STATE PROFILE • Last updated: November 11, 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 income and asset limits.
leaderboard
RANKED #16
GRADE B
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
No cap
Medically-needy
Yes
Elder Care Index Report Card
5-pillar composite scoring vs other states
B
Grade
AFFORDABILITY
GRADE C · 59
QUALITY
GRADE C · 54
STAFFING
GRADE C · 38
ACCESS
GRADE A · 58
MEDICAID SUPPORT
GRADE C · 32
Composite score: 62.8 / 100 (50 = average state)
Methodology arrow_forward
Pennsylvania At a Glance
Nursing Home Facilities
657
Senior Medicaid Waivers
1
National Rank
#16 / 51
Range #12–#18 when the pillar weights shift
Senior Care Costs in Pennsylvania
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
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home_health
Home Health Aide
$27/hr
- Median aide wage $14.09/hr
- ~242,570 aides employed statewide
Source: BLS OEWS
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