Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisors (SHIBA)

ABOUT LIFELiving Independence for the Elderly, or LIFE, is a Pennsylvania program that provides comprehensive health and support services to seniors who wish to continue living independently in the community.PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTSLIFEs exciting and comprehensive features help make it possible for seniors to remain in their homes. For most participants who are eligible for Medicaid or dually eligible for Medicaid and Medicare this means:generally no costs for services provided by LIFEno costs for prescription drugsa LIFE care team dedicated to addressing your health care and social support needscomprehensive medical servicesas directed by your LIFE care team, home services such as meals, help with bathing and dressing, light housekeeping, laundry, chores, home modifications, and medical equipment and suppliesa day center at which members can eat, receive medical care, and participate in activitiesfree transportation to doctor appointments, the LIFE day center, and medical destinations outside your homeELIGIBILITYage 55 or oldermedically eligible to participate in a LIFE programfinancially eligible for Medicaid or have the ability to privately payreside in an area served by a LIFE providerable to be safely served in the community as determined by a LIFE providerCOSTS FOR MEMBERSMost LIFE participants who are eligible for Medicaid or are dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid generally pay nothing for services provided by LIFE, such as prescriptions, medical equipment and supplies, transportation to the LIFE day center and outside medical appointments, and food at the LIFE center. (Participants who, during the course of their LIFE membership, spend more than 30 days in a nursing facility may be responsible for some of those costs, depending on their income and family situation.)PERSONAL CARE AND IN-HOME SERVICESMany people who have reached this point in their lives face obstacles to their independence, so LIFE offers a variety of in-home services that your LIFE care team may determine you need, such as:home aides to help you with bathing, grooming, dressing, laundry, light housekeeping, and choreshome modifications such as grab bars or rampsmedical equipment and suppliesMEDICAL SERVICESLIFE does a lot of the work for you, providing or arranging for every medical service your LIFE care team decides that you need. That means no more making calls to schedule doctors appointments or to arrange for transportation. LIFE takes care of this for you. Everyone has their own needs, so LIFE and the medical services LIFE offers, depending on your specific needs as determined by your LIFE care team, could include:primary and preventive care, behavioral, specialist, and emergency caredoctors and nurses on call to help you 24 hours a day, 7 days a weekvision (including glasses), dental (including dentures), foot, and hearing care (including hearing aids)womens health services, such as mammogramshome health care and hospital careprescriptionsphysical, occupational, recreational, cognitive, and speech therapiesnutrition counselingmedical imaging x-rays, MRIs, and CAT scanslaboratory servicesmedical equipment and suppliesskilled nursing care and rehab servicesLIFE DAY CENTERSUnlike other health plans, every LIFE program has a day center located in your community.  Staffed by LIFE doctors, nurses, and other health care professionals, these centers are places where you can:see your LIFE doctor or nursereceive physical, occupational, speech, or cognitive therapyreceive therapy and counselingmeet with a dieticianparticipate in health education programsparticipate in recreational and cultural activitieseat free meals and snacksparticipate in fitness programsreceive help showering or bathingspend time with other LIFE membersTRANSPORTATIONLIFE provides free transportation to the LIFE day center and outside medical appointments. This is all coordinated for you by your LIFE care team.SUPPORT FOR FAMILIES AND CAREGIVERSDepending on your needs, your care may involve more than your LIFE doctors, nurses, and LIFE staff; your family may be involved as well. LIFE offers services to help family members as needed, too, including:education, training, and counselingsocial services and supportsrespite careregular communication with members of your LIFE care team