Finding Health Insurance & Medication Assistance
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If you have access to the internet, listed below are some websites that will give you information about the different
Patient Assistance Programs available to you.
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Access to health insurance is important to all Americans. However, people who have chronic health
conditions sometimes find it difficult to obtain health insurance, particularly if they are unemployed
or unable to work. People with epilepsy are also often faced with the extra burden of paying for their
own medicines to control their seizures. Fortunately, there are programs in Pennsylvania designed
to ensure that consumers have access to health insurance and receive their much-needed medicines
even when they cannot afford to pay for them.
Health Insurance
Medical Assistance
Some people are eligible for Medical Assistance through the PA Department of Public Welfare (Medicaid).
To qualify for Medicaid, one must meet the income and other requirements set by the PA Department of
Public Welfare. To find out more, or to see what the requirements are, contact the PA Welfare Information
Helpline at 1-800-692-7462. If you have access to a computer with the internet, you can apply online at
the COMPASS website by clicking here.
Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)
In addition, Pennsylvania has a state children’s health insurance program called Children’s
Health Insurance Program (CHIP) that extends Medicaid coverage to children whose parents’ income
is too high to qualify them for Medicaid. This program does have prescription drug coverage for children.
For more information on this program, or to apply, call 1-800-986-5437. If you have access to a computer
with the internet, you can apply online by clicking
here.
Help Paying for Medicines
If you do not have health insurance and/or your health insurance does not include prescription drug coverage,
help may be available.
PACE/PACENET
Many of Pennsylvania’s senior citizens are eligible for a prescription drug program called PACE/PACENET.
These programs are administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Aging and offer comprehensive prescription
coverage to older Pennsylvanians to cover the cost of most medications that require prescriptions, including insulin,
syringes and insulin needles. These programs do not cover over-the-counter medicines, medical equipment or
doctor, hospital, dental or vision services. There are no premiums or monthly fees charged to people who enroll in
these programs.
You can learn more about PACE and PACENET and even enroll in these programs on-line by visiting the Department
of Aging website at www.aging.state.pa.us or call
1-800-225-7223.
Pharmaceutical Company Patient Assistance Programs
Many pharmaceutical companies also offer Patient Assistance Programs for people who cannot afford the cost
of medications and have household income too high to be eligible for Medicaid. For a list of pharmaceutical
assistance programs for some of the most commonly prescribed epilepsy medicines,
click here.
If you do not have access to the internet, you can always call the Epilepsy Foundation Western/Central
Pennsylvania at 1-800-361-5885 (Western PA) or 1-800-336-0301 (Central PA) for help enrolling in a
Patient Assistance Program.
Copyright © 2003 Epilepsy Foundation Western/Central Pennsylvania.
An Independently Incorporated Affiliate of the Epilepsy Foundation of America. •
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