A support worker is someone trained to help people that need support to take care of their day-to-day activities. Support workers help people live and work within their own communities. These support workers help with daily living needs because of disease, a disabling condition, or complications related to aging. Activities they can help with include: * Daily living activities * Health related activities * Behavior observation and monitoring Community First Services and Supports (CFSS) provider agencies support people eligible for CFSS who select the CFSS agency model by employing their workers and performing all employment tasks such as: recruiting, hiring, training, supervising and evaluating support workers (they do not support individuals in the CFSS budget model). The individual receiving care is still responsible for directing their own care and has a say in selecting their support worker, setting worker's schedules and can participate in the training and supervising of their support worker.

A support worker is someone trained to help people that need support to take care of their day-to-day activities. Support workers help people live and work within their own communities. These support workers help with daily living needs because of disease, a disabling condition, or complications related to aging. Activities they can help with include: * Daily living activities * Health related activities * Behavior observation and monitoring Community First Services and Supports (CFSS) provider agencies support people eligible for CFSS who select the CFSS agency model by employing their workers and performing all employment tasks such as: recruiting, hiring, training, supervising and evaluating support workers (they do not support individuals in the CFSS budget model). The individual receiving care is still responsible for directing their own care and has a say in selecting their support worker, setting worker's schedules and can participate in the training and supervising of their support worker.

Providers with a comprehensive home care license are licensed by the Minnesota Department of Health. These services are for people who, because of an illness, disability, or physical condition, cannot perform the tasks for themselves, or who cannot travel to receive health services. A licensed comprehensive home care agency may provide the services of licensed health professionals such as: * Nurses * Physical, speech-language, and occupational therapists * Dieticians or nutritionists * Social workers The services may include medication management; complex medical care like tube feedings and ventilator care; hands-on assistance with transfers and mobility; treatment and therapies; assisting clients with eating when the clients have complicating eating problems; and other health-related procedures. Sometimes health-related tasks are delegated to and performed by unlicensed personnel under the supervision of a registered nurse or other licensed health professionals. Home care providers with a comprehensive license also assist people with non-medical tasks, such as going to the bathroom, bathing, and transferring from one location to another. In addition, some home care providers with a state-issued comprehensive license are Medicare certified. Medicare certification indicates that the agency has met additional federal standards and inspections. Medicare certification can be important if the person getting services seeks payment from insurance or Medicare. Check under Licenses and Certifications to see if this agency is Medicare certified.

Providers with a comprehensive home care license are licensed by the Minnesota Department of Health. These services are for people who, because of an illness, disability, or physical condition, cannot perform the tasks for themselves, or who cannot travel to receive health services. A licensed comprehensive home care agency may provide the services of licensed health professionals such as: * Nurses * Physical, speech-language, and occupational therapists * Dieticians or nutritionists * Social workers The services may include medication management; complex medical care like tube feedings and ventilator care; hands-on assistance with transfers and mobility; treatment and therapies; assisting clients with eating when the clients have complicating eating problems; and other health-related procedures. Sometimes health-related tasks are delegated to and performed by unlicensed personnel under the supervision of a registered nurse or other licensed health professionals. Home care providers with a comprehensive license also assist people with non-medical tasks, such as going to the bathroom, bathing, and transferring from one location to another. In addition, some home care providers with a state-issued comprehensive license are Medicare certified. Medicare certification indicates that the agency has met additional federal standards and inspections. Medicare certification can be important if the person getting services seeks payment from insurance or Medicare. Check under Licenses and Certifications to see if this agency is Medicare certified.

