Pennsylvania Medicare Education and Decision Insight (PA MEDI)
Free, unbiased Medicare counseling in Pennsylvania. Trained counselors go through your costs and choices with you, and they don't sell plans.
Medicare and health costs
Medical Assistance (Medicaid) in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania calls Medicaid Medical Assistance.
If you have Medicare, Healthy Horizons may give you full Medical Assistance coverage plus payment of your Medicare premiums, deductibles and coinsurance, with income up to the poverty level plus $20 and savings up to $2,000. If your income is higher, the Medically Needy Only program may still help once your medical bills are counted.
How to apply in Pennsylvania
- By phone
- 1-866-550-4355
- In person
- At your local county assistance office.
Applying is free. Nobody should charge you to apply.
Apply on the official siteWho may qualify in Pennsylvania
| One person | Married couple | |
|---|---|---|
| Income limit with Medicare (Healthy Horizons, 2026) | $1,350 a month (100% of the poverty level plus $20) | $1,824 a month (100% of the poverty level plus $20) Source: Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (source 1) |
| Savings limit (Healthy Horizons) | $2,000 | $3,000 Source: Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (source 1) |
| Spend-down if your income is over the limit | Yes: through Medically Needy Only (MNO) you may qualify if medical bills bring your net income down to $425 a month for one person or $442 for two ($2,550 / $2,650 over six months) Source: Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (source 1) |
|---|---|
| Medicaid for adults under 65 (expansion) | Yes: Pennsylvania expanded Medicaid to low-income adults under 65 Source: KFF (source 3) |
How Pennsylvania is different
Where Pennsylvania's rules differ from the federal rules for Medicaid for people with Medicare.
- Higher income limit for people with Medicare: 100% of the poverty level plus $20 (Healthy Horizons)
- Spend-down (Medically Needy Only) available for people over the income limit
Source: Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (source 1)
Good to know
- Without Medicare, the Non-Money Payment (NMP) income limit is $1,016.10 a month for one person and $1,524.30 for two.
Source: Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (source 1)
Free help
Free help with this in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania Department of Aging
Your local Area Agency on Aging can help with meals, rides, help at home, caregiver support and applying for benefits.
More help in Pennsylvania
Medicaid for older adults in another state
- Alabama
- Alaska
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- District of Columbia
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Sources
- Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, Medicaid for Older People and People with Disabilities (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
- Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, Apply for Benefits (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
- KFF, Status of State Medicaid Expansion Decisions. Checked Oct 28, 2026.
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