Prescriptions · PA
Pennsylvania PACE and PACENET Prescription Assistance
Pennsylvania's state prescription program for residents 65 and older. Not the same thing as federal PACE.
Written and checked by Jason Burns, Editorial Steward · Checked August 25, 2026
What it is typically worth
$500 – $5,000 a year
An estimate for a typical household. Your amount depends on your income, your state, and your situation.
What this program is, in plain English
Pennsylvania runs a state prescription assistance program called PACE, and a slightly higher-income version called PACENET. If you are 65 or older and you have lived in Pennsylvania for at least 90 days, it pays most of the cost of your prescriptions, with small copays for generic and brand-name drugs. It works alongside Medicare Part D rather than replacing it, and it can pay your Part D premium in some cases. Be careful with the name. Federal PACE is a full medical and home care program for frail older adults nationwide. Pennsylvania PACE is a prescription program in one state. They are not related.
What you actually get
Prescription coverage with low fixed copays for Pennsylvania residents 65 and older, coordinated with Medicare Part D.
Who qualifies
- You are 65 or older.
- Income limit: Not yet verified — call to confirm
- No asset test.
- PACE income limits are roughly $14,500 for a single person and $17,700 for a couple. PACENET extends well above that. Confirm current-year figures with the state before relying on them.
What to have ready
- Proof of Pennsylvania residency
- Proof of age
- Prior year income information
How to apply
This program is run by Pennsylvania Department of Aging. Most decisions take A few weeks.
We are not a government agency. These links go straight to the agency that runs the program. Applying is always free.
Every program on this site is free to apply for. Anyone who asks you to pay to apply, or to “unlock” a government benefit, is a scam — hang up and call Senior Medicare Patrol or 211.
Report something wrong on this page
Sources
- Program page — pa.gov
- Pennsylvania Department of Aging — pa.gov
- Legal authority: 62 Pa. Stat. §§ 2901-A to 2911-A (Pharmaceutical Assistance Contract for the Elderly)
Checked August 25, 2026 by Jason Burns (http fetch + browser + content check 2026-08-25). Licensed under the Citation License 1.0.
Related programs
- Extra Help with Medicare Prescription Drug Costs (Low-Income Subsidy)Cuts your prescription costs to a few dollars a drug and removes your Part D premium and deductible.
- Medicare Prescription Payment Plan (M3P)Spreads what you owe for prescriptions across the year in equal monthly payments, with no interest and no fee.
- State Pharmaceutical Assistance ProgramsAbout a dozen states run their own prescription help on top of Medicare Part D.
Not sure if this one is for you?
The free screener checks you against every program at once. It takes about two minutes and never asks for your name or phone number.
Start the free screener