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Description of Consumer Directed Personal Assistant Services
In Minnesota Under Medical Assistance:

Who is eligible for the PCA Choice option?
To be eligible for the PCA Choice option a person must meet all these criteria:

  • Be able to manage the responsibilities of hiring, training and firing employees or live with someone who can make those decisions for you

  • Be eligible for PCA services through Medical Assistance

  • Have an illness, injury, physical or mental condition that requires the level of support a PCA can provide

    • What services are covered under PCA Choice option?
    The services covered under PCA Choice option are the same as those covered under the traditional PCA program. PCA services must be medically necessary and ordered by a physician. These services may include:  

  • Activities of daily living, including eating, toileting, grooming, dressing, bathing, transferring, mobility and positioning

  • Health related functions that, under state law, can be delegated or assigned by a licensed health care professional to be performed by a PCA

  • Instrumental activities of daily living, including meal planning and preparation, managing finances, shopping for essential items, performing essential household chores, communication by telephone and other media and getting around and participating in the community

  • Redirection and intervention for behavior: including observation and monitoring

    • Consumer Rights:
    1.  May hire anyone 18 years old or older they want to work for them as a PCA worker, excluding parents of minors,  spouses and the responsible party.  Only requirement is to PCAs a background check that the PCA Choice organization submits to DHS licensing division.  The individual hired also must be able to perform the duties necessary in providing assistance to the consumer.
    2.  Have the right to terminate the PCA worker.
    3.  Should assist with determining the rate of pay for the PCA workers.
    4.  Set the PCA worker schedule

    Consumer Responsibilities:
    1.  Recruiting their own PCA workers, including developing a job description, interviewing, screening, advertising, etc.
    2.  Ensuring PCA workers are qualified to provide needed assistance to consumer.
    3.  Having a care plan specifying kinds of assistance needed.
    4.  Obtaining doctors orders documenting need for a PCA
    5.  Setting their schedule and identifying when they need PCA
    5.  Scheduling PCA workers to cover their needs for assistance
    6.  Submitting time cards through the organization of documented hours worked
    7.  Training PCA workers.  Consumers may get assistance for this if they choose PCA professional supervision at the time of their assessment for PCA hours.
    8.  Providing their own backup assistance in case their staff is unable to provide assistance.
    *In the flexible use option, consumers must keep track of the hours they use so they don't run out of hours before the end of their service agreement.
     

    To Help With PCA Choice Rules and Definitions: