APPRISE
Important Update: In response to the COVID-19 emergency, APPRISE is providing telephone counseling only; no face-to-face appointments. To reach APPRISE health-insurance counseling, people should call (570) 624-3026.
Diakon’s APPRISE Program recognizes the complexity of Medicare and offers free health-insurance counseling to people with Medicare. In fact, our "New to Medicare" class can assist individuals in navigating the Medicare system and help them to understand all available options.
Specially trained staff members and volunteers are available to meet one-on-one with individuals. They explain options in easy-to-understand terms, allowing those we help to make informed decisions about health-insurance needs. Additionally, our staff and volunteers can assist individuals with completing the often-frustrating paperwork associated with Medicare and related benefits programs.
Annually, our program hosts many “enrollment events” during Medicare’s annual enrollment period (Oct. 15 through Dec. 7), helping people with Medicare compare and select Medicare’s Advantage plans and prescription drug plans.
For more information about APPRISE, please call (570) 624-3026 or email Dana Oravitz.
The APPRISE Program is funded in part through the Schuylkill County Office of Senior Services.
The Schuylkill County APPRISE program also serves as a Pennsylvania Department of Aging TeleCenter site. 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 caller’s local APPRISE program. Schuylkill County volunteers answer the TeleCenter two days per week. The TeleCenter can be reached weekdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 1-800-783-7067.