House approves bill to keep thousands of seniors in PACE/PACENET programs
Rep. Frank Burns January 27, 2014
HARRISBURG, Jan. 27 – State Rep. Frank Burns, D-Cambria/Somerset, voted for a bill passed by the House today that would preserve PACE and PACENET coverage through 2015 for seniors who were eligible for the programs before receiving a Social Security cost-of-living increase that pushed them over their program's income limits.
Burns said the bill (H.B. 777) would be expected to help about 40,000 senior citizens keep their prescription drug coverage.
"Seniors began receiving a 1.5 percent increase in their Social Security income on January first," Burns said. "Although welcome, that slight increase has the potential to knock thousands out of their prescription assistance program, which could make the drugs they need to stay healthy unaffordable. This bill would make sure that doesn't happen."
The current COLA moratorium, which Burns voted for in 2010, expired at the end of 2013.
The bill also would let PACE and PACENET applicants exclude the cost of their Medicare Part B premiums from being counted as income. Those premiums, which cover certain doctors' services, outpatient care, medical supplies and preventive services, are automatically deducted from an individual's Social Security before the check is direct deposited.
Burns said that exclusion is estimated to be about $1,200 a year. That change would let an additional 8,200 seniors qualify for PACE or PACENET.
To be eligible for PACE, residents must be 65 or older, a Pennsylvania resident and have an income of $14,500 or less ($17,700 or less for a married couple). To be eligible for PACENET, residents must be 65 or older, a Pennsylvania resident and have an income between $14,500 and $23,500 ($17,700 to $31,500 for a married couple).
Burns' constituent offices offer information, applications and assistance with the PACE and PACENET programs.
The bill now goes to the Senate for consideration.