STATE PROFILE • Last updated: April 23, 2026
Pennsylvania Elder Care & Medicaid
Pennsylvania's Community HealthChoices program streamlines long-term care for seniors, offering home and community-based services through managed care with strict income and asset limits.
leaderboard
RANKED #25
GRADE C
FEATURED
Medicaid Coverage Guide for Pennsylvania
Full breakdown of LIFE Program & Aging Waiver for seniors: waiver programs, nursing home eligibility, income and asset limits, spend-down rules, and how to apply.
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Program
LIFE Program & Aging Waiver
Income cap
$2,982/mo
Medically-needy
Yes
Elder Care Index Report Card
5-pillar composite scoring vs other states
C
Grade
AFFORDABILITY
STRONG
QUALITY
MODERATE
STAFFING
CRITICAL
ACCESS
CRITICAL
MEDICAID SUPPORT
STRONG
Composite score: 50.2 / 100
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Pennsylvania At a Glance
Nursing Home Facilities
657
Senior Medicaid Waivers
1
National Rank
#25 / 51
Senior Care Costs in Pennsylvania
holiday_village
Assisted Living
$4,100/mo
-10.7% vs national avg
local_hospital
Nursing Home
$12,187/mo
+10.4% vs national avg
- 657 nursing homes · 83,389 beds
- Avg CMS rating 2.98★ (146 rated 5★, 128 rated 1★)
- 3.89 nurse hrs/resident/day (0.78 RN)
Source: CMS Nursing Home Compare
psychology
Memory Care
$5,125/mo
-10.7% vs national avg
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Home Health Aide
$27/hr
- Median aide wage $14.09/hr
- ~242,570 aides employed statewide
Source: BLS OEWS