Benefits · Home Care
How to apply for Living Independence for the Elderly (LIFE) — Pennsylvania's PACE Program
Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS), Office of Long-Term Living (OLTL) / Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
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.
LIFE requires certification that you need a skilled-nursing-facility level of care, Pennsylvania Medicaid for $0-cost coverage (or private pay), and that you live in a LIFE provider's service area. This eligibility check can't confirm the level-of-care certification or your service area. Call the Independent Enrollment Broker at 1-877-550-4227 to start, or search by ZIP at the Pennsylvania LIFE Provider Alliance. Not legal or financial advice. Note: LIFE is the all-inclusive care program — it is not the same as PA's PACE/PACENET prescription-assistance program.
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
Apply online: official application
By phone: 1-877-550-4227
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.
Renewals
ongoing (annual re-assessment of nursing-facility-level certification)
Not sure if you qualify? Run a free check first.
Find my benefitsNot legal or financial advice. The agency makes the final eligibility decision.