In-Home Care in Pennsylvania

With 18.7% of Pennsylvania’s 13-million-plus population composed of people aged 65 and older, more than 2.4 million seniors call the Keystone State home. The overall cost of living is slightly lower than the national average and the lack of state income tax on retirement income can help seniors stretch funds further. The sales tax rate is also lower than average, as are crime rates. Pennsylvania has several high-performing hospitals, including the nationally-ranked Hospitals of Pennsylvania University and Penn Presbyterian Medical Center, UPMC Presbyterian Shadyside and Lancaster General Hospital.

Seniors have varied care choices in Pennsylvania, including in-home care and home health care. In-home care refers to non-clinical care provided by an aide, whereas home health care is the provision of medical care from a nurse, rehabilitation therapist or other health care professional. In Pennsylvania, in-home care and home health care cost an average of $4,957 per month.   

This guide provides an overview of in-home care in Pennsylvania. It compares the costs of long-term care and in-home care throughout Pennsylvania and in nearby states. You’ll also find a section on financial assistance, including Medicaid and Medicare, and a list of affordable resources for those aging at home.

According to Genworth’s 2021 Cost of Care Survey, in-home care in Pennsylvania costs an average of $4,957 per month. Neighboring Ohio shares the same median cost, and both states are on par with the U.S. average. Individuals receiving in-home care in West Virginia typically pay around $3,527 per month. Average fees increase to $5,148 in Maryland. Rates rise further in New Jersey and New York, where in-home care costs $5,529 and $5,339, respectively.

Throughout Pennsylvania, the costs of in-home care vary widely. Pittsburgh and Lancaster share the same average monthly cost of $5,339, representing the state’s highest rates for in-home care. At $5,329 per month, average rates are similar in Philadelphia. Prices drop slightly in Gettysburg, where seniors can expect to pay $5,291 each month. There are further savings in the state capital of Harrisburg and Scranton, where in-home care costs $4,767 and $4,576 per month respectively. At $3,813 per month, Johnstown has some of the state’s most affordable costs for in-home care.

In Pennsylvania, in-home care is more affordable than nursing home care, with average monthly rates of $4,957 and $10,403, respectively. Home health care costs the same as in-home care. At $4,100 per month, assisted living is a little more affordable than in-home care. However, seniors must live in a residential community rather than at home. In common with most states, adult day health care is the most affordable long-term care option in Pennsylvania, with an average cost of $1,625 per month.

Traditional Pennsylvania Medicaid, known as Medical Assistance, doesn’t cover non-medical home care. However, there is a Medicaid waiver program that pays for supportive services to enable older adults to remain at home. This program is known as the Community HealthChoices (CHC) Waiver.

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Seniors can conveniently apply for Pennsylvania Medicaid online via the COMPASS portal. You can also download an application form and return it by post or hand it to your local County Assistance Office (CAO). If you prefer, you can also visit a CAO to complete an in-person application. Alternatively, call the Consumer Service Center for Health Care Coverage at (866) 550-4355 to apply over the telephone.

What Information You Will Need

Medicaid has strict eligibility requirements and applicants must provide detailed information in support of their applications. You’ll need to include information about all income and countable assets. For your convenience, gather pay stubs, tax returns, recent bank statements, benefit award letters, health insurance policies and details of assets to hand. You’ll also need your Social Security number, and may be asked to provide proof of identity, citizenship status and in-state residency.     

In general, Medicare does not cover the cost of non-medical home care. That being said, there are situations in which Medicare provides some coverage for medical home care, referred to as “Home Healthcare.” There are several eligibility restrictions for coverage, including that individuals must be homebound and have a referral from their doctor specifically for home healthcare services.

Below is an overview of some of the skilled medical professionals whose in-home services are typically covered by Medicare – for more in-depth information, refer to our Guide to Home Healthcare.

• Physical Therapists: Physical therapy is used to help patients recover from injuries (broken bones, knee injuries, etc.), treat ongoing conditions such as arthritis, and assist in recovery from surgeries and procedures such as a knee or hip replacement.
• Visiting Nurses: Licensed nurses can provide a number of medical services for those who don’t need to stay in the hospital, but do need regular medical services such as wound care, changing feeding tubes, etc.
• Occupational Therapists: Occupational therapists help seniors regain or maintain the ability to accomplish normal, daily tasks, such as bathing, dressing, eating, and other daily activities.
• Speech Therapists: Speech therapists help seniors who are struggling to adequately communicate due to a stroke, dementia, or any other cause regain the ability to functionally communicate using a variety of means. Additionally, speech therapists help to keep seniors independent by modifying diets, teaching special techniques to swallow safely, and retraining associated muscles.

As mentioned above, in-home care is distinctly different from home healthcare. But, there can be some overlap in services between the two types of care. So, while Medicare doesn’t cover non-medical in-home care, there are in-home care services that may be covered in special circumstances when they’re provided in conjunction with home healthcare (such as an occupational therapist helping with eating or dressing)

To find quality home care providers near you, simply input the zip code or city where you would like to start your search. We have an extensive directory of home care agencies all across the nation that includes in-depth information about each provider and hundreds of thousands of reviews from seniors and their loved ones.