Information and resources about Children's Health Care issues in Pennsylvania.
Click on a resource category listed below to see information related to that category.
How to Obtain Mental Health and Drug & Alcohol Services in Pennsylvania
Booklet from the Pennsylvania Health Law Project explaining how to obtain Mental Health Services and Drug & Alcohol Services under various programs in Pennsylvania. [PDF]
Frequently Asked Questions: CMS Waivers, Flexibilities, and the End of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency
Answers to some frequently asked questions about medical coverage from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services related to the End of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency. While some FAQs are relevant for all programs, including Medicare, Medicaid, the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and private insurance, other questions are program specific as indicated.
PA Health Law Project Toll-Free Helpline - Call: 1-800-274-3258
The PA Health Law Project provides free legal services and advocacy to Pennsylvanians having trouble accessing publicly funded health care coverage or services. For assistance, call the PHLP Helpline at 1-800-274-3258 or 1-866-236-6310 TTY or e-mail the PHLP at staff@phlp.org. Information from the PHLP is also available online at www.phlp.org.
COMPASS - Apply for Public Benefits and Services from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania residents can apply for a variety of programs offered by the PA Department of Human Services, including public assistance, food stamps, health care coverage, energy assistance and other social service programs at this site
Pennie - Pennsylvania's Health Care Marketplace
Pennie provides information on health care coverage available and how to sign up. All Pennsylvanians can search and choose coverage from November to January 15. After January 15th, folks who experience a Qualifying Life Event are still eligible to apply for financial assistance and shop for health insurance. Visit their website to learn more on qualifying life events.
Benefits.gov
Benefits.gov is the official benefits website of the U.S. government whose mission is to increase citizen access to benefit information, while reducing the expense and difficulty of interacting with the government. It is a free, online confidential tool that helps you find government benefits you may be eligible to receive.
COMPASS - Apply for Public Benefits and Services from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania residents can apply for a variety of programs offered by the PA Department of Human Services, including public assistance, food stamps, health care coverage, energy assistance and other social service programs at this site
Pennie - Pennsylvania's Health Care Marketplace
Pennie provides information on health care coverage available and how to sign up. All Pennsylvanians can search and choose coverage from November to January 15. After January 15th, folks who experience a Qualifying Life Event are still eligible to apply for financial assistance and shop for health insurance. Visit their website to learn more on qualifying life events.
Benefits.gov
Benefits.gov is the official benefits website of the U.S. government whose mission is to increase citizen access to benefit information, while reducing the expense and difficulty of interacting with the government. It is a free, online confidential tool that helps you find government benefits you may be eligible to receive.
PA Health Law Project Toll-Free Helpline - Call: 1-800-274-3258
The PA Health Law Project provides free legal services and advocacy to Pennsylvanians having trouble accessing publicly funded health care coverage or services. For assistance, call the PHLP Helpline at 1-800-274-3258 or 1-866-236-6310 TTY or e-mail the PHLP at staff@phlp.org. Information from the PHLP is also available online at www.phlp.org.
Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP)
Resources from the Pennsylvania Health Law Project on the Pennsylvania Children's Health Insurance Program.
Getting Care under Medical Assistance
Information from the Pennsylvania Health Law Project on obtaining health care for your children through the Medical Assistance program. (2014)
What is the Children's SSI Program?
Information from Community Legal Services of Philadelphia on the children's Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program for low-income children with severe disabilities.
Getting Medical Assistance for a Child (under 18) with a Severe Disability, Behavioral or Autism Spectrum Disorder
Information special rules on whether a child with a Severe Disability, Behavioral or Autism Spectrum Disorder qualifies for Medical Assistance and how to establish eligibility.
