LIFE Program in Pennsylvania vs. CHC Home Care
LIFE Program in Pennsylvania vs. CHC Home Care
Short answer: Pennsylvania offers two Medicaid options for care at home: the LIFE program and the CHC waiver. LIFE is an all-inclusive care program run by a LIFE provider, while CHC lets you choose your own home care agency and can pay family caregivers.
- LIFE (PA’s PACE) is for adults 55 and older who need nursing facility level care and live in a provider’s service area.
- Community HealthChoices (CHC) serves adults 21 and older and lets participants choose their own home care agency.
- The CHC waiver allows family members (excluding spouses and POAs) to be paid caregivers, whereas LIFE is not designed as a route to pay family.
- Both programs require the person to be nursing facility clinically eligible and financially eligible for Medical Assistance.
- To find a LIFE provider for your address or apply for CHC, contact the Independent Enrollment Broker (IEB) at 1-877-550-4227.
What the LIFE Program Is
The LIFE program is Pennsylvania’s version of the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE). It serves older adults who need nursing facility level care but want to remain at home.
To qualify, your loved one must be 55 or older and be able to live safely in the community. They must also meet financial eligibility for Medical Assistance and live within a specific LIFE provider’s service area.
Both LIFE and CHC require the person to be nursing facility clinically eligible (NFCE). For the CHC waiver, NFCE is decided with a Functional Eligibility Determination done by a PCA assessor in Philadelphia, plus the doctor’s certification.
Comparing the LIFE Program and CHC Waiver
Both LIFE and the Community HealthChoices (CHC) waiver provide Medicaid-funded support at home. However, they organize care differently. The CHC waiver offers services like Personal Assistance Services, respite, and Personal Emergency Response Systems (PERS) based on a person-centered service plan.
| Feature | LIFE Program | CHC Waiver |
|---|---|---|
| Age | 55 and older | 21 and older |
| Clinical rule | Nursing Facility Clinically Eligible (NFCE) | Nursing Facility Clinically Eligible (NFCE) |
| Finances | Medical Assistance eligible | Medical Assistance eligible |
| Where care is organized | The LIFE provider | Participant chooses their home care agency |
| Paid family caregiver | Not a route to pay family (confirm with your LIFE provider) | Yes, through a CHC agency or Services My Way (excludes spouses and POAs) |
If you decide CHC is the right fit and need to arrange services, call New Century Home Care at 215-974-0000. You can also use our contact form and choose “I am a client” then “I need services.” Our office staff speak English, Russian, and Ukrainian.
How to Find a LIFE Provider for Your Address
All PACE providers in Pennsylvania have the word “LIFE” in their name. Because LIFE is restricted to specific service areas, you must check which organization covers your zip code.
To find the exact LIFE provider for your address, call the Independent Enrollment Broker (IEB) at 1-877-550-4227. The IEB is run by Maximus.
If you choose CHC instead, the same IEB call starts the CHC waiver application; PHLP says that process should not take more than 90 days.
Which Fits: Choosing Between LIFE and CHC
Review these points to decide which program aligns with your goals:
- You want to hire a relative: The CHC waiver allows a paid family caregiver, excluding spouses, legal guardians, representative payees, or Power of Attorney (POA). LIFE is not designed for this.
- You prefer choosing your own agency: CHC allows the participant to select their preferred home care agency. Three CHC plans operate in the Southeast zone: AmeriHealth Caritas CHC (Keystone First CHC), Pennsylvania Health & Wellness, and UPMC Community HealthChoices.
- You want an all-in-one approach: LIFE is an all-inclusive program run by one LIFE provider.
- The applicant is under 55: CHC serves adults 21 and older, while LIFE requires the participant to be at least 55.
- You meet the financial limits: Both programs require financial eligibility. For waivers in 2026, the income limit is $2,982 per month (300% of the SSI Federal Benefit Rate). The resource limit is $8,000 for an unmarried applicant. Only the applicant’s gross income counts, not the spouse’s. The County Assistance Office (CAO) reviews these finances along with a five-year look-back period for asset transfers.
Philadelphia LIFE Providers
According to July 2023 workbook data from the PA Department of Human Services, there are 19 LIFE providers statewide.
As of DHS’s 2023 data, three LIFE providers serve Philadelphia County. During the 2022 period, there were 1,593 Philadelphia participants enrolled in the program. You can explore other Medicaid options for home care if a LIFE center does not fit your needs.
Ready to start CHC home care services for your loved one? Call us at 215-974-0000 or fill out our online form by selecting “I am a client” followed by “I need services.”
Frequently asked questions
What is the LIFE program for seniors?
LIFE is Pennsylvania’s version of PACE. It provides services for adults 55 and older who are clinically eligible for nursing facility level care, financially eligible for Medical Assistance, and can live safely in the community within a LIFE provider’s service area.
Can I get paid to take care of my elderly mother in PA?
Yes, under the CHC waiver, family members can be paid caregivers through an agency or the participant-directed Services My Way model. The waiver will not pay the participant’s spouse, legal guardian, representative payee, or Power of Attorney.
What is the monthly income limit for Medicaid in PA in 2026?
For Pennsylvania waivers like CHC, the income limit is 300% of the SSI Federal Benefit Rate, which is $2,982 per month in 2026. Only the applicant’s gross income is counted toward this limit, not the spouse’s income.
Can I switch from LIFE to CHC?
Ask the Independent Enrollment Broker at 1-877-550-4227 how a change would work in your case, and confirm the timing with your LIFE provider so there is no gap in care.
Who pays for LIFE?
LIFE is for people who are financially eligible for Medical Assistance. Ask the LIFE provider in your area how costs work for your situation.
Get paid through Medicaid CHC as a New Century caregiver. Weekly pay, $350 signing bonus, free health insurance plan available. Call 215-974-0000.
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