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Find a doctor that takes Medicaid in Pennsylvania

Alex Chen
Alex Chen
Updated August 17, 2026 · 2 min read

Summary: Finding a Pennsylvania primary-care doctor who takes your PA Medical Assistance plan and is accepting new patients usually takes a round of phone calls — directories are frequently outdated, with a federal study finding about 35% of "accepting new patients" listings wrong when called.

Step by step

  1. Confirm your PA Medical Assistance plan name and member ID (UPMC for You, Highmark Wholecare, Geisinger Health Plan Family and others operate in Pennsylvania).
  2. Pull a shortlist from an official source: your plan’s in-network provider search or the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS)’s directory at https://www.healthchoices.pa.gov.
  3. Use the directory’s filters (specialty: primary care / family medicine, and a "new patients" indicator).
  4. Call each office to confirm they take your plan AND are accepting new patients.
  5. Ask about the next available new-patient appointment and book it.

Medicaid in Pennsylvania: who runs it

Pennsylvania’s program is Pennsylvania Medical Assistance (HealthChoices managed care), run by the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS). The member line is 1-800-692-7462 (PA Medical Assistance helpline), and the official plan and provider directory is at https://www.healthchoices.pa.gov.

Plans you’ll see in Pennsylvania

Offices credential with specific plans, so "do you take Medicaid" is the wrong question — ask about your plan by name:

  • UPMC for You
  • Highmark Wholecare
  • Geisinger Health Plan Family
  • AmeriHealth Caritas
  • Keystone First
  • Health Partners Plans

Pennsylvania-specific things to know

  • Pennsylvania calls Medicaid "Medical Assistance" — using that phrase with dental offices avoids confusion.
  • HealthChoices plans are regional (Southeast, Lehigh/Capital, Northwest, etc.); a Philadelphia plan like Keystone First does not operate in Pittsburgh.
  • Adult dental under PA Medical Assistance is limited (exams, cleanings, extractions and some dentures); children get full coverage.
  • Each HealthChoices plan’s dental subcontractor runs its own directory — the plan member line will tell you which administrator you have.

Common mistakes to avoid

  • Relying on a directory that hasn’t been updated.
  • Not confirming new-patient availability before traveling to an appointment.

Let Karen make the calls

Karen calls down the list for you and reports back what it found — you just pick.

If Karen needs a detail she doesn’t have, or someone asks to verify your identity, she’ll add you to the call for a quick warm handoff so you can take over.

Have Karen make the call

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Frequently asked questions

How do I find a primary care doctor that takes Medicaid in Pennsylvania?

Start from your plan’s in-network directory or the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) (https://www.healthchoices.pa.gov), filter for primary care, then call each office to confirm they take your specific Pennsylvania Medicaid plan and are accepting new patients.

Why do I have to call if the directory says they accept Medicaid?

Because the listings are often out of date — a federal study found roughly 35% of providers shown as "accepting new patients" weren’t when contacted. A quick call saves a wasted trip.

Who handles Medicaid dental in Pennsylvania?

Your HealthChoices plan, through a dental administrator such as DentaQuest, Avesis or Skygen. Call the plan member line to find out which one and get its directory.

Can Karen make these calls?

Yes. Karen works down a list of Pennsylvania practices, confirms plan acceptance and new-patient availability, and tells you which ones to book.

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