Medicare Health Insurance Counseling, commonly known as APPRISE, is the State Health Insurance Counseling and Assistance Program (SHIP) for Pennsylvania’s Medicare beneficiaries. The Pennsylvania Department of Aging created APPRISE to help all Pennsylvania’s Medicare beneficiaries understand their health insurance options so that they can make sound decisions about what is best for them.

APPRISE is a free health insurance counseling service designed to assist Pennsylvania residents with Medicare questions, issues or problems. APPRISE counselors are specifically trained staff members and volunteers who can answer questions concerning Original Medicare, Medicare Supplemental Insurance, Medicare Advantage, Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage, Medicaid and Long Term Care.

All counseling provided by APPRISE is objective, non-biased and easy to understand. APPRISE is not an insurance company, so you won’t have to worry about someone trying to sell you something. There is no charge to you for these services and all personal information is kept completely confidential.

APPRISE services are available through Blair Senior Services, Inc., by calling 946-1235 or by calling the state-wide APPRISE Tele-Center at 1-800-783-7067.