The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) provides Personal Care Assistance (PCA) services to support individuals with disabilities, the elderly, and those with special health care needs in living independently within their communities. These services are delivered in the member's home or community settings to assist with daily activities.

Key Features:

• Assessment Process:

  • An assessor from a lead agency evaluates the individual's need for PCA services.

  • Determines the individual's ability to direct their own care or the necessity for a responsible party.

  • Assesses eligibility based on specific criteria.

• Service Options:

  • PCA Choice Option: Allows individuals to manage aspects such as hiring, training, and scheduling their PCAs.

  • Shared Services Option: Enables sharing a PCA with up to two other individuals in the same setting.

• Supervision:

  • A Qualified Professional (QP) provides oversight to ensure service quality and adherence to care plans.

• Provider Enrollment:

  • Agencies must meet specific enrollment requirements to offer PCA services.

  • Individual PCAs are enrolled through these agencies and must fulfill training and background check criteria.

• Eligibility:

  • Applicable to members of Minnesota Health Care Programs (MHCP) who meet certain program criteria.

• Covered Services:

  • Assistance with activities of daily living, health-related tasks, and observation and redirection of behaviors.

• Non-Covered Services:

  • Services not authorized or not aligned with the individual's care plan.

• Authorization and Billing:

  • All PCA services require prior authorization.

  • Providers must adhere to DHS billing policies and maintain thorough documentation.

For comprehensive details, including legal references and additional guidelines, please refer to the DHS PCA Provider Manual: Personal Care Assistance Services

This resource offers in-depth information on PCA services, ensuring that providers and recipients understand the program's structure and requirements.

🔗 Personal Care Assistance Services