Additional community resources:
Medicaid & health insurance
Medicaid
Medical Assistance or Medicaid pays for health care services for eligible individuals.
How to apply:
You may apply online at here or by contacting your local County Assistance Office (CAO). The phone number for the Chester County CAO is 610-466-1000. You can find another CAO here.
Health Insurance
It is important to have health insurance to protect your health and well-being. No one can plan on being sick or injured, so having healthcare coverage can cover essential health benefits, medical care for illness and accidents, and helps protect against unexpected, high medical bills.
Understanding Health insurance:
Navigating health insurance can be confusing and difficult to understand, but it is important to know how to use your insurance, know what is covered, and where to go when you have a problem. Learn more about health insurance here.
How to get health insurance:
In addition to Medicaid (see above), PA residence have other options when it comes to affordable insurance.
Pennie
Pennie is PA’s insurance marketplace and provides the ability to shop for high-quality health care plans and easily apply for financial assistance. Open enrollment for Pennie is November 1st through January 15th. Pennie also offered Special Enrollment periods for changes in life circumstances (i.e. loss of health care coverage, change in marital status, or moving) to allow applications at any time. Learn more about Pennie here.
CHIP
The Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) can help if you are looking for coverage for your children. CHIP provides coverage for uninsured children and teens that are not eligible or enrolled in Medicaid. To learn more or apply, click here.
COBRA
If you have been laid off COBRA allows you to continue the coverage provided by your former employer. Find out if you are entitled to COBRA coverage or more about your COBRA options here.
Community Volunteers in Medicine
CVIM provides free health care to low income individuals who are uninsured. Services include general medicine, dental care, physical exams, health education, and more. After the first appointment, transportation is provided, if needed. Call for an initial eligibility assessment to see if you qualify.
Address: 300 B Lawrence Drive West Chester, PA 19380
Phone: 610-836-5990
Chester County Assistance Office
This office provides case management services to enroll in government financial assistance programs such as SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families), WIC (Women, Infants, and Children), CHIP (Children's Health Insurance Program), Medicaid, and LIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program). They may also be able to assist with utility bill payments or locating affordable child care.
Address: 313 West Market St West Chester, PA 19382
Phone: 610-344-6000
LCH offers many bilingual services including affordable health care, case management, legal consultation, health insurance enrollment assistance, English as a Second Language classes, and citizenship classes.
Address: 731 Cypress Street Kennett Square, PA 19348
Phone: 610-444-7550
Maternal and Child Health Consortium of Chester County
MCHC is dedicated to serving the health needs of pregnant and parenting women, families, and children. The services include a Healthy Start program for kids, health insurance and benefits application assistance, transportation information, utility and rental assistance, as well as parenting education and life skills courses. Bilingual supports are available.
Address: 1001 East Lincoln Highway Coatesville, PA 19320
Phone: 484-378-4030
This organization serves the needs of veterans. They can assist with eligibility and enrollment assistance for medical benefits, help you find employment, provide mental health counseling, as well as a wide range of health care options that include but are not limited to: physical therapy, primary care, and rehabilitation for drug and alcohol abuse.
Address: 1400 Blackhorse Hill Road Coatesville, PA 19320
Phone: 610-384-7711
West Chester Health Center (Planned Parenthood)
The health center accepts most insurance plans. If you do not have health insurance, affordable care options may be available. They provide primary health care, HIV/AIDS education and medicine, STD testing and vaccinations, birth control, pregnancy testing and services, and LGBTQ+ supports.
Address: 8 S Wayne St West Chester, PA 19382
Phone: 610-692-1770
