Pennsylvania’s Act 150 Program is a state-funded program that can help eligible adults with physical disabilities remain in their homes and communities. It provides attendant care-related support for individuals who meet specific functional, financial, and program requirements. Unlike Medicaid waiver programs, Act 150 is designed for people who have gone through the Medicaid financial eligibility process and are determined financially ineligible for Medicaid. Participants must also be able to direct their own attendant care and manage specified personal and legal responsibilities.
For a person considering Act 150, eligibility is only the first part of the process. A level-of-care assessment, financial determination, and program review help establish whether the individual can participate and what supports may be available.
Requirements for Act 150 Eligibility
Act 150 has several specific requirements that should be reviewed before assuming the program applies. Key considerations include:
- Being a Pennsylvania resident.
- Being between ages 18 and 59 for new eligibility.
- Having a medically determinable physical impairment expected to last at least 12 continuous months or that may result in death.
- Meeting the level-of-care needs associated with a skilled nursing facility.
- Being capable of hiring, firing, and supervising attendant care workers.
- Being able to manage personal financial and legal affairs and direct one’s own care.
- Completing the Medicaid eligibility process and being determined financially ineligible for Medicaid.
- Understanding that a participant may have a copayment based on income, subject to the program’s limits.
Understanding Act 150 Support
Act 150 does not automatically provide every type of home care service a person may need. The program identifies specific supports that may be available to an eligible participant, including:
- Personal assistance services: Attendant support for eligible daily needs within the authorized service arrangement.
- Personal Emergency Response System: An emergency-response option may be available when appropriate and authorized.
- Service coordination: Coordination support can help participants navigate and manage their authorized services.
- Participant direction: The participant must be capable of directing their care and managing specified attendant-care responsibilities.
- Authorized support planning: Services are based on program requirements and the participant’s assessed needs rather than a general package available to everyone.
Steps to Apply for Act 150
Act 150 enrollment involves several eligibility checks, so gathering accurate information early can make the process easier. Generally, an individual should:
Step 1
Contact the Pennsylvania Independent Enrollment Broker to discuss Act 150 and begin the enrollment process.
Step 2
Complete the required assessment to determine whether the individual meets the applicable level-of-care requirements.
Step 3
Complete the Medicaid financial eligibility process as required by the program.
Step 4
Provide information needed to establish physical-disability, self-direction, financial, and other program requirements.
Step 5
If determined eligible, complete the required planning and enrollment steps before authorized attendant care services begin.