Tips For Effective Advocacy in Getting or Keeping Behavioral Health Services for Your Child
Tips from the Pennsylvania Health Law Project on how to be a good advocate in working to secure Behavioral Health Services for your child. [PDF]
How to Obtain Mental Health and Drug & Alcohol Services in Pennsylvania
Booklet from the Pennsylvania Health Law Project explaining how to obtain Mental Health Services and Drug & Alcohol Services under various programs in Pennsylvania. [PDF]
The Many Doors to Consumer Empowerment - A Guide to Advocacy for Mental Health Consumers in Pennsylvania
This guide was created by the Pennsylvania Health Law Project to help people in Pennsylvania who are dealing with mental illness learn about the mental health system and when, where, and how you can shape it -- if you choose to. [PDF]
Understanding "Wraparound" Services for Children in HealthChoices
Information from the Pennsylvania Health Law Project on "Wraparound" Services, also referred to as Behavioral Health Rehabilitative Services, for Children from your Behavioral Health Managed Care Organization. These are individualized mental health services provided in the home, school, or community to help keep a child at home. [PDF]
COMPASS - Apply for Public Benefits and Services from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania residents can apply for a variety of programs offered by the PA Department of Human Services, including public assistance, food stamps, health care coverage, energy assistance and other social service programs at this site
CHIP - Pennsylvania's Children's Health Insurance Programs
CHIP Program website. CHIP is Pennsylvania's program to provide quality health insurance for children of working families who otherwise could not afford it.
Medical (Health Care) Support in Support Orders
Information from the Pennsylvania Child Support Handbook on how to obtain health care coverage for children from a non-custodial parent in a support order.
Coverage for Young Adults
Information from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services on the Affordable Care Act provisions that allow young adults to stay on their parents' health care plan until age 26.
Insure Kids Now! (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services)
Information from InsureKidsNow.gov, a website sponsored by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, on children's health insurance programs offered by states.
Pennie - Pennsylvania's Health Care Marketplace
Pennie provides information on health care coverage available and how to sign up. All Pennsylvanians can search and choose coverage from November to January 15. After January 15th, folks who experience a Qualifying Life Event are still eligible to apply for financial assistance and shop for health insurance. Visit their website to learn more on qualifying life events.
The Affordable Care Act's New Patient's Bill of Rights
Information from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services on the new Patient's Bill of Rights under the Affordable Care Act which will help children (and eventually all Americans) with pre-existing conditions gain coverage and keep it, protect all American's choice of doctors, and end lifetime limits on the care consumers may receive. These new protections apply to nearly all health insurance plans
Benefits For Children With Disabilities
This booklet from the Social Security Administration is written primarily for the parents and caregivers of children with disabilities and adults disabled since childhood. It illustrates the kinds of Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits a child with a disability might be eligible for and explains how SSA evaluates disability claims for children. [PDF]
Benefit Publications from the Social Security Administration
Large collection of publications providing information on the various programs such as: disability benefits, appeal process, benefits for people with HIV, how workmans' compensation can affect your disability benefits, children with disabilities, info on receiving your payments, benefits for those who are blind or have low vision, details on ticket to work incentives, info on working while disabled, retirement benefits, government pension offset, medicare, windfall provision, survivors benefits, SSI, SSI for non-citizens, food stamps and other nutrition progams, protecting your on social security numbers, and more. Many publications available in Spanish.
Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic, and Treatment
The Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic and Treatment (EPSDT) benefit provides comprehensive and preventive health care services for children under age 21 who are enrolled in Medicaid. EPSDT is key to ensuring that children and adolescents receive appropriate preventive, dental, mental health, and developmental, and specialty services.
Frequently Asked Questions: CMS Waivers, Flexibilities, and the End of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency
Answers to some frequently asked questions about medical coverage from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services related to the End of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency. While some FAQs are relevant for all programs, including Medicare, Medicaid, the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and private insurance, other questions are program specific as indicated.
Pennsylvania Health Care Facilities Search
Search aid from the Pennsylvania Department of Health to help you locate health facilities in Pennsylvania.
Facts About Federal Funding for States to Provide Health Coverage to Immigrant Children and Pregnant Women
Information on Children?s Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2009 (CHIPRA), providng a new opportunity to provide affordable health coverage to many immigrant children and pregnant women through Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP). (August 2010)