PA MEDI Counselors Can Help You

Effective July 1, 2021, APPRISE is now Pennsylvania Medicare Education and Decision Insight, PA MEDI – Same Program, Same Services for Pennsylvania’s Medicare Beneficiaries, now with a new name.

PA MEDI is the State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) for Pennsylvanians age 60 and over. The Pennsylvania Department of Aging created PA MEDI to help older Pennsylvanians understand their health options under Medicare and make sound decisions about what is best for them.

PA MEDI counselors are specially trained volunteers. They can answer your questions about Original Medicare, Medicaid, Medigap, long term care insurance, and preventive care. These counselors have direct access to federal Medicare information and resources. PA MEDI counselors are not brokers but offer free, non-biased, confidential counseling.

• Help you understand your Original Medicare benefits by explaining which services are covered under Parts A and B and your Medicare Summary Notice.
• Help you make informed choices about Medicare coverage options.
• Help you understand the Medicare appeals process and assist with appeals paperwork.
• Help you select a Medigap insurance policy by explaining the benefits offered under each plan, and providing you with a list of companies that sell Medigap plans.
• Inform you about eligibility for prescription drug programs and programs that pay Medicare deductible payments, and Part B premiums.

PA MEDI is sponsored by Westmoreland County Community College Retired and Senior Volunteer Program and is funded, in part, under a contract with the Westmoreland Board of County Commissioners, Area Agency on Aging and the Pennsylvania Department of Aging and the Administration for Community Living.

Many decisions need to be made when you become eligible for Medicare. To assist you in making these informed decisions, information will be presented on Medicare benefits, Medicare Advantage options, Medigap plans and the Medicare prescription drug benefit. Information will be presented by the PA Medi Program which is a program of the Department of Aging. The program provides free information and counseling to anyone who is Medicare eligible. Call 724-925-4000 to register.

PA MEDI will hold free information and comparison events throughout the enrollment period.  Schedule an appointment to review your current coverage, compare your health and drug plans with other options, and determine eligibility for any cost saving programs.  PA MEDI offers impartial advice and does not endorse any insurance provider. Call 724-925-4213 to schedule an appointment.