The Pennsylvania Health Care Cost Containment Council is an independent state agency that collects quality and cost data from health facilities, including hospitals and nursing homes, and issues public reports that often amount to report cards. It also collects data related to health insurers, and regularly publishes guides intended to help seniors understand and compare Medicare Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) and Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap) plans. These reports can be found on the website.

The Bureau of Facility Licensure and Certification licenses and verifies compliance with state and federal health and safety standards in supervised health care facilities as mandated by law, including hospitals, nursing homes, home health/hospice agencies, certain primary care providers, ambulatory surgical facilities and intermediate care facilities for people with developmental disabilities. The department conducts regular on-site surveys to assure health, safety, sanitation, fire and quality of care requirements and to identify deficiencies that may affect state licensure or eligibility for federal reimbursements under the Medicaid and Medicare programs.

The Bureau of Managed Care reviews, approves, licenses and monitors the quality of care provided to consumers by health maintenance organizations (HMOs) and other managed care systems. The department promotes innovation in the health care marketplace by encouraging the development of alternative health delivery systems. It identifies problems associated with cost, quality and access within the managed care industry and initiates solutions with consumers and providers.

The Bureau of Community and Hospital Operations is responsible for implementing and monitoring the community-based services and the unified service system initiative through collaboration with the county administrative offices. The bureau is also responsible for overseeing and directing the effective and efficient operations of the Commonwealth-operated psychiatric hospitals (state mental hospitals) and the South Mountain Restoration Center.

The Bureau of Managed Care Operations is responsible for the administration and oversight of both the mandatory and voluntary managed care programs that provide medical assistance benefits to recipients in Pennsylvania.

The Division of Nursing Care Facilities is responsible for the licensing and oversight of Pennsylvania's nursing care facilities. As of Dec. 31, 2010, there were 714 facilities with a total bed capacity of more than 88,000. The department conducts approximately 5,000 inspections per year. These include licensure and certification surveys, follow-up surveys and complaint investigations. The department also operates and maintains the federally mandated Nurse Aide Registry, which contains information on more than 229,000 nurse aides in Pennsylvania.

The Pennsylvania Council on Aging (PCoA) acts as an advisor to the governor and the Department of Aging on the planning, coordination and delivery of services to older people. The council also serves as an advocate for the elderly in the Commonwealth. The council is composed of 21 members, the majority of whom are 60 years of age or older. Members are nominated by the governor and subject to Senate confirmation.

The Healthcare Associated Infection Prevention (HAIP) Section was established to execute the Department of Health's responsibilities created by Act 52 of 2007. The mission of HAIP is to protect patients, residents, visitors and health care personnel as well as to promote safety, quality and value in the health care delivery system.

The Pennsylvania Insurance Department's role includes enforcing laws intended to regulate insurers and protect consumers, and providing the public with insurance information.

The Division of Home Health establishes and enforces quality care and safety standards for health care facilities in Pennsylvania. It conducts state licensure, Medicare certification and complaint investigations for the following health care providers: birth centers; Comprehensive Outpatient Rehabilitation Facilities (CORFs); home health agencies; home care agencies/home care registries; hospice agencies; kidney dialysis centers-End-Stage Renal Disease Centers (ESRD); outpatient physical/speech/occupational therapy clinics; and rural health clinics.

The Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Bureau is responsible for developing and implementing a wide variety of educational, preventative and treatment programs for people of all ages. Bureaus within this area include: communicable diseases; drug and alcohol programs; family health and health promotion and risk reduction.

The most influential Pennsylvania department, in terms of health care, is the Department of Public Welfare (DPW), which receives $27 billion in state and federal funds, and oversees programs for 2.1 million low-income, elderly and disabled people.

The Pennsylvania Department of Health is largely responsible for the oversight of hospitals, nursing homes and facilities such as personal care homes. Its most significant interactions with Medicare include collecting quality-related information from hospitals, and overseeing nursing homes, which often receive up to 100 days of payment for patients covered by Medicare.

The Office of Insurance Product Regulation and Administration is responsible for reviewing and regulating insurance rates charged and policy forms sold in Pennsylvania for accident and health, life, and property and casualty insurance. The office is also responsible for: budget preparation; human resources and area Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) administration; fiscal management; procurement and contract management; and office services support. The director oversees the department's general fund, special funds and federal fund budgets.

The health care section of the Pennsylvania Attorney General's Office investigates disputes between consumers and health care entities, such as medical providers and insurers.

The Pennsylvania Department of Aging oversees many services and benefits for older Pennsylvanians.

The Healthy Aging, Education and Outreach Division oversees all health and consumer education programs initiated by the department, including the APPRISE Health Insurance Information Counseling and Assistance Program and the PrimeTime Health Promotion Program. The division coordinates logistics for the department’s training activities, including statewide training, and provides a calendar listing the training events. The division also develops, produces and distributes consumer publications for the department. The division is charged with the overall quality and content administration of the Information and Referral services, including oversight of the Department’s Information and Referral help lines, websites and other outreach media campaigns.

The majority of people will need assistance with daily activities, such as bathing, dressing and meal preparation, at some point in their lives, whether due to aging, injury, illness or disability. Knowing what types of services are needed and available and how to obtain them is not easy. Whether people need help now or are exploring future options for themselves or a loved one, they can find services and supports through the Pennsylvania Office of Long-Term Living.

