In Pennsylvania, the license families see for assisted living is "Assisted Living Residence (ALR)", issued by the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, Office of Long-Term Living, Bureau of Human Services Licensing. A medical evaluation on a form the Department specifies must be completed within 60 days before admission. If the residence starts a move-out, it must give the resident, family or designated person 30 days' written notice with the reason.
Key facts
- The median monthly cost of assisted living in Pennsylvania was $6,480 in CareScout's 2025 Cost of Care Survey, or $77,760 a year, $280 above the national median of $6,200 a month. (CareScout, 2026)
- Community HealthChoices (CHC), Pennsylvania's Medicaid managed care program for long-term services, lets its health plans offer assisted living as an 'in lieu of service' in place of nursing home care. (Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, 2025)
- The medical evaluation must show a tuberculin skin test with negative results within the past 2 years, or a chest X-ray result if the skin test was positive. (Pennsylvania Code, 2026)
- A staff person who has passed a Department-approved medication administration course within the past 2 years may give medicines by mouth or on the skin, eye, ear and nose drops, and epinephrine shots for allergies. (Pennsylvania Code, 2026)
- Dementia care is provided in a special care unit, which requires a written cognitive preadmission screening on the Department's form within 72 hours before admission and a medical evaluation showing the dementia diagnosis. (Pennsylvania Code, 2026)
Pennsylvania licenses assisted living residences under 55 Pa. Code Chapter 2800, and a residence may also run a special care unit for people with dementia or brain injury. Personal care homes are a separate license under Chapter 2600, and the Department of Human Services licenses both; the facts on this page are for assisted living residences.
Rules change and communities can set stricter policies. Before you sign, confirm the details with the community and the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, Office of Long-Term Living, Bureau of Human Services Licensing. This page is general information, not legal advice.
The rules at a glance
| Medical assessment before move-in | A medical evaluation on a form the Department specifies must be completed within 60 days before admission. It may be completed within 15 days after admission if the person comes directly from an acute care hospital, is escaping an abusive situation, or has no other place to live. [3] More on this |
|---|---|
| TB test | The medical evaluation must show a tuberculin skin test with negative results within the past 2 years, or a chest X-ray result if the skin test was positive. If no skin test has been given, it must be given within 15 days after admission. [4] More on this |
| Notice before a move-out | If the residence starts a move-out, it must give the resident, family or designated person 30 days' written notice with the reason. Reasons allowed include danger to self or others, needs it cannot meet, nonpayment, repeated documented violations of residence rules, closure or a court order, and shorter notice is allowed when a delay would risk health or safety. [5] More on this |
| Who may give medications | A staff person who has passed a Department-approved medication administration course within the past 2 years may give medicines by mouth or on the skin, eye, ear and nose drops, and epinephrine shots for allergies. Staff may give insulin shots only after also completing a Department-approved diabetes patient education program within the past 12 months. [6] More on this |
| Memory care and dementia | Dementia care is provided in a special care unit, which requires a written cognitive preadmission screening on the Department's form within 72 hours before admission and a medical evaluation showing the dementia diagnosis. Residents are reassessed every quarter, and a residence that advertises dementia care must give written information on its philosophy, activities, security and staff training. [7] |
| Long-term care ombudsman | Pennsylvania's Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program helps people living in nursing homes, assisted living facilities and personal care homes; call 717-783-8975 or email LTC-Ombudsman@pa.gov to reach a local ombudsman. [8] Official page More on this |
| Medicaid help | Community HealthChoices (CHC), Pennsylvania's Medicaid managed care program for long-term services, lets its health plans offer assisted living as an 'in lieu of service' in place of nursing home care. It is optional for the plan and for the person, and it does not pay for room and board. [9] Official page More on this |
What assisted living costs in Pennsylvania
The median monthly cost of assisted living in Pennsylvania was $6,480 in CareScout's 2025 Cost of Care Survey, or $77,760 a year, $280 above the national median of $6,200 a month. [10]
A median is the middle of the rates communities reported, so many charge more or less. Rates differ between regions and by the care a resident needs, so ask each community for its full fee list in writing. More: assisted living costs in every state, a monthly budget and the costs that aren't in the base rate.
