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Pennsylvania

These resources – like the public health crisis itself – are constantly evolving and are only current as to the date of publication. This page was last updated on August 13, 2020.

For more up-to-date information on the relief programs available in Pennsylvania, we recommend that you visit Responding to COVID-19 in Pennsylvania, the United Way's COVID-19 Resources or the Pennsylvania Chamber's Business Resources for Coronavirus.

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Description of Program and Relief

Pharmaceutical Assistance Contract for the Elderly (PACE) Program Assistance with Refill Extensions

The Pharmaceutical Assistance Contract for the Elderly (PACE) Program offers low-cost prescription medications toPennsylvania residents age 65 and older, subject to financial eligibility requirements. The program was in place prior to the COVID-19 crisis, but has been adjusted to provide greater assistance to program enrollees who need more help during the pandemic. The program now allows enrollees to have their medications delivered to their homes for free. Additionally, while enrollees previously could not receive reimbursement for prescription refills until they had used 75% of their existing supply, this restriction has been removed in response to the COVID-19 crisis.

Government or Lead Agency

Pennsylvania Department of Aging

Dates Available

Effective March 5, 2020, to continue indefinitely

Eligibility Requirements/Restrictions

Standard eligibility rules apply. To be eligible for the PACE Program, an individual must:

  • Be age 65 or older,

  • Have been a resident of Pennsylvania for at least 90 days before applying,

  • Have a total income of under $14,500 per year (single persons) or $17,700 (combined income of married persons), and

  • Not be enrolled in the Pennsylvania Department of Human Service's Medicaid prescription benefit program.

  • The eligibility requirements can be found online here.

  • Typically, PACE Program enrollees cannot use the program to refill their prescription refills until they have used 75% of their existing supply. As noted above, this restriction has been relaxed to help ensure that enrollees are able to secure the medications that they need during the COVID-19 crisis. However, some restrictions may continue to apply to prescriptions for controlled substances, which are to be addressed on a case-by-case basis.

Contact for More Information

PACE Program enrollees who wish to take advantage of the above relief must have their pharmacy provider contact PACE at (800) 835-8040. PACE will be receiving calls 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

If PACE Program enrollees have difficulty obtaining prescription refills, they may contact PACE Cardholder Services at (800) 225-7223.

List of Additional Information

The Department of Aging press release announcing this relief, dated March 19, 2020, is available online here.

A general overview of the PACE program, including eligibility requirements, is available here.

The PACE Program application is available online. The application, together with instructions and tools to assist residents in completing the relevant paperwork, is here.


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