The Bureau of Advocacy, Protection and Education consists of the Ombudsman Division, Consumer Protection Division, and the Healthy Aging, Education, and Outreach Division. It is responsible for advocacy, as well as protecting and educating the population on aging and long-term care services and options. These responsibilities include coordinating advocacy, protection, and education activities among appropriate state agencies, enforcement entities, and the general public. The bureau also fosters organizational synergy in priority growth areas consistent with the governor’s agenda for long-term care, such as increasing volunteerism and civil engagement and strengthening senior protections and healthy aging and wellness.

The Consumer Protection Division is responsible for services that protect older Pennsylvanians against fraud, abuse, neglect, exploitation and abandonment, and for managing the Criminal History Background Check process. The division directs the administration of the Older Adults Protective Services Act (OAPSA) for the prevention and treatment of elder abuse, neglect and exploitation.

The physician general partners with public health professionals on matters related to health department programs and executive branch agencies, and reviews standards and practices of medicine within the jurisdiction of the health department. The officer is the primary adviser on medical issues to the governor and the secretary of welfare, and has a key role in dealing with public health issues including the flu.

The Division of Immunizations focuses on the reduction or elimination of vaccine-preventable diseases. The division provides vaccines for specific diseases that affect infants, children, adolescents and adults. These vaccines are available through both public and private health care providers. In addition to providing vaccines, the division offers: educational programs; ongoing disease surveillance systems; enforcement of school immunization regulations; disease investigations; assessment of immunization coverage; immunization registry and tracking systems; outbreak control interventions; and special efforts directed toward the prevention of Hepatitis B disease. The primary goal of the division is to achieve maximum immunization coverage in order to eliminate the occurrence of vaccine-preventable diseases in Pennsylvania.

The Governor’s Cabinet and Advisory Committee for People with Disabilities was established to make recommendations to the governor on policies, procedures, regulations and legislation that assist people with disabilities in Pennsylvania. This Cabinet serves as a liaison to this specific population, and serves as a resource to entities under the governor’s jurisdiction, ensuring equality for people with disabilities in all facets of state government within the commonwealth.

The PACE and PACENET programs offer comprehensive prescription coverage to older Pennsylvanians and cover most prescription medications, including insulin, syringes and insulin needles.

This organization represents nonprofit senior services providers, including nursing homes and other residential facilities.

The Pennsylvania Health Care Association represents about 300 providers of long-term care for seniors and the disabled.

The Pennsylvania Association of Senior Centers (PASC) is a statewide professional, nonprofit organization for Senior Center practitioners. The organization was started more than 11 years ago by a group of visionaries who recognized the importance of properly staffed, organized Senior Centers in every community in the Commonwealth. The group's vision extends into areas important to the successful operation of Senior Centers and to the communities that support them. Those areas ensure the best possible training programs for Senior Center personnel, guidance in management procedures for Senior Center administrators, and enlightenment with respect to the development of fund-raising opportunities.

The Pennsylvania Homecare Association (PHA) is a state trade association representing more than 400 organizations that provide care and support to individuals in their own homes. PHA helps its members tackle everyday challenges. With a member-centered focus, the association champions efforts that range from advocating on behalf of patients and consumers, to interpreting and developing regulations and legislation, to exploring needs and business strategies.

AARP, formerly the American Association of Retired Persons, is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization with a membership that advocates for people ages 50 and older. Since 1958, AARP has lobbied for senior issues, including the passage of Medicare in 1965. AARP offers support from staffed offices in all 50 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

The Center for Advocacy for the Rights and Interests of the Elderly (CARIE) is a nonprofit organization based in Philadelphia that has been dedicated to improving the quality of life for vulnerable older people since 1977.

This is the trade association for Pennsylvania hospitals, and thus is highly tuned in and politically active regarding Medicare and all government programs that fund medical care for seniors.

Established in 1982, Pennsylvania Adult Day Services Association (PADSA) is an organization of providers and concerned individuals interested in the promotion of quality adult day services in Pennsylvania. More than 100 centers and individuals are represented by PADSA in meetings with key policy makers and legislators. PADSA center members are also members of the National Adult Day Services Association (NADSA).

The Alzheimer's Association provides vital services and support to those individuals struggling with the disease, their families and caregivers. The Greater Pennsylvania Chapter serves 59 counties in western, central and northeastern Pennsylvania through its four offices.

The long-term care ombudsman advocates for residents of nursing homes and assisted living facilities. The office resolves complaints and educates seniors and long-term care providers about their rights and good care practices. The ombudsman also provides information to the public on nursing homes and other long-term care facilities and services, residents' rights, and legislative and policy issues. In 1978, an amendment to the federal Older Americans Act required every state to have an ombudsman program that addresses complaints and advocates for improvements in the long-term care system. The ombudsman program is administered by the Administration on Aging (AoA).

The Area Agencies on Aging (AAA) were established under the Older Americans Act (OAA) Comprehensive Services Amendments in 1973 to respond to the needs of Americans 60 and older in every local community. The amendments added a new Title V, which authorized grants to local community agencies in every state. The AAAs provide a range of options that allow older adults to choose the home- and community-based services and living arrangements that suit them best.