Apprise

In a time of ever-changing insurance legislation, Diakon recognizes the need to help older persons understand all types of health insurance, including Medicare, Medicaid, Medigap, long-term care insurance, and Medicare + Choice options. The agency provides this service in Schuylkill County through APPRISE.

A county-funded program through the Schuylkill County Office of Senior Services, APPRISE assists people in making knowledgeable decisions regarding their health insurance by explaining the benefits under each plan. APPRISE also lends a helping hand to people struggling through the often frustrating paperwork and appeals process associated with health-care insurance and claims.

The Schuylkill County APPRISE site also serves as a state TeleCenter. Staffed by volunteers, the TeleCenter operates a toll-free telephone number for people across Pennsylvania to call regarding Medicare questions. The TeleCenter's role is to answer brief questions and refer any in-depth questions to the program in the county in which the caller lives. Some 20 Schuylkill County volunteers answer the TeleCenter one day per week. The TeleCenter can be reached weekdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 1-800-783-7067.

In addition to this local service, Diakon provides training and support to ten APPRISE programs in northeastern Pennsylvania counties.