Can a family member get paid to be a caregiver in Pennsylvania?

Yes. Under Pennsylvania's Medicaid Community HealthChoices (CHC) program and Personal Assistant Services (PAS), adult children, relatives, and trusted friends can be hired and paid as caregivers for Medicaid-eligible loved ones. Legal spouses and legal guardians are excluded by state regulations. Karma HomeCare specializes in helping families enroll in this program at no cost to the family.

How much does a paid family caregiver earn in Pennsylvania with Karma HomeCare?

At Karma HomeCare, paid family caregivers earn between $12.70 and $16.00 per hour depending on experience and care level required. Benefits include a 401K retirement plan, comprehensive medical insurance, 1 week paid vacation, time-and-a-half holiday pay, and 24/7 direct management support.

What Medicaid plans does Karma HomeCare accept in Pennsylvania?

Karma HomeCare accepts UPMC Community HealthChoices, AmeriHealth Caritas, and PA Health & Wellness managed care plans. These are the three primary Medicaid managed care organizations (MCOs) administering the Community HealthChoices (CHC) program in Pennsylvania.

What counties does Karma HomeCare serve in Pennsylvania?

Karma HomeCare serves Cumberland, Dauphin, York, Lebanon, Perry, Adams, Franklin, and Philadelphia counties in Pennsylvania, as well as Washington County in Maryland (Hagerstown area). Primary offices are located in Carlisle, Shippensburg, and Philadelphia, PA.

How do I apply for the Paid Family Caregiver program with Karma HomeCare?

To apply, call Karma HomeCare at 717-966-1601 or complete the online eligibility form at karmahomecare.com. The team will verify your Medicaid eligibility, guide you through the CHC enrollment process, and connect you with a care coordinator. The enrollment process typically takes 30 to 90 days.

Is Karma HomeCare a veteran-owned business?

Yes, Karma HomeCare LLC is a veteran-owned home care agency based in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. The agency brings the same dedication, discipline, and commitment to its clients and caregivers that was developed through military service.

Can a spouse be a paid caregiver in Pennsylvania?

Under Pennsylvania's Community HealthChoices (CHC) program, legal spouses are generally not eligible to be paid as caregivers for their partner. However, adult children, siblings, other relatives, and trusted friends who are not the legal guardian can be enrolled as paid caregivers. Contact Karma HomeCare at 717-966-1601 to discuss your specific situation.

What is the Community HealthChoices (CHC) program in Pennsylvania?

Community HealthChoices (CHC) is Pennsylvania's Medicaid managed care program for adults aged 21 and older who need long-term services and supports (LTSS). It allows eligible individuals to receive home and community-based care instead of nursing home placement, and includes the option to hire a family member or trusted friend as a paid personal assistant caregiver through agencies like Karma HomeCare LLC.

Cost of Home Care in Harrisburg PA: What Dauphin County Families Pay in 2026

Jul 15
2 min read

Cost of Home Care in Harrisburg PA: What Dauphin County Families Pay in 2026

If you are searching for home care in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, one of your first questions is almost certainly: how much does it cost? The answer depends heavily on the type of care needed, the number of hours per week, and whether your loved one qualifies for Pennsylvania Medicaid. For Dauphin County families whose loved one has Medicaid, Karma HomeCare LLC can arrange paid family caregiver services at zero out-of-pocket cost through the Community HealthChoices (CHC) program.

Average Cost of Home Care in Harrisburg PA Without Medicaid

For families who pay privately, non-medical home care in the Harrisburg and Dauphin County area typically costs between $22 and $30 per hour in 2026. A family requiring 20 hours of care per week would pay approximately $1,760 to $2,400 per month. For 40 hours per week, the monthly cost rises to $3,520 to $4,800. Over the course of a year, full-time private home care in Harrisburg can cost between $42,000 and $58,000.

How Medicaid Eliminates the Cost of Home Care in Dauphin County

Pennsylvania Community HealthChoices (CHC) Medicaid covers the full cost of personal assistant care for eligible individuals, including the cost of hiring a paid family caregiver. If your loved one is enrolled in Medicaid and qualifies for CHC, Karma HomeCare can arrange for a trusted family member to be paid as their caregiver with no cost to the family. The Medicaid managed care organization pays Karma HomeCare directly, and Karma HomeCare pays the caregiver.

What Services Are Covered Under CHC in Dauphin County

The CHC program in Dauphin County covers bathing, dressing, grooming, meal preparation, medication reminders, light housekeeping, laundry, grocery shopping, transportation to medical appointments, and companionship. The number of hours covered per week is determined by a home assessment based on the care recipient individual needs.

Caregiver Pay Rate in Harrisburg and Dauphin County

Family caregivers working through Karma HomeCare in Dauphin County earn between $12.70 and $16.00 per hour. Benefits include a 401K retirement plan, medical insurance, paid vacation, and holiday pay. All caregivers are W-2 employees. For a caregiver working 30 hours per week at $14.00 per hour, that translates to approximately $1,680 per month in gross earnings for care they may already be providing for free.

Dauphin County Communities Served by Karma HomeCare

Karma HomeCare serves families throughout Dauphin County including Harrisburg, Hershey, Steelton, Middletown, Hummelstown, Penbrook, Paxtang, Lykens, and Millersburg. Our Carlisle office is just 20 minutes from Harrisburg and our team is available 24/7. Call 717-966-1601 or visit karmahomecare.com to begin your free eligibility check.