A Personal Care Assistant (PCA) is a trained worker who helps people that need support to take care of their day-to-day activities and who are on a state program (Medical Assistance, waiver programs, or Alternative Care). Personal assistance services help individuals live and work within their own communities. PCAs help people who need support to take care of daily living needs because of disease, a disabling condition, or complications related to aging. Personal care assistance services must be deemed medically necessary as determined by an assessment. The assessment must find that the person needs help to complete at least one of eight activities of daily living or exhibit Level 1 behavior. The four categories of services that a person can receive assistance in are: * Activities of Daily Living: eating, toileting, grooming, dressing, bathing, transferring (such as getting in and out of bed), mobility, and positioning * Health-related functions, which, 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: meal planning and preparation, managing finances, shopping for essential items, performing essential household chores, communication by telephone and other media, and participating in the community * Redirection and intervention for behavior including observation and monitoring If you are enrolled in Medical Assistance, a waiver program, or Alternative Care, there are two possible ways that you may receive PCA services in Minnesota: * You may select an individual worker (where you are responsible for hiring, supervising and firing) * You may hire a home care agency who selects and oversees your worker If you choose to hire your own workers, you will also choose a PCA Choice provider (usually a home health agency) as a fiscal intermediary. The PCA Choice provider is responsible for billing the Department of Human Services (DHS) for PCA services and paying your PCA workers. PCA has begun transitioning to Community First Services and Supports (CFSS). Individuals currently using PCA will transition to CFSS at their next reassessment.

A support worker is someone trained to help people that need support to take care of their day-to-day activities. Support workers help people live and work within their own communities. These support workers help with daily living needs because of disease, a disabling condition, or complications related to aging. Activities they can help with include: * Daily living activities * Health related activities * Behavior observation and monitoring Community First Services and Supports (CFSS) provider agencies support people eligible for CFSS who select the CFSS agency model by employing their workers and performing all employment tasks such as: recruiting, hiring, training, supervising and evaluating support workers (they do not support individuals in the CFSS budget model). The individual receiving care is still responsible for directing their own care and has a say in selecting their support worker, setting worker's schedules and can participate in the training and supervising of their support worker.

A Personal Care Assistant (PCA) is a trained worker who helps people that need support to take care of their day-to-day activities and who are on a state program (Medical Assistance, waiver programs, or Alternative Care). Personal assistance services help individuals live and work within their own communities. PCAs help people who need support to take care of daily living needs because of disease, a disabling condition, or complications related to aging. Personal care assistance services must be deemed medically necessary as determined by an assessment. The assessment must find that the person needs help to complete at least one of eight activities of daily living or exhibit Level 1 behavior. The four categories of services that a person can receive assistance in are: * Activities of Daily Living: eating, toileting, grooming, dressing, bathing, transferring (such as getting in and out of bed), mobility, and positioning * Health-related functions, which, 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: meal planning and preparation, managing finances, shopping for essential items, performing essential household chores, communication by telephone and other media, and participating in the community * Redirection and intervention for behavior including observation and monitoring If you are enrolled in Medical Assistance, a waiver program, or Alternative Care, there are two possible ways that you may receive PCA services in Minnesota: * You may select an individual worker (where you are responsible for hiring, supervising and firing) * You may hire a home care agency who selects and oversees your worker If you choose to hire your own workers, you will also choose a PCA Choice provider (usually a home health agency) as a fiscal intermediary. The PCA Choice provider is responsible for billing the Department of Human Services (DHS) for PCA services and paying your PCA workers. PCA has begun transitioning to Community First Services and Supports (CFSS). Individuals currently using PCA will transition to CFSS at their next reassessment.

A support worker is someone trained to help people that need support to take care of their day-to-day activities. Support workers help people live and work within their own communities. These support workers help with daily living needs because of disease, a disabling condition, or complications related to aging. Activities they can help with include: * Daily living activities * Health related activities * Behavior observation and monitoring Community First Services and Supports (CFSS) provider agencies support people eligible for CFSS who select the CFSS agency model by employing their workers and performing all employment tasks such as: recruiting, hiring, training, supervising and evaluating support workers (they do not support individuals in the CFSS budget model). The individual receiving care is still responsible for directing their own care and has a say in selecting their support worker, setting worker's schedules and can participate in the training and supervising of their support worker.

