If you or your family member is on Medicaid in Pennsylvania and needs a ramp, grab bars, or a stair lift, one program handles nearly all of it. The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) runs Medicaid statewide, and its Office of Long-Term Living (OLTL) oversees the waiver that pays for home modifications. County Assistance Offices (CAOs) decide financial eligibility for each applicant.
What Pennsylvania offers#
The main program for adults is Community HealthChoices (CHC), Pennsylvania's mandatory managed care program for long-term services and supports (LTSS). CHC serves adults age 21 and older who are dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid, or who qualify for Medicaid LTSS because they need nursing-facility level of care.
CHC lists Home Adaptations as a covered service. This includes physical changes to a home, such as wheelchair ramps and stair lifts or glides, needed for health and safety. Once enrolled, a participant requests these modifications through their CHC managed care organization (CHC-MCO), the private plan that coordinates and pays for their services.
Two groups fall outside CHC. People with intellectual or developmental disabilities served through Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) waivers use a separate system. Residents of state-operated nursing facilities are also excluded from CHC. For adults 55 and older, Pennsylvania's LIFE program (an all-inclusive care model similar to a managed long-term care plan) is an alternative worth asking about.
Amounts and eligibility#
DHS does not publish a standard dollar cap for CHC Home Adaptations on its public pages. Instead, your CHC-MCO authorizes specific modifications through your person-centered service plan, based on your assessed needs. Anyone quoting a fixed statewide dollar figure for Pennsylvania is not using an official DHS source. Checked against DHS and OLTL public pages, July 2026.
Financial eligibility has two parts. Your gross monthly income generally must fall within 300% of the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Federal Benefit Rate, which is $2,982 a month in 2026. Your countable resources must be at or below $2,000, after a $6,000 standard automatic disregard is applied. Spousal impoverishment protections can shield a spouse's income and resources if you are married. A five-year look-back period applies to any transfer of assets before applying.
Your CAO makes the final financial eligibility decision, and a separate clinical assessment determines nursing facility clinical eligibility (NFCE). Nothing in this article guarantees any specific outcome for your situation.
How to apply in Pennsylvania#
Pennsylvania routes every CHC application through a single front door. Call the Independent Enrollment Broker (IEB) at 1-877-550-4227 to start. Here is what happens next:
- The IEB helps you complete the Medicaid application, which then goes to your local CAO for a financial eligibility decision.
- The IEB schedules an in-home, hospital, or facility assessment to establish nursing facility clinical eligibility.
- This assessment requires a physician certification confirming you need that level of care.
- Once both the financial and clinical pieces are approved, you choose a CHC-MCO and enroll.
- Your CHC-MCO develops your service plan, including any home modifications, with your care team.
DHS does not publish a consumer waitlist for CHC. Enrollment is assessment-gated rather than list-based, so timelines vary by county and by how quickly documents and assessments are completed. Avoid any source that states a specific average wait time for Pennsylvania, since none is officially published.
For general help finding local resources, contact PA Link to Aging and Disability Resources at 1-800-753-8827, or email carelink@pa.gov. The Pennsylvania Department of Aging coordinates 52 Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) covering all 67 counties. The federal Eldercare Locator (eldercare.acl.gov, 1-800-677-1116) is a national backup if you need it.
How it stacks with federal programs#
If the person needing modifications is a veteran, check U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) housing grants alongside CHC. Programs like Specially Adapted Housing can fund larger projects and may work alongside Medicaid coverage. See our VA home modification grants guide.
Original Medicare does not cover structural home modifications. Some Medicare Advantage plans offer supplemental benefits like grab bars or ramps, but coverage is entirely plan-specific with no standard amount. Call your plan directly to ask what it covers.
Finding a provider who knows this program: Not every contractor has handled CHC Home Adaptations paperwork. A modification contractor must be enrolled with OLTL as a Medicaid provider and also contracted with your specific CHC-MCO before work can be authorized. Adapta Home USA verifies providers' Medicaid Waiver Billing experience, so you can filter for professionals who have done this before. Find Pennsylvania Home Modifications & Remodeling providers with Medicaid Waiver Billing experience →
For the bigger picture on combining programs, see our national Medicaid waiver guide and our full guide to paying for home modifications.
FAQ#
Does Pennsylvania Medicaid pay for home modifications like stair lifts or ramps?#
Yes. Community HealthChoices lists Home Adaptations as a covered service, including wheelchair ramps and stair lifts or glides, for enrolled participants who need them for health and safety.
How do I apply for Community HealthChoices home modification help?#
Call the Independent Enrollment Broker at 1-877-550-4227. The IEB helps with your Medicaid application through your CAO and schedules the clinical assessment needed to confirm nursing facility clinical eligibility.
What are the income and asset limits for CHC in 2026?#
Gross monthly income generally must be within 300% of the SSI Federal Benefit Rate, or $2,982 a month. Countable resources must be at or below $2,000, after a $6,000 automatic disregard.
Can I pick any contractor for a Medicaid-funded home modification in Pennsylvania?#
No. The contractor must be enrolled as a Medicaid provider with OLTL and under contract with your specific CHC managed care organization before it can bill for the work.
Find a verified provider near you#
Adapta Home USA's directory lets you search Home Modifications & Remodeling providers in Pennsylvania and filter for Medicaid Waiver Billing experience. Our stairlift cost guide and wheelchair ramp cost guide can help you budget while your service plan comes together.
This article is for general educational purposes only and does not constitute medical, legal, or financial advice. Consult a qualified professional about your specific situation.
Program amounts, eligibility rules, and application procedures change. Figures on this page were verified against official government sources on the date shown, but you should confirm current details at VA.gov or with the administering agency before making decisions. Adapta Home USA is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or any government agency.