Centre County APPRISE

The APPRISE State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) is part of a national network funded by the Administration of Community Living. The APPRISE Program helps all Medicare beneficiaries residing in Pennsylvania understand their health insurance options by providing reliable, accurate, unbiased information regarding their health care choices. In addition, the APPRISE Program plays an advocacy role in assisting Medicare beneficiaries during an appeals process.

Local APPRISE Programs are engaged in the following activities on a daily basis by;

*Providing health insurance counseling and advocacy for Medicare beneficiaries in Pennsylvania in order to ensure they receive their entitled health care services.

*Educating beneficiaries on Medicare eligibility and enrollment.

*Educating beneficiaries on the benefits provided under all parts of Medicare.

*Educating beneficiaries on coverage available under Medigap policies, Medicare Advantage products and Medicare prescription drug plans.

*Assisting beneficiaries with enrollment into Medigap policies, Medicare Advantage products and Medicare prescription drug plans.

*Educating and/or assisting beneficiaries with the Medicare Appeal process.

*Informing beneficiaries about eligibility for prescription drug programs (other than Medicare) and programs that pay Medicare's premiums, deductibles, and copayments, such as the Extra Help Program (LIS) and Medicare Savings Program.

* Educating beneficiaries on Long-Term Care insurance.