Providers with a comprehensive home care license are licensed by the Minnesota Department of Health. These services are for people who, because of an illness, disability, or physical condition, cannot perform the tasks for themselves, or who cannot travel to receive health services. A licensed comprehensive home care agency may provide the services of licensed health professionals such as: * Nurses * Physical, speech-language, and occupational therapists * Dieticians or nutritionists * Social workers The services may include medication management; complex medical care like tube feedings and ventilator care; hands-on assistance with transfers and mobility; treatment and therapies; assisting clients with eating when the clients have complicating eating problems; and other health-related procedures. Sometimes health-related tasks are delegated to and performed by unlicensed personnel under the supervision of a registered nurse or other licensed health professionals. Home care providers with a comprehensive license also assist people with non-medical tasks, such as going to the bathroom, bathing, and transferring from one location to another. In addition, some home care providers with a state-issued comprehensive license are Medicare certified. Medicare certification indicates that the agency has met additional federal standards and inspections. Medicare certification can be important if the person getting services seeks payment from insurance or Medicare. Check under Licenses and Certifications to see if this agency is Medicare certified.

A support worker is someone trained to help people that need support to take care of their day-to-day activities. Support workers help people live and work within their own communities. These support workers help with daily living needs because of disease, a disabling condition, or complications related to aging. Activities they can help with include: * Daily living activities * Health related activities * Behavior observation and monitoring Community First Services and Supports (CFSS) provider agencies support people eligible for CFSS who select the CFSS agency model by employing their workers and performing all employment tasks such as: recruiting, hiring, training, supervising and evaluating support workers (they do not support individuals in the CFSS budget model). The individual receiving care is still responsible for directing their own care and has a say in selecting their support worker, setting worker's schedules and can participate in the training and supervising of their support worker.

A support worker is someone trained to help people that need support to take care of their day-to-day activities. Support workers help people live and work within their own communities. These support workers help with daily living needs because of disease, a disabling condition, or complications related to aging. Activities they can help with include: * Daily living activities * Health related activities * Behavior observation and monitoring Community First Services and Supports (CFSS) provider agencies support people eligible for CFSS who select the CFSS agency model by employing their workers and performing all employment tasks such as: recruiting, hiring, training, supervising and evaluating support workers (they do not support individuals in the CFSS budget model). The individual receiving care is still responsible for directing their own care and has a say in selecting their support worker, setting worker's schedules and can participate in the training and supervising of their support worker.

Providers with a comprehensive home care license are licensed by the Minnesota Department of Health. These services are for people who, because of an illness, disability, or physical condition, cannot perform the tasks for themselves, or who cannot travel to receive health services. A licensed comprehensive home care agency may provide the services of licensed health professionals such as: * Nurses * Physical, speech-language, and occupational therapists * Dieticians or nutritionists * Social workers The services may include medication management; complex medical care like tube feedings and ventilator care; hands-on assistance with transfers and mobility; treatment and therapies; assisting clients with eating when the clients have complicating eating problems; and other health-related procedures. Sometimes health-related tasks are delegated to and performed by unlicensed personnel under the supervision of a registered nurse or other licensed health professionals. Home care providers with a comprehensive license also assist people with non-medical tasks, such as going to the bathroom, bathing, and transferring from one location to another. In addition, some home care providers with a state-issued comprehensive license are Medicare certified. Medicare certification indicates that the agency has met additional federal standards and inspections. Medicare certification can be important if the person getting services seeks payment from insurance or Medicare. Check under Licenses and Certifications to see if this agency is Medicare certified. MORE INFORMATION Provides in-home care services to seniors in their own home. Services include: * Companionship * Personal Care Services * Hygiene, Grooming and Dressing * Continence Care and Toileting Assistance * Medication Reminders and Administration * Meal Preparation * Eating Assistance * Walking and Exercise Assistance * Recreational Activities * Light Housekeeping and Laundry * Shopping and Errand Services * Incoming Mail Organization * Family respite care

