Pennsylvania Medical Assistance: COMPASS Application, Documents, Renewal and Appeal Steps

Quick answer: Pennsylvania calls Medicaid “Medical Assistance.” Many applicants use COMPASS, but disability, working-disabled and long-term-care pathways can require additional financial or functional information.

Last reviewed September 7, 2026.

Official starting points

• Pennsylvania COMPASS
• Pennsylvania DHS Medical Assistance
• Your County Assistance Office for case-specific instructions

Application steps

1. Select Medical Assistance and identify each person requesting coverage.
2. Complete household, income and insurance questions.
3. Answer disability and long-term-care questions accurately.
4. Save the confirmation number.
5. Upload requested records in a readable format.
6. Check COMPASS and mail for follow-up notices.
7. Read the decision for every applicant.

Documents to organize

• Identity and Pennsylvania residency
• Pay statements and other requested income records
• Household and tax-dependent information
• Medicare or other health-insurance information
• Disability or long-term-care records when requested
• Resource information if the particular pathway requires it

Do not rely on one income table

Children, pregnant people, parents, expansion adults, people with disabilities and long-term-care applicants can have different rules. Ask DHS or the County Assistance Office which eligibility group was evaluated.

Renewal and reporting

Keep the mailing address and contact information current. Complete the renewal and document requests by the deadline shown in COMPASS or the notice. Save proof of every submission.

If coverage is denied or closed

Identify whether the issue is income, missing proof, household information, resources, disability status or a functional requirement. Follow the appeal deadline printed on the notice and request help from the agency when the calculation appears wrong.

Related guides

• Pennsylvania Medicaid application guide
• Pennsylvania MAWD guide
• Medicaid appeal guide

GlobalBenefits.org is an independent informational website, not a government agency. The responsible state agency makes eligibility and benefit decisions.

Written and reviewed by Jin Daewoo. We use official agency sources under our Editorial Policy. Report an error through our Corrections Policy.