Pennsylvania Code
Title 55 - HUMAN SERVICES
Part II - Public Assistance Manual
Subpart C - Eligibility Requirements
Chapter 140 - SPECIAL MA ELIGIBILITY PROVISIONS
Subchapter A - THE CATEGORICALLY NEEDY HEALTHY BEGINNINGS PROGRAM FOR PREGNANT WOMEN AND QUALIFIED CHILDREN
GENERAL PROVISIONS
Section 140.1 - Policy on Healthy Beginnings

(a) The Department provides MA under the Categorically Needy Healthy Beginnings Program to pregnant women and qualified children who are otherwise eligible with family income that does not exceed the percentage of the Federal Poverty Income Guidelines (FPIGs) for mandatory coverage set forth in section 1902 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C.A. § 1396a). Future Federally mandated changes to the income or age standards will be published as a notice in the Pennsylvania Bulletin and will be made available upon request at the CAOs.

(b) The Department also provides MA under the Categorically Needy Healthy Beginnings Program to pregnant women and infants up to age 1 who are otherwise eligible with family income up to 185% of the FPIGs, as allowed under the optional provisions set forth in section 1902 of the Social Security Act.

(c) MA will be provided under the Program which is most advantageous for the client based on individual circumstances. Eligibility for MA benefits under both the NMP-MA and MNO-MA Programs will also be explored.