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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Do I qualify for Community HealthChoices?

What are the benefits and services covered under CHC services?

CHC provides seniors and physically disabled individuals with medical benefits, as well as long-term support services to promote independent living and prevent unnecessary nursing home placements. Benefits include personal care services, such as assistance with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL), like bathing, meal preparation, and medication management. Enrollment in this program is mandatory for those who meet the eligibility requirements.

 

In order to be eligible for Community HealthChoices, one must be 21 years of age or older and a resident of Pennsylvania. Applicants must also require a nursing home level of care or be eligible for both Medicaid and Medicare.

In order to be eligible for Medicaid, there are both income and asset limits. For the state of Pennsylvania, as a general rule of thumb, seniors must have income no greater than 300% of the Federal Benefit Rate (FBR). As of 2020, this means a single elderly individual cannot have income in excess of $2,349 / month. The asset limit for a single senior is $2,000, although the state of Pennsylvania allows an additional $6,000 to be disregarded, allowing a total disregard of $8,000. In addition, certain exemptions are allowed, such as one’s home, given the individual lives in the home, or intends to return to the home, and the equity value is under $595,000, household items, and personal effects.

To be eligible for Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS), an individual must require a level of care consistent with a nursing home.

What are the Activities of Daily Living (ADL)?

The Activities of Daily Living are a series of basic activities necessary for independent living at home or in the community. They are performed on a daily basis. There are many variations on the definition of the ADLs, but most organizations agree there are 5 basic categories.

1. Personal hygiene – bathing/showering, grooming, nail care, and oral care.
2. Dressing – being able to make appropriate clothing decisions and physically dress and undress oneself.
3. Eating – the ability to feed oneself, though not necessarily the capability to prepare food.
4. Maintaining continence – being able to mentally and physically use a restroom. This includes the ability to get on and off the toilet and clean oneself.
5. Transferring/Mobility- being able to stand from a sitting position, as well as get in and out of bed. The ability to walk independently from one location to another.

The level of independence is based on whether someone can perform these activities on their own or they need help from a family caregiver.

A wide variety of services, including long-term care benefits, are covered via this program, and may include the following:

  • Adult Daily Living Services / Adult Day Health

  • Assistive Technology / Durable Medical Equipment

  • Medical Supplies

  • Home Health Aide / Nursing 

  • Therapies (Physical, Occupational, Language, and Speech)

  • Meal Delivery / Nutritional Counseling / Food Supplements

  • Respite Care

  • Non-Medical Transportation

  • Personal Emergency Response Systems

  • Home / Vehicle Modifications

  • Nursing Home Care

  • Hospice Care

  • Medical / Dental Services

  • Emergency Room Services

  • Prescription Drugs

  • Personal Assistance Services 

  • Counseling

  • Service Coordination

  • TeleCare

  • Behavior Therapy 

  • Cognitive Rehabilitation Therapy 

  • Community Integration / Community Transition

  • Pest Control

  • Consumer Direction of Goods / Services (available via Services My Way)

What are the Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL)?

Instrumental Activities of Daily Living are similar to ADLs. These actions are important to being able to live independently, but are not necessarily required on a daily basis. The Instrumental Activities are not as noticeable as the Activities of Daily Living when it comes to loss of functioning. But functional ability for IADLs is generally lost before ADLs. IADLs can help better determine the level of assistance needed by an elderly or disabled person. The IADLs include:

1. Basic communication skills – such as using a regular phone, mobile phone, email, or the internet.
2. Transportation – either by driving oneself, arranging rides, or the ability to use public transportation.
3. Meal preparation – meal planning, cooking, clean up, storage, and the ability to safely use kitchen equipment and utensils.
4. Shopping – the ability to make appropriate food and clothing purchase decisions.
5. Housework – doing laundry, washing dishes, dusting, vacuuming, and maintaining a clean place of residence.
6. Managing medications – taking the correct amount of medication at the correct time. Managing re-fills, and avoiding conflicts.
7. Managing personal finances – operating within a budget, writing checks, paying bills, and avoiding scams

©2022 by A Daughters Hand Home Care.

ADHHC affirms its personal commitment to fairness and equal opportunity for all employees and Patient's it faithfully serves. ADHHC values diversity and seeks the most qualified and talented employees and staff from diverse backgrounds. No ADHHC employee shall discriminate against any other employee, Patient or potential Patient for employment and or Home Care Services because of race, color, religious creed, age, sex, ancestry, union membership, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, disability or because the other employee or Patient is/has been a victim of a violent crime (including crimes involving domestic violence).

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