Pennsylvanians reminded about long-term care deadlines

Pennsylvania Department of Human Services Secretary Teresa Miller and Department of Aging Secretary Robert Torres are reminding state residents this week about the upcoming rollout of the Community HealthChoices (CHC) program.

CHC, a managed long-term services and supports program, launches on Jan. 1, 2020, for residents of central, northeast, and northwest Pennsylvania and the Lehigh Valley.

CHC is Pennsylvania’s managed care program for people who are eligible for both Medicaid and Medicare, and for those who are 21 or older with physical disabilities requiring long-term services and supports. CHC was developed to improve access to long-term services that help people live independently in the setting of their choice.

“Our goal is always to enhance the quality, efficiency, and effectiveness of the supports and services available to Pennsylvanians and to allow more people to live and work in their community among their family and friends, and experience an overall better quality of life,” said Secretary Miller. “CHC supports elderly Pennsylvanians and individuals needing long-term services and supports by helping make this possible.”

Eligible residents were notified of this transition, what it means for them, and important deadlines throughout the summer and fall. Eligible participants had until Nov. 13 to select their managed care organization (MCO). After this, participants are automatically enrolled in one of the three MCOs providing services for CHC participants. Participants who want to change their MCO are able to do that at any time. Participants have until Dec. 20 to make a plan selection change in order for it to be effective on Jan. 1. After that point, MCO changes will take effect beginning later in 2020.

“CHC is providing options for many eligible Pennsylvanians in their communities,” said Secretary of Aging Robert Torres. “This is especially noteworthy because we know that the majority of older adults want to age in place. CHC is empowering more seniors to live the way they want, while having access to long-term services they need.”

The Wolf Administration launched CHC in the southwest region in January 2018 and in the southeast in January 2019. Now, approximately 210,000 participants have a voice when choosing how and where they receive their services and supports. Data from the Southwest shows that in CHC’s first year, the rate of individuals served in the community increased from 49.7 percent to 52.2 percent.

The rollout in the remainder of the commonwealth will include approximately 143,000 people. When fully implemented across the state, CHC will include approximately 400,000 Pennsylvanians, 94 percent of whom are eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid.

For more information on plan selection, call 1-844-824-3655 (TTY 1-833-254-0690) or visit enrollchc.com.

For more information on the CHC program, visit healthchoices.pa.gov/info/about/community.