A Personal Care Assistant (PCA) is a trained worker who helps people that need support to take care of their day-to-day activities and who are on a state program (Medical Assistance, waiver programs, or Alternative Care). Personal assistance services help individuals live and work within their own communities. PCAs help people who need support to take care of daily living needs because of disease, a disabling condition, or complications related to aging. Personal care assistance services must be deemed medically necessary as determined by an assessment. The assessment must find that the person needs help to complete at least one of eight activities of daily living or exhibit Level 1 behavior. The four categories of services that a person can receive assistance in are: * Activities of Daily Living: eating, toileting, grooming, dressing, bathing, transferring (such as getting in and out of bed), mobility, and positioning * Health-related functions, which, 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: meal planning and preparation, managing finances, shopping for essential items, performing essential household chores, communication by telephone and other media, and participating in the community * Redirection and intervention for behavior including observation and monitoring If you are enrolled in Medical Assistance, a waiver program, or Alternative Care, there are two possible ways that you may receive PCA services in Minnesota: * You may select an individual worker (where you are responsible for hiring, supervising and firing) * You may hire a home care agency who selects and oversees your worker If you choose to hire your own workers, you will also choose a PCA Choice provider (usually a home health agency) as a fiscal intermediary. The PCA Choice provider is responsible for billing the Department of Human Services (DHS) for PCA services and paying your PCA workers. PCA has begun transitioning to Community First Services and Supports (CFSS). Individuals currently using PCA will transition to CFSS at their next reassessment.

A Personal Care Assistant (PCA) is a trained worker who helps people that need support to take care of their day-to-day activities and who are on a state program (Medical Assistance, waiver programs, or Alternative Care). Personal assistance services help individuals live and work within their own communities. PCAs help people who need support to take care of daily living needs because of disease, a disabling condition, or complications related to aging. Personal care assistance services must be deemed medically necessary as determined by an assessment. The assessment must find that the person needs help to complete at least one of eight activities of daily living or exhibit Level 1 behavior. The four categories of services that a person can receive assistance in are: * Activities of Daily Living: eating, toileting, grooming, dressing, bathing, transferring (such as getting in and out of bed), mobility, and positioning * Health-related functions, which, 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: meal planning and preparation, managing finances, shopping for essential items, performing essential household chores, communication by telephone and other media, and participating in the community * Redirection and intervention for behavior including observation and monitoring If you are enrolled in Medical Assistance, a waiver program, or Alternative Care, there are two possible ways that you may receive PCA services in Minnesota: * You may select an individual worker (where you are responsible for hiring, supervising and firing) * You may hire a home care agency who selects and oversees your worker If you choose to hire your own workers, you will also choose a PCA Choice provider (usually a home health agency) as a fiscal intermediary. The PCA Choice provider is responsible for billing the Department of Human Services (DHS) for PCA services and paying your PCA workers. PCA has begun transitioning to Community First Services and Supports (CFSS). Individuals currently using PCA will transition to CFSS at their next reassessment.

A support worker is someone trained to help people that need support to take care of their day-to-day activities. Support workers help people live and work within their own communities. These support workers help with daily living needs because of disease, a disabling condition, or complications related to aging. Activities they can help with include: * Daily living activities * Health related activities * Behavior observation and monitoring Community First Services and Supports (CFSS) provider agencies support people eligible for CFSS who select the CFSS agency model by employing their workers and performing all employment tasks such as: recruiting, hiring, training, supervising and evaluating support workers (they do not support individuals in the CFSS budget model). The individual receiving care is still responsible for directing their own care and has a say in selecting their support worker, setting worker's schedules and can participate in the training and supervising of their support worker.

A Personal Care Assistant (PCA) is a trained worker who helps people that need support to take care of their day-to-day activities and who are on a state program (Medical Assistance, waiver programs, or Alternative Care). Personal assistance services help individuals live and work within their own communities. PCAs help people who need support to take care of daily living needs because of disease, a disabling condition, or complications related to aging. Personal care assistance services must be deemed medically necessary as determined by an assessment. The assessment must find that the person needs help to complete at least one of eight activities of daily living or exhibit Level 1 behavior. The four categories of services that a person can receive assistance in are: * Activities of Daily Living: eating, toileting, grooming, dressing, bathing, transferring (such as getting in and out of bed), mobility, and positioning * Health-related functions, which, 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: meal planning and preparation, managing finances, shopping for essential items, performing essential household chores, communication by telephone and other media, and participating in the community * Redirection and intervention for behavior including observation and monitoring If you are enrolled in Medical Assistance, a waiver program, or Alternative Care, there are two possible ways that you may receive PCA services in Minnesota: * You may select an individual worker (where you are responsible for hiring, supervising and firing) * You may hire a home care agency who selects and oversees your worker If you choose to hire your own workers, you will also choose a PCA Choice provider (usually a home health agency) as a fiscal intermediary. The PCA Choice provider is responsible for billing the Department of Human Services (DHS) for PCA services and paying your PCA workers. PCA has begun transitioning to Community First Services and Supports (CFSS). Individuals currently using PCA will transition to CFSS at their next reassessment.

