Apple Home Care is an in-network provider for Keystone First Community HealthChoices and PA Health & Wellness — two of the three Community HealthChoices (CHC) plans serving the Philadelphia area. If your loved one has either plan, their in-home personal care can be covered at no out-of-pocket cost to your family.
Community HealthChoices is Pennsylvania’s Medicaid program that pays for long-term, in-home support so older adults and adults with disabilities can stay safely at home. Every CHC participant is enrolled in one of three managed care plans, and the plan you have determines which agencies you can use.
Which CHC Plans Does Apple Home Care Accept?
Apple Home Care is in-network with two of the three Philadelphia-area CHC plans:
- Keystone First Community HealthChoices — in-network. The largest CHC plan in southeastern Pennsylvania (part of AmeriHealth Caritas), with a deep provider network across Philadelphia and the surrounding counties.
- PA Health & Wellness — in-network. Affiliated with Centene, with a focus on coordinating medical and long-term care together.
- UPMC Community HealthChoices — not in-network. We’re not able to serve UPMC participants at this time. Your Service Coordinator can explain whether changing plans during your enrollment window is an option for your situation.
What Your Plan Covers
Once your loved one is approved and their hours are authorized, CHC generally covers non-medical, in-home support like:
- Personal care — bathing, dressing, grooming, toileting, and mobility
- Meal preparation and feeding assistance
- Medication reminders
- Light housekeeping and laundry
- Companion care and supervision for safety
- Respite hours that give family caregivers a break
It generally does not cover skilled nursing or medical procedures (that’s home health), care delivered outside Pennsylvania, or hours beyond what’s authorized — though extra hours can be arranged through private pay. Your weekly hours are set by your Service Coordinator based on your loved one’s needs, not by the agency.
How to Start If You Already Have Medicaid
If your loved one already has Keystone First or PA Health & Wellness and is approved for in-home services, starting with us is quick:
- Call us and confirm your plan. We’ll verify your plan and talk through what your loved one needs. The consultation is free and there’s no pressure.
- We coordinate with your Service Coordinator. We get Apple Home Care authorized as your provider. If you’re switching from another agency, your authorized hours transfer with you.
- Care begins, often within 24 to 48 hours. We match a screened caregiver to your loved one and start, timed so there’s no gap in coverage.
Already with another agency and want to switch? You can change to Apple Home Care without losing hours — here’s how switching works.
What If You Don’t Have Medicaid Yet?
If your loved one isn’t enrolled in Medicaid or CHC yet, the coverage path takes longer — plan for roughly a two-month process to apply, complete the in-home eligibility assessment, and choose a plan. It’s worth starting early. We walk families through the whole thing — see our guide on how to qualify for the CHC Medicaid Waiver in Philadelphia. And if care is needed right now, we can start short-term private pay and transition to CHC once it’s approved.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Apple Home Care accept Keystone First Community HealthChoices?
Yes. Apple Home Care is an in-network provider for Keystone First CHC. If your loved one has the plan and is approved for in-home services, we can deliver their authorized personal care and companion care hours.
Does Apple Home Care accept PA Health & Wellness?
Yes. Apple Home Care is in-network with PA Health & Wellness. If your loved one has this plan and authorized hours, we can provide their in-home care — including taking over from another agency without any loss of hours.
What if I have UPMC Community HealthChoices?
Apple Home Care is not currently in-network with UPMC CHC, so we aren’t able to serve UPMC participants at this time. Your Service Coordinator can explain whether changing plans during your enrollment window is possible.
How much does CHC home care cost out of pocket?
For approved CHC participants, the authorized in-home services are covered by the plan, so there’s generally no out-of-pocket cost for those hours. Additional hours beyond what’s authorized can be arranged through private pay.
What’s the difference between CHC and Medicare?
Medicare covers doctor visits, hospital stays, and short-term rehab — not ongoing in-home care. CHC is a Pennsylvania Medicaid program designed to cover long-term in-home support for people who would otherwise need a nursing facility level of care. Many people have both.
What if I don’t have Medicaid yet?
You’ll need to apply for Community HealthChoices first, which typically takes about two months from application to approval. We can guide you through it, and can begin short-term private pay if care is needed immediately.
Get Started
If your loved one has Keystone First or PA Health & Wellness, their in-home care can be covered — and we can often start within 24 to 48 hours. Call 215-730-1020 or email info@applehomecr.com for a free, no-pressure consultation, and we’ll confirm your plan and walk you through the next step.