The Community Health Choices (CHC) is a program model in which Managed Care Organizations (MCO) are responsible for the delivery and pay of client services instead of the state. A Managed care Organization (MCO) has been effective since January 2019. An MCO is a delivery system organized to manage cost, quality and utilization of services the client receives. The MCO’s are reimbursed by the state to provide services to the clients.

The Managed Care Organizations you may be familiar with include insurance companies such as: Keystone First CHC, UPMC, and PA Health &Wellness. These insurance companies receive payment from the state not only because it is cheaper but also because they are able to manage utilization and quality of health services the clients receives.

Managed Care is a health care delivery system organized to manage cost, utilization, and quality

Community Health Choices (CHC) is the state having insurance companies (managed care entities) pay for your care instead of the state paying for your care directly.

CHC is a mandatory program for people who are age 21 or older and qualify for:

  • Both Medicare and Medicaid
  • Medicaid Long Term Services and Support (LTSS) because you need the level of care provided in a nursing facility or through one of the home and community-based waivers

To learn about who can enroll in the program, go to Who qualifies for CHC?

CHC covers the same physical health benefits you have now in your Medicaid Adult Benefit Package. With CHC, all of your Medicaid and prescription drug benefits are in one health plan. To see a list of services covered by all plans, go to Physical and behavioral health benefits.

If you receive LTSS, you will now get those services and supports through your CHC health plan. To see a list of LTSS covered by all plans, go to Long-term services and supports.

All health plans have care coordination to manage your health care. To learn more, go to Care coordination.

You will choose a health plan and primary care practitioner (PCP).

  • Your health plan uses groups of doctors, hospitals, clinics, and other health care providers. They work together to meet your health care needs.
  • Your PCP is a doctor or other provider who gives you most of your health care

Use this website to help you choose the best health plan and PCP for you

Please note: If you have Medicare and Medicaid and are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan, you will not have to change your Medicare PCP.

Community Health Choices (CHC) Insurance and MCO’s

The list of Community Health Choices (CHC) Insurances and MCO’s are listed below as well as some additional benefits. These benefits are not all inclusive, and are in addition to benefits already covered by Medicaid and Medicare.

Community Health Choices (CHC) Insurance and MCO’s
Keystone First

Adult Vision

  • Beyond Medicaid covered vision services, no extra services.

Phone services

  • Free Smartphone with 350 minutes of talk and unlimited text

Wellness programs

  • Home provider visits, lab draws and testing for qualified participants
  • Video visits with care manager
  • Bright Start maternity program
  • Box fan qualified participants
  • Health and wellness gift cards

Other benefits

  • In-home supports and services to help participants not approved for LTSS avoid nursing home stay
  • Welcome Home Benefit helps qualified participants with LTSS move from nursing facility to home, with up to $6,000 for rental assistance ($2,000 more than the $4,000 stat limit.)
  • For those not approved for LTSS, caregiver programs offer education, respite services and supports
pa health & wellness

Adult dental

  • Beyond Medicaid coverage of dental services, qualified participants will get an oral hygiene kit.

Adult vision

  • Beyond Medicaid covered vision services, no extra services

Phone services

  • Free Smartphone with 350 minutes of talk and unlimited text

Wellness programs

  • Home provider visits, lab draws and testing for qualified participants
  • Video visits with care manager
  • Bright Start maternity program
  • Box fan qualified participants
  • Health and wellness gift cards

Other benefits

  • In-home supports and services to help participants not approved for LTSS avoid nursing home stay
  • Welcome Home Benefit helps qualified participants with LTSS move from nursing facility to home, with up to $6,000 for rental assistance ($2,000 more than the $4,000 stat limit.)
  • For those not approved for LTSS, caregiver programs offer education, respite services and supports
UPMC

Adult dental

  • Beyond Medicaid coverage of dental services, qualified participants will get an oral hygiene kit.

Adult vision

  • Beyond Medicaid covered vision services, no extra services

Phone services

  • Free Smartphone with 350 minutes of talk and unlimited text

Wellness programs

  • Home provider visits, lab draws and testing for qualified participants
  • Video visits with care manager
  • Bright Start maternity program
  • Box fan qualified participants
  • Health and wellness gift cards

Other benefits

  • In-home supports and services to help participants not approved for LTSS avoid nursing home stay
  • Welcome Home Benefit helps qualified participants with LTSS move from nursing facility to home, with up to $6,000 for rental assistance ($2,000 more than the $4,000 stat limit.)
  • For those not approved for LTSS, caregiver programs offer education, respite services and supports