Providers with a comprehensive home care license are licensed by the Minnesota Department of Health. These services are for people who, because of an illness, disability, or physical condition, cannot perform the tasks for themselves, or who cannot travel to receive health services. A licensed comprehensive home care agency may provide the services of licensed health professionals such as: * Nurses * Physical, speech-language, and occupational therapists * Dieticians or nutritionists * Social workers The services may include medication management; complex medical care like tube feedings and ventilator care; hands-on assistance with transfers and mobility; treatment and therapies; assisting clients with eating when the clients have complicating eating problems; and other health-related procedures. Sometimes health-related tasks are delegated to and performed by unlicensed personnel under the supervision of a registered nurse or other licensed health professionals. Home care providers with a comprehensive license also assist people with non-medical tasks, such as going to the bathroom, bathing, and transferring from one location to another. In addition, some home care providers with a state-issued comprehensive license are Medicare certified. Medicare certification indicates that the agency has met additional federal standards and inspections. Medicare certification can be important if the person getting services seeks payment from insurance or Medicare. Check under Licenses and Certifications to see if this agency is Medicare certified.

A Personal Care Assistant (PCA) is a trained worker who helps people that need support to take care of their day-to-day activities and who are on a state program (Medical Assistance, waiver programs, or Alternative Care). Personal assistance services help individuals live and work within their own communities. PCAs help people who need support to take care of daily living needs because of disease, a disabling condition, or complications related to aging. Personal care assistance services must be deemed medically necessary as determined by an assessment. The assessment must find that the person needs help to complete at least one of eight activities of daily living or exhibit Level 1 behavior. The four categories of services that a person can receive assistance in are: * Activities of Daily Living: eating, toileting, grooming, dressing, bathing, transferring (such as getting in and out of bed), mobility, and positioning * Health-related functions, which, 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: meal planning and preparation, managing finances, shopping for essential items, performing essential household chores, communication by telephone and other media, and participating in the community * Redirection and intervention for behavior including observation and monitoring If you are enrolled in Medical Assistance, a waiver program, or Alternative Care, there are two possible ways that you may receive PCA services in Minnesota: * You may select an individual worker (where you are responsible for hiring, supervising and firing) * You may hire a home care agency who selects and oversees your worker If you choose to hire your own workers, you will also choose a PCA Choice provider (usually a home health agency) as a fiscal intermediary. The PCA Choice provider is responsible for billing the Department of Human Services (DHS) for PCA services and paying your PCA workers. PCA has begun transitioning to Community First Services and Supports (CFSS). Individuals currently using PCA will transition to CFSS at their next reassessment.

This agency acts as a fiscal intermediary for the Personal Care Assistant (PCA) Choice program. PCA Choice is a service option for people receiving PCA services through Medical Assistance (MA), MA waiver programs or the Alternative Care program. If electing to use this option, the person receiving the services is the employer of their workers and responsible for employment related tasks. In order to participate, the person using PCA Choice (or a responsible party) must designate a PCA Choice Agency to act as a fiscal intermediary. The fiscal intermediary takes care of billing the Department of Human Services (DHS) for the PCA services and paying the PCA. A PCA is a trained worker who helps people that need support to take care of their day-to-day activities and who are on a state program (Medical Assistance, MA waiver programs, or Alternative Care). Personal assistance services help individuals live and work within their own communities. PCAs assist people who need support to take care of daily living needs because of disease, a disabling condition, or complications related to aging. Under the PCA Choice Option, the care recipient is responsible for: * Entering into a written agreement with the PCA Choice agency * Finding, hiring/firing and training PCA staff * Developing a care plan, with help from qualified professional if needed * Monitoring and evaluating PCA staff * Arranging for back-up PCA staff, if needed * Scheduling PCAs * Supervising PCA staff The PCA Choice Agency (fiscal intermediary) is responsible for: * Applying for the criminal check for PCA staff and qualified professional * Enrolling PCA staff with DHS * Billing for PCA and qualified professional services * Maintaining the required liability insurance for PCAs and qualified professionals * Maintaining the written agreements for all PCA staff, qualified professionals, and responsible parties * Paying and withholding taxes for PCA staff and the qualified professional PCA Choice has begun transitioning to Community First Services and Supports (CFSS). Individuals currently using PCA Choice will transition to CFSS at their next reassessment.