How to check a community in Pennsylvania
Search the DHS Human Services Provider Directory and choose Assisted Living Residences as the program office. Each listing shows the license status and links to an inspection summary. Search Pennsylvania's records. [2]
The licensing agency: Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, Office of Long-Term Living, Bureau of Human Services Licensing. [1] Our guide on how to read an inspection report explains what to look for.
Put Pennsylvania's paperwork on a date
Parent Move Plan counts every task back from the move-in day, including the medical assessment and TB screening the community will ask for, so nothing lands in the last week.
Get your first 3 days freeFrequently asked questions
How much does assisted living cost in Pennsylvania?
The median monthly cost of assisted living in Pennsylvania was $6,480 in CareScout's 2025 Cost of Care Survey, or $77,760 a year, $280 above the national median of $6,200 a month. A median is the middle of the rates communities reported, so many charge more or less, and rates differ between regions and by the care a resident needs.
What medical assessment does Pennsylvania require before moving into assisted living?
A medical evaluation on a form the Department specifies must be completed within 60 days before admission. It may be completed within 15 days after admission if the person comes directly from an acute care hospital, is escaping an abusive situation, or has no other place to live.
Does Pennsylvania require a TB test for assisted living?
The medical evaluation must show a tuberculin skin test with negative results within the past 2 years, or a chest X-ray result if the skin test was positive. If no skin test has been given, it must be given within 15 days after admission.
How much notice must an assisted living community in Pennsylvania give before a move-out?
If the residence starts a move-out, it must give the resident, family or designated person 30 days' written notice with the reason. Reasons allowed include danger to self or others, needs it cannot meet, nonpayment, repeated documented violations of residence rules, closure or a court order, and shorter notice is allowed when a delay would risk health or safety.
Who can give medications in assisted living in Pennsylvania?
A staff person who has passed a Department-approved medication administration course within the past 2 years may give medicines by mouth or on the skin, eye, ear and nose drops, and epinephrine shots for allergies. Staff may give insulin shots only after also completing a Department-approved diabetes patient education program within the past 12 months.
Who can help with a complaint about assisted living in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania's Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program helps people living in nursing homes, assisted living facilities and personal care homes; call 717-783-8975 or email LTC-Ombudsman@pa.gov to reach a local ombudsman.
Does Medicaid pay for assisted living in Pennsylvania?
Community HealthChoices (CHC), Pennsylvania's Medicaid managed care program for long-term services, lets its health plans offer assisted living as an 'in lieu of service' in place of nursing home care. It is optional for the plan and for the person, and it does not pay for room and board.
Sources
- Pennsylvania Department of Human Services: PCH & ALR Licensing (2026) (checked October 22, 2026)
- Pennsylvania Department of Human Services: Human Services Provider Directory (2026) (checked October 22, 2026)
- Pennsylvania Code: 55 Pa. Code § 2800.22, Application and admission (2026) (checked October 22, 2026)
- Pennsylvania Code: 55 Pa. Code § 2800.141, Resident medical evaluation and health care (2026) (checked October 22, 2026)
- Pennsylvania Code: 55 Pa. Code § 2800.228, Transfer and discharge (amended 2016) (checked October 22, 2026)
- Pennsylvania Code: 55 Pa. Code § 2800.190, Medication administration training (2026) (checked October 22, 2026)
- Pennsylvania Code: 55 Pa. Code § 2800.231, Special care units: Admission (2026) (checked October 22, 2026)
- Commonwealth of Pennsylvania: Request Assistance from a Long-Term Care Ombudsman (2026) (checked October 22, 2026)
- Pennsylvania Department of Human Services: LTSS Subcommittee meeting transcript, assisted living in lieu of services presentation (January 8, 2025) (checked October 22, 2026)
- CareScout: Cost of Care Survey 2025, Ranked Median Costs by State (2026) (checked October 22, 2026)