What Keystone First Community HealthChoices is

Keystone First Community HealthChoices is the AmeriHealth Caritas brand for the Southeast zone of Pennsylvania’s Community HealthChoices (CHC) program. CHC is Pennsylvania’s Medicaid managed care program for adults aged 21 and older who have both Medicare and Medicaid, or who need long-term services and supports. The Southeast zone, which includes Philadelphia, Bucks, Chester, Delaware, and Montgomery counties, began operating on January 1, 2019.

Most dual-eligible people get their Medicaid physical health coverage through a CHC plan. Home care hours are separate: members must apply and be approved for the CHC waiver. Income and asset limits, the 5-year look-back and estate recovery are the same for every CHC plan and are covered in that guide.

If a person is eligible for CHC but does not actively choose a plan through the enrollment website, the state will auto-assign them to one. You have the right to select the plan that best fits your medical and home care needs.

Is it Medicaid or Medicare?

Keystone First Community HealthChoices is a Medicaid plan. It manages Medicaid benefits for eligible Pennsylvania residents. Many people enrolled in this plan also have Medicare.

Being in the plan is not the same as having home care: Personal Assistance Services come through the CHC waiver, which needs its own approval.

If you are ready to get paid for caring for a relative, New Century Home Care can help. Call us at 215-974-0000 or submit our online form by selecting “I am a caregiver” and then “I already have a client.”

Getting Personal Assistance Services through the plan

Once approved for the CHC waiver, you can receive Personal Assistance Services at home. These services include help with activities of daily living like eating, bathing, and dressing. Caregivers can also provide routine support like meal planning, health regimens, and accompanying the participant to the grocery store or pharmacy.

Incidental homemaker tasks, such as washing dishes from meal prep, are allowed when no one else is available to do them. The application process for the CHC waiver involves several distinct steps:

1. Call the Independent Enrollment Broker (IEB) at 1-877-550-4227 to start the application.
2. The IEB sends a Physician Certification form to your doctor, who should return it within five business days.
3. Meet with the IEB in person within seven business days of contact to complete the financial Medicaid application and learn about plan choices.
4. Complete a Functional Eligibility Determination (FED) assessment within 10 business days. An assessor from the Philadelphia Corporation for Aging (PCA) evaluates your physical and cognitive needs.
5. Wait for the County Assistance Office to review your income, resources, and 5-year look-back period.

A denial comes with a written notice that explains your appeal rights; PHLP gives free help. Step-by-step detail: how to apply.

Can a family member be paid under this plan?

Yes, family members can get paid to provide Personal Assistance Services through Keystone First Community HealthChoices. You can work as an employee of a licensed home care agency, or the participant can use the participant-directed option called Services My Way.

Under Services My Way, the participant acts as the employer. The plan uses an FMS vendor, HHAeXchange, which subcontracts Tempus Unlimited to handle worker enrollment, payroll, and tax reporting. In 2026, Pennsylvania introduced wage increases for participant-directed workers, but the maximum rates now differ by region and by CHC plan.

Agency-model workers are paid according to their specific agency’s pay scale. All personal care services funded by Medicaid require Electronic Visit Verification (EVV) to log the caregiver’s time and location.

Pennsylvania rules prohibit certain relatives from being paid caregivers under the CHC waiver. The plan will not pay for services provided by the participant’s spouse, legal guardian, representative payee, or power of attorney (POA). The Services My Way program also excludes the participant’s designated representative from being paid.

Pandemic-era exceptions allowing these roles ended on May 11, 2023, and the Office of Long Term Living (OLTL) does not expect to reinstate them. For more details on these restrictions, review our guide on the spouse and POA caregiver rules. You can also explore our main paid family caregiver page.

Contact details for Keystone First CHC and help

If you need to reach your health plan, apply for waiver services, or seek free legal help regarding a denial, use the contact information below.

Switching to or from this plan

Participants in the CHC program can switch their health plan at any time. There are three CHC plans available in the Southeast zone: AmeriHealth Caritas CHC (known locally as Keystone First CHC), Pennsylvania Health & Wellness, and UPMC Community HealthChoices.

If you are unhappy with your current coverage, you can change to another plan by visiting www.enrollchc.com. Changing your health plan does not mean you lose your waiver eligibility, but your new plan will manage your services moving forward. If you want to change your home care provider without changing your health plan, you can switch your agency by contacting your service coordinator.

Working with New Century Home Care

New Century Home Care is a licensed non-medical home care agency located at 101 E Olney Ave #270, Philadelphia, PA 19120. We work directly with Keystone First and AmeriHealth Caritas. If you are enrolled in Keystone First Community HealthChoices and approved for the CHC waiver, you can select us as your home care provider.

We offer companion care, homemaker services, mobility assistance, respite care, and specialized support for conditions like dementia, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and stroke recovery. Our office staff speaks English, Russian, and Ukrainian.

If you want to work as a caregiver for a family member through our agency, you must meet Pennsylvania Department of Health requirements. State law mandates a criminal history report, at least two satisfactory references from people not related to you, and a tuberculosis screening. You must also pass a competency exam or show proof of completing a valid training program.

New Century Home Care offers weekly pay, paid sick days, paid vacation or extra pay, holiday pay, a $350 signing bonus, free life insurance, a 401(k) retirement plan, and a free health insurance plan option.

If you need home care services for a loved one, contact us today. Call 215-974-0000 or fill out our online form, selecting “I am a client” and then “I need services.”