Allentown Senior AdvisorWhat is Community HealthChoices in Pennsylvania?
Community HealthChoices (CHC) is Pennsylvania's mandatory Medicaid managed long-term services and supports program for adults 21 and older who are dual eligible for Medicare and Medical Assistance or who need long-term services because they meet a nursing facility level of care.
Instead of DHS paying providers directly, a CHC plan coordinates nursing home care, home and community-based services and physical health care for its members. Medicare remains the primary health insurance for dual eligibles.
Which Community HealthChoices plans serve the Lehigh Valley?
Three plans serve CHC members statewide, including Lehigh, Northampton and Carbon counties: AmeriHealth Caritas, PA Health & Wellness and UPMC Community HealthChoices.
A Pennsylvania appeals court on April 2, 2026 threw out DHS's 2024 selection of five CHC plans and ordered the selection redone, so the three existing plans continue and nothing changes for members for now. Check each plan's provider list before choosing, especially for the nursing homes and home care agencies near you.
What services does CHC pay for?
CHC pays for nursing home care and for home and community-based services such as personal assistance, respite, home-delivered meals, service coordination, home modifications and adult day services for members who meet the nursing facility level of care.
Every member with long-term services has a service coordinator who writes the person-centered service plan. Ask for the plan in writing and ask how to request more hours if needs change.
Does Community HealthChoices pay for a personal care home?
No: CHC waiver services do not pay personal care home or assisted living room and board, so a resident must pay the home's rent and meals from income or savings even if CHC covers some other services.
Families sometimes assume Medicaid will take over a personal care home bill; in Pennsylvania it will not. Plan ahead with the SSI supplement or a nursing home that accepts Medical Assistance.
How do you enroll in Community HealthChoices?
Enrollment runs through Pennsylvania's Independent Enrollment Broker at 1-877-550-4227, which also handles LIFE enrollment; the CHC participant helpline is 1-844-824-3655.
Your county Area Agency on Aging does the functional assessment that decides nursing facility level of care. Members who do not pick a plan are assigned one and can change later.
At a glance
| Community HealthChoices is | Community HealthChoices is not | |
|---|---|---|
| Program | Pennsylvania's Medicaid managed long-term care | A Medicare Advantage plan |
| Coverage | Nursing homes and home and community services | Personal care home room and board |
| Plans | AmeriHealth Caritas, PA Health & Wellness, UPMC CHC | Optional for eligible adults who want long-term services |
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.
