Benefits · Long Term Care
How to apply for Pennsylvania Community HealthChoices (CHC)
Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS), Office of Long-Term Living (OLTL); long-term-care services delivered by participant-chosen CHC managed-care plans, with eligibility assessed by the Independent Enrollment Broker
Who it's for
Community HealthChoices (CHC) is Pennsylvania's mandatory Medicaid managed-care program for long-term services and supports (LTSS). It serves residents age 21 and older who are enrolled in both Medicare and Medicaid (dual eligible) or who qualify for Medicaid because they need the level of care a nursing facility provides. CHC covers nursing-facility care plus a wide range of home- and community-based services that help people stay in their own homes — personal assistance, home health aide visits, adult day services, home-delivered meals, home and vehicle modifications, personal emergency response systems, and service coordination — all managed by a CHC health plan the participant chooses. To qualify for the LTSS portion, a person must be determined nursing-facility clinically eligible (NFCE) through an in-home assessment and must meet Medicaid's long-term-care financial limits: for 2026 that is monthly income at or below $2,982 (300% of the SSI Federal Benefit Rate) and countable resources at or below $8,000 for an individual ($2,000 SSI limit plus Pennsylvania's $6,000 resource disregard), with spousal-impoverishment protections for married couples. The Independent Enrollment Broker schedules the assessment and helps with plan choice: call 1-877-550-4227, or the CHC participant line at 1-844-824-3655.
CHC's long-term-services portion requires a nursing-facility clinically eligible (NFCE) determination made through an in-home assessment — this eligibility check cannot make that determination from intake answers alone. For married couples, spousal-impoverishment rules let the at-home spouse keep substantially more income and assets than the single-applicant limits show; the modeled $162,660 couple resource figure is the 2026 maximum Community Spouse Resource Allowance. Confirm clinical eligibility and current financial limits with the Independent Enrollment Broker at 1-877-550-4227. Not legal or financial advice.
What you'll need
- Proof of age (65+) or Social Security disability determination
- Proof of Pennsylvania residency
- Social Security card
- Medicare card (if enrolled)
- Proof of all monthly income (Social Security award letter, pension statements)
- Bank statements and documentation of countable resources for both spouses if married
- Nursing-facility clinically eligible (NFCE) determination from the in-home assessment
Where to apply
Apply online: official application
By phone: 1-877-550-4227
What to say when you call
“Hello, I'm calling to ask about Pennsylvania Community HealthChoices (CHC). I'd like to know whether I may qualify, what documents I need, and whether I can apply online, by mail, by phone, or in person. I understand I may need proof of age (65+) or social security disability determination, proof of pennsylvania residency, social security card — is anything else required? What is the best next step?”
Tip: have a pen ready, ask for the person's name, and write down any case or reference number they give you.
Renewals
annual financial recertification plus periodic reassessment of level of care
Not sure if you qualify? Run a free check first.
Find my benefitsNot legal or financial advice. The agency makes the final eligibility decision.