PA Apprise Volunteers Honored for Service to Older Adults

HARRISBURG, Pa., May 4 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Secretary of Aging John Michael Hall today announced the first of five awards events to be held this month to honor more than 500 volunteers for their service in helping older adults understand their health benefits and related issues.  

"This is our way of letting the many APPRISE volunteers know how much their services are valued," said Hall. "No two beneficiaries' cases are the same, and the qualities the volunteers bring combine an aptitude for customer service, technical knowledge, good listening skills as well as patience, kindness and understanding."

The highly trained APPRISE volunteers provide free health insurance information through the state's 52 Area Agencies on Aging. They assist anyone on Medicare Parts A, B and D, on choices about Medicare coverage, the appeals process and financial assistance among other areas.

Volunteers navigate what can be complex Medicare and prescription issues to ensure citizens get the coverage they need. In 2009, APPRISE volunteers donated more than 61,700 hours helping more than 67,500 Medicare beneficiaries and 1,701 other citizens complete Low-Income Subsidy Medicare Savings Program applications.

Awards ceremonies for the volunteers will take place today in Westmoreland County and during the next several weeks in areas including Clarion, Lancaster, Luzerne and Centre counties.

For more information, visit www.aging.state.pa.us.

Media contact: Jane Crawford, 717-783-1549

SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Aging

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