Allentown Senior AdvisorWhy do Lehigh Valley families compare Pennsylvania and New Jersey?
The Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton metropolitan area includes Warren County, New Jersey, so Phillipsburg families often look at Easton homes and Easton families at New Jersey ones, but each state licenses and pays for senior care under its own laws.
Our directory covers the Pennsylvania counties only. A move across the river changes the license type, the Medicaid program, the Area Agency on Aging and, for some people, state taxes.
How does licensing differ between the two states?
Pennsylvania licenses personal care homes and assisted living residences through its Department of Human Services, while New Jersey licenses assisted living residences, comprehensive personal care homes and assisted living programs through its Department of Health.
So a 'personal care home' in Pennsylvania and a 'comprehensive personal care home' in New Jersey are different licenses with different rules. Check each license with the state that issued it.
How does Medicaid differ between Pennsylvania and New Jersey?
Pennsylvania's Community HealthChoices does not pay for personal care home or assisted living room and board, while New Jersey's Medicaid managed long-term services and supports program can pay for assisted living services in participating facilities, though not room and board.
That difference is significant for a parent who may spend down savings. Medicaid eligibility generally requires residence in the state, so a move across the river means applying in the new state.
What practical issues come up with a cross-river move?
Doctors, pharmacies, Medicare Advantage networks, driver's licenses and voter registration may all need to change, and a resident who moves states usually has to reapply for state benefits such as Pennsylvania's PACE prescription program or rent rebate.
Original Medicare works in both states; Medicare Advantage plans are tied to the county of residence. PA MEDI counselors at the Northampton County Area Agency on Aging (610-829-4540) can check the Medicare side.
How do we compare a Pennsylvania home with a New Jersey one?
Compare the license and what it allows, the most recent state inspection, the contract's discharge and fee terms, and the payment path if savings run out, not just the monthly rate.
For the Pennsylvania side, start with our Easton page and the licensed home roster.
At a glance
| Crossing the river does | Crossing the river does not | |
|---|---|---|
| Licensing | Change the licensing agency and license types | Carry a Pennsylvania license over |
| Medicaid | Mean reapplying in the new state | Keep Community HealthChoices services |
| Medicare | Change Medicare Advantage networks | Affect Original Medicare coverage |
Sources include 55 Pa. Code Chapters 20, 2600 and 2800, Pennsylvania DHS, Department of Health and Department of Aging pages, CMS, VA and CareScout rate tables as cited above; see our editorial standards.
