How to apply for Living Independence for the Elderly (LIFE) — Pennsylvania's PACE Program

Who it's for

LIFE (Living Independence for the Elderly) is Pennsylvania's name for the federal Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) — a comprehensive, integrated care program for seniors who are certified as needing a nursing-home level of care but want to keep living in the community. (This is different from Pennsylvania's PACE/PACENET program, which only helps pay for prescriptions.) A single LIFE provider becomes the participant's complete medical home — primary care, specialists, hospital care, prescriptions, physical and occupational therapy, dental, vision, hearing, mental health, transportation to appointments, meals, and adult day care at a LIFE center. For seniors who have both Medicare and Pennsylvania Medicaid, LIFE covers all of it with no out-of-pocket cost. LIFE is for people 55 and older who meet a skilled-nursing-facility level of care, live within a LIFE provider's service area, and can be served safely in the community. Participants agree to use only LIFE-network providers.

What you'll need

• Proof of Pennsylvania residency within a LIFE provider's service area
• Proof of age 55+ (driver's license, state ID, or birth certificate)
• Medicare card (if enrolled) and Pennsylvania Medicaid card (if enrolled)
• Recent medical records or a physician statement supporting the need for nursing-facility-level care
• List of current medications and providers

Where to apply

What to say when you call

"Hello, I'm calling to ask about Living Independence for the Elderly (LIFE) — Pennsylvania's PACE Program. I'd like to know whether I may qualify, what documents I need, and whether I can apply online, by mail, by phone, or in person. I understand I may need proof of Pennsylvania residency within a LIFE provider's service area, proof of age 55+ (driver's license, state ID, or birth certificate), medicare card (if enrolled) and Pennsylvania Medicaid card (if enrolled) — is anything else required? What is the best next step?"

Tip: have a pen ready, ask for the person's name, and write down any case or reference number they give you.

Step by step

1. Confirm basic eligibility before applying. You must be 55 or older, live within a LIFE provider's service area in Pennsylvania, and be certified as needing a skilled-nursing-facility level of care. You must also have Pennsylvania Medicaid for $0-cost coverage, or be able to pay privately. Note: LIFE is the all-inclusive care program — it is not the same as Pennsylvania's PACE/PACENET prescription-assistance program.
2. Gather your required documents. You will need: proof of Pennsylvania residency within a LIFE provider's service area; proof of age 55 or older (driver's license, state ID, or birth certificate); your Medicare card if enrolled and your Pennsylvania Medicaid card if enrolled; recent medical records or a physician statement showing you need nursing-facility-level care; and a list of your current medications and providers.
3. Contact the Independent Enrollment Broker to start your application. Call 1-877-550-4227. Staff can answer questions, confirm whether a LIFE provider serves your area, and walk you through next steps. You can also begin the process online through the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services.
4. Complete the enrollment and level-of-care assessment. A LIFE program team will review your medical records and conduct an assessment to certify that you need a nursing-facility level of care. Bring or submit all gathered documents at this stage.
5. Review and sign your enrollment agreement. Once approved, you will agree to use only LIFE-network providers for your care. LIFE then becomes your complete medical home — covering primary care, specialists, prescriptions, therapy, dental, vision, mental health, transportation, meals, and adult day services at a LIFE center.

What to expect: After submitting your application, the LIFE program team will complete a level-of-care certification and coordinate your enrollment with your assigned LIFE provider. Processing times vary, so ask the Independent Enrollment Broker at 1-877-550-4227 for an estimate. Once enrolled, your care is reviewed on an ongoing basis — your nursing-facility-level-of-care certification is re-assessed annually to confirm you remain eligible. Keep your documents and medical information up to date so re-assessments go smoothly. Important: this program requires Pennsylvania Medicaid for $0-cost coverage, and coverage is limited to LIFE provider service areas — call the broker to confirm both before applying. This walkthrough is not legal or financial advice.

Renewals

ongoing (annual re-assessment of nursing-facility-level certification)