Benefit Limits and Services Not Covered

Benefit limits for AmeriHealth Caritas Pennsylvania members are:

  • For adult members you are limited to one (1) inpatient medical rehabilitation hospital admission each year (see exception process below).
  • If you are an adult in the general assistance category, you are also limited to one (1) acute care inpatient hospital admission each year (see exception process below).

These limits do not apply if you are under age 21 or if you are pregnant.

The limit period starts again on July 1 of every year.

Exception process

You or your provider may ask AmeriHealth Caritas Pennsylvania to approve services above these limits. This is called an exception. An exception can be granted if any one of these situations applies to you:

  • You have a serious chronic illness or other serious health condition and without the
    additional service your life would be in danger.
  • You have a serious chronic illness or other serious health condition and without the
    additional service your health would get much worse.
  • You would need more costly services if the exception is not granted.
  • You would have to go into a nursing home or institution if the exception is not granted.

To ask for an exception before you receive the service:

  1. Call AmeriHealth Caritas Pennsylvania Member Services and tell the representative that you want to ask for an exception to the benefit limits.
  2. You can mail or fax a written request to:
    Benefit Limit Exceptions
    Member Services Department
    AmeriHealth Caritas Pennsylvania
    8040 Carlson Road
    Suite 500
    Harrisburg, PA 17112
    Fax: 717-651-3591
  3. Your provider can call the AmeriHealth Caritas Pennsylvania patient care management department at 1-888-991-7200.

Services not covered

Some of the services that are not covered by the Pennsylvania Medical Assistance program and or AmeriHealth Caritas Pennsylvania include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Experimental medical procedures, medicines, and equipment
  • Services that are not medically necessary
  • Services given by a provider who is not in the AmeriHealth Caritas Pennsylvania provider network, except for:
    • Emergency services
    • Family planning services
    • Tobacco cessation counseling services
    • When there is prior approval from AmeriHealth Caritas Pennsylvania
    • When you have Medicare and seek Medicare-covered services from the Medicare provider of your choice
  • Cosmetic surgery, such as face-lifts, tummy tucks, or liposuction
  • Acupuncture
  • Infertility services
  • Paternity testing
  • Any service offered and covered through another insurance program, such as worker's compensation, TRICARE, or other commercial insurance that has not been prior authorized by AmeriHealth Caritas Pennsylvania. However, Medicare-covered services do not require prior authorization.
  • Services provided outside the United States and its territories. AmeriHealth Caritas Pennsylvania is not allowed to make payments outside of the United States.
  • Services not considered to be a "medical service" under Title XIX of the Social Security Act
  • Diapers and/or pull-up diapers for members under the age of 3

This is not a complete list of non-covered services.

AmeriHealth Caritas Pennsylvania may not cover all of your health care expenses. You may be responsible for payment of services if you have been told in advance that AmeriHealth Caritas Pennsylvania does not cover the services. It is important to check with your PCP or AmeriHealth Caritas Pennsylvania Member Services to find out which health care services are covered.

If you cannot find what you are looking for on our website, please call Member Services at 1-888-991-7200. Our representatives are there to help you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Members