for the first time,” Farry said.
Additionally, the legislation allows two new pharmacy-based programs to be developed under the PACE program to assist seniors in monitoring their prescription drug usage.
“This expansion would be a long overdue enhancement of what already is regarded as one of the nation’s best prescription drug assistance programs,” Farry said.
Savings achieved in other areas allow the program expansion to occur without additional costs on enrollees or additional funds from the Pennsylvania Lottery or taxpayers.
Representative Frank Farry
142nd District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Abbey Haslam
717.260.6222
ahaslam@pahousegop.com
RepFarry.com