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Official Website

of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

    The .gov means its official.

    Local, state, and federal government websites often end in .gov. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania government websites and email systems use "pennsylvania.gov" or "pa.gov" at the end of the address. Before sharing sensitive or personal information, make sure you're on an official state website. 

    Medicaid / Medical Assistance

    Medicaid, also known as Medical Assistance (MA), pays for health care services for eligible individuals.

    Apply for Medicaid
    Renew Your Medicaid

    HealthChoices

    HealthChoices is the name of Pennsylvania's managed care programs for Medicaid / Medical Assistance recipients. Through managed care organizations, eligible individuals receive quality physical and behavioral medical care, as well as long-term supports. To learn more about available services, find information for participants and providers in the sections below:

    medical professional taking blood pressure reading

    ​Physical HealthChoices

    Providing timely access to quality medical care through Pennsylvania's Medicaid program.

    ​Physical HealthChoices
    A group of people in therapy

    Behavioral HealthChoices

    Connecting people who receive Medicaid benefits with mental health and drug/alcohol services.

    Behavioral HealthChoices
    Elderly woman in a wheelchair and nurse smiling.

    Community HealthChoices

    Serving more people in communities rather than in facilities by providing necessary supports.

    Community HealthChoices

    Medicaid for Children with Special Needs (PH95)

    Medicaid for Children with Special Needs (PH95) provides full and free Medical Assistance (MA) coverage to children up to age 18 with disabilities whose parents make too much money to qualify for traditional Medicaid categories.

    Medicaid for Children with Special Needs

    Frequently Asked Questions about Medicaid

    Medicaid covers a broad range of physical and behavioral health services, including doctor visits when you’re sick, preventive care like health screenings, vaccines, hospital stays, prescription medications, mental health and substance use disorder care, and more.

    Check coverage details for:

    If you apply for and qualify for Medicaid, you'll get more information about how to use your benefits and have the opportunity to pick a HealthChoices managed care organization (MCO), to help you coordinate your care. Your MCO works with providers, and you can contact your MCO to find doctors in your community.

    If you are not eligible or lost your Medicaid/Medical Assistance coverage, you may be able to get low-cost or even no-cost health coverage through Pennie™, Pennsylvania’s o­fficial health and dental insurance marketplace.

    Pennie’s open enrollment runs from November through January every year, but depending on your personal situation, you may qualify for a special enrollment period. 

    Medicaid information for Providers

    Providers and find detailed information on how to conduct business with the Office of Medical Assistance Programs (OMAP) on our Medicaid Assistance for Providers section.

    ​Provider Billing Information

    Use the resources below find information concerning common billing issues: 

    Apply for Medicaid

    You can apply online, in-person, on the phone, or through the mail.

    Apply Online

    Use our quick, easy, and secure COMPASS website.

    Apply Online

    Apply by Telephone

    Call the Consumer Service Center for Health Care Coverage at 1-866-550-4355 

    1-866-550-4355

    Apply In-Person

    Your local county assistance office (CAO) have professionals that will help you apply.

    Find You County Assistance Office 

    Apply by Mail

    Download, fill out, and print a paper application then send it to your local County Assistance Office.

    Download a form (PDF)