In Pennsylvania, private-pay home care typically costs between $25 and $33 per hour, depending on the level of care, location, and number of weekly hours needed. However, many residents qualify for Medicaid programs that significantly reduce or eliminate out-of-pocket costs.
If you are 21 or older, living in Pennsylvania, and need help with daily activities like bathing, dressing, cooking, mobility, or housekeeping, you may qualify for Medicaid-covered in-home care.
Before assuming care is unaffordable, it is important to understand how Medicare, Medicaid, and Pennsylvania’s CHC program work, and Pristine is here to help make things clearer.
Key Takeaways
- Private-pay home care in PA often ranges from $25 to $33 per hour.
- Medicare covers short-term skilled home health, not long-term personal care.
- Medicaid and Community HealthChoices can cover in-home care for eligible residents.
- In Pennsylvania, family members can often get paid for caregiving.
- Many eligible clients pay little to nothing out of pocket.
What Does Home Care Typically Include in Pennsylvania?
Home care costs in Pennsylvania are shaped more by the number of weekly hours needed and the level of assistance required than by a single flat rate.
Non-medical home care focuses on helping individuals remain safe and independent at home. These services typically include assistance with:
- Bathing and grooming
- Dressing
- Meal preparation
- Mobility support
- Light housekeeping
- Companionship
The total monthly cost increases as care needs increase. Part-time care requires fewer hours per week, while daily or around-the-clock support results in higher overall expenses.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services explains that long-term services and supports delivered at home are often more cost-effective than institutional settings like nursing facilities.
→ Federal Long-Term Services & Supports overview
While final costs depend on care complexity and approved weekly hours, here is a general snapshot of private-pay rate ranges in two major Pennsylvania communities:
- Philadelphia County: $25 to $28 per hour
- Allentown / Lehigh County: $25 to $32 per hour
Actual costs vary based on:
- Number of weekly care hours
- Level of personal care required
- Caregiver experience
- Whether services are private-pay or Medicaid-covered
Because total expenses are closely tied to both hours and eligibility status, many Pennsylvania residents explore Community HealthChoices before assuming private-pay is their only option.
→ Official Pennsylvania Department of Human Services resource
How Much Will Medicare Pay for In-Home Care?
Medicare pays for short-term, medically necessary home health services, but it does not cover long-term custodial care.
Medicare may cover:
- Skilled nursing
- Physical therapy
- Occupational therapy
- Speech-language pathology
- Limited home health aide services tied to skilled care
To qualify, a doctor must certify that the individual is homebound and requires intermittent skilled services.
→ Official Medicare coverage explanation.
Medicare does not pay for ongoing help with bathing, dressing, cooking, or housekeeping if those are the only services needed.
For long-term daily support, Medicaid is typically the appropriate program.
What is Community HealthChoices?
Community HealthChoices is Pennsylvania’s Medicaid managed care program that covers long-term in-home services for eligible adults.
The program allows qualified residents to:
- Remain safely at home
- Avoid nursing facility placement
- Receive help with activities of daily living
Medicaid is the primary payer for long-term services and supports in the United States.
We recently explained how this works in a short video for Pennsylvania families.
Understanding eligibility is often the biggest step toward getting started.
What Matters Most When Choosing Home Care in Pennsylvania?
How Much Do Family Members Get Paid for Caregiving in Pennsylvania?
In Pennsylvania, family members can get paid for caregiving if the person receiving care qualifies for Medicaid long-term services through Community HealthChoices (CHC).
Eligibility is determined based on both financial and functional requirements.
Once approved, a family member may be hired by an authorized home care agency and become a paid employee.
Medicaid reimbursement rates vary by managed care organization and region. In Pennsylvania, family caregiver compensation typically ranges between $10 and $15 per hour, depending on approved care hours and plan guidelines. At Pristine Home Care, family caregivers are treated as valued employees, not temporary hires. We offer competitive compensation, reliable weekly pay, and structured support for those caring for loved ones.
→ You can learn more about compensation structure and pay transparency here.
For many Pennsylvania families, this option transforms caregiving from financial strain into financial stability.
Ready to See What You Qualify For?
Understanding how much home care costs is important.
Understanding what you qualify for can change everything.
If you are 21 or older, live in Pennsylvania, and need help with bathing, cooking, dressing, mobility, or daily living tasks, you may qualify for Medicaid-covered home care.
Many eligible clients pay little to nothing out of pocket.
And yes, you can often choose your own loved one to care for you.
At Pristine Home Care:
- We fast-track approvals in 30 to 60 days, not the typical 90
- We handle the paperwork, follow-ups, and confusing Medicaid steps
- We advocate on your behalf so you are not navigating the system alone
- We provide multilingual support, because language should never be a barrier
You should not have to struggle to stay at home.
And you should not have to carry the weight of caregiving alone.
If you need support, we will help you stay safe, independent, and in control.
If you are caring for someone you love, or think you may need to soon, we will help you get paid to do it.
Start here by filling out our Pristine Form:
→ Home Care Services
→ Become a Paid Caregiver
Pristine Home Care
Care Where You Belong
Frequently Asked Questions About Home Care Costs
Q: How much do family members get paid for caregiving in Pennsylvania?
A: Family members in Pennsylvania can get paid for caregiving through Medicaid’s Community HealthChoices program, with hourly pay based on approved care hours and the participant’s managed care plan.
Q: Does Medicaid pay for 24-hour home care in Pennsylvania?
A: Medicaid may cover extended daily home care hours if the individual qualifies medically and the care plan authorizes that level of support.
Q: Who qualifies for Medicaid home care in Pennsylvania?
A: Pennsylvania residents who are 21 or older, enrolled in Medicaid, and require assistance with daily living activities may qualify for Community HealthChoices home care services.
Q: Can I choose my own caregiver under Medicaid in PA?
A: Yes, eligible participants can often choose a family member, friend, or trusted individual to serve as their paid caregiver if program requirements are met.
Q: How long does it take to get approved for Medicaid home care in Pennsylvania?
A: Approval timelines vary, but most applications are processed within 60 to 90 days depending on documentation and eligibility review. With Pristine’s helpful team though, approval can get done in as little as 30–60 days.
