The Senate approved a plan on Tuesday (June 22) to expand senior access to prescription drugs, according to Senator Dan Laughlin, who supported the bill.
Senate Bill 668 makes the following changes to the PACENET program:
- Expands the income eligibility of the program by $6,000 for both individuals and married couples;
- Removes the requirement that a PACENET cardholder pay a monthly premium; and
- Provides the department with discretion to have cardholders enrolled in a Medicare Part D plan that meets their prescription needs.
The anticipated savings from enrolling eligible PACENET individuals in Medicare Part D plans will provide enough savings to cover the cost of the income expansion. PACENET was established in 1996 to provide additional prescription drug benefits to Pennsylvanians age 65 and older. Eligibility for the program is based on income.
The bill now goes to the House of Representatives for consideration.
Contact: Matt Azeles mazeles@pasen.gov