This agency acts as a fiscal intermediary for the Personal Care Assistant (PCA) Choice program. PCA Choice is a service option for people receiving PCA services through Medical Assistance (MA), MA waiver programs or the Alternative Care program. If electing to use this option, the person receiving the services is the employer of their workers and responsible for employment related tasks. In order to participate, the person using PCA Choice (or a responsible party) must designate a PCA Choice Agency to act as a fiscal intermediary. The fiscal intermediary takes care of billing the Department of Human Services (DHS) for the PCA services and paying the PCA. A PCA is a trained worker who helps people that need support to take care of their day-to-day activities and who are on a state program (Medical Assistance, MA waiver programs, or Alternative Care). Personal assistance services help individuals live and work within their own communities. PCAs assist people who need support to take care of daily living needs because of disease, a disabling condition, or complications related to aging. Under the PCA Choice Option, the care recipient is responsible for: * Entering into a written agreement with the PCA Choice agency * Finding, hiring/firing and training PCA staff * Developing a care plan, with help from qualified professional if needed * Monitoring and evaluating PCA staff * Arranging for back-up PCA staff, if needed * Scheduling PCAs * Supervising PCA staff The PCA Choice Agency (fiscal intermediary) is responsible for: * Applying for the criminal check for PCA staff and qualified professional * Enrolling PCA staff with DHS * Billing for PCA and qualified professional services * Maintaining the required liability insurance for PCAs and qualified professionals * Maintaining the written agreements for all PCA staff, qualified professionals, and responsible parties * Paying and withholding taxes for PCA staff and the qualified professional PCA Choice has begun transitioning to Community First Services and Supports (CFSS). Individuals currently using PCA Choice will transition to CFSS at their next reassessment.

A Personal Care Assistant (PCA) is a trained worker who helps people that need support to take care of their day-to-day activities and who are on a state program (Medical Assistance, waiver programs, or Alternative Care). Personal assistance services help individuals live and work within their own communities. PCAs help people who need support to take care of daily living needs because of disease, a disabling condition, or complications related to aging. Personal care assistance services must be deemed medically necessary as determined by an assessment. The assessment must find that the person needs help to complete at least one of eight activities of daily living or exhibit Level 1 behavior. The four categories of services that a person can receive assistance in are: * Activities of Daily Living: eating, toileting, grooming, dressing, bathing, transferring (such as getting in and out of bed), mobility, and positioning * Health-related functions, which, 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: meal planning and preparation, managing finances, shopping for essential items, performing essential household chores, communication by telephone and other media, and participating in the community * Redirection and intervention for behavior including observation and monitoring If you are enrolled in Medical Assistance, a waiver program, or Alternative Care, there are two possible ways that you may receive PCA services in Minnesota: * You may select an individual worker (where you are responsible for hiring, supervising and firing) * You may hire a home care agency who selects and oversees your worker If you choose to hire your own workers, you will also choose a PCA Choice provider (usually a home health agency) as a fiscal intermediary. The PCA Choice provider is responsible for billing the Department of Human Services (DHS) for PCA services and paying your PCA workers. PCA has begun transitioning to Community First Services and Supports (CFSS). Individuals currently using PCA will transition to CFSS at their next reassessment.

A Personal Care Assistant (PCA) is a trained worker who helps people that need support to take care of their day-to-day activities and who are on a state program (Medical Assistance, waiver programs, or Alternative Care). Personal assistance services help individuals live and work within their own communities. PCAs help people who need support to take care of daily living needs because of disease, a disabling condition, or complications related to aging. Personal care assistance services must be deemed medically necessary as determined by an assessment. The assessment must find that the person needs help to complete at least one of eight activities of daily living or exhibit Level 1 behavior. The four categories of services that a person can receive assistance in are: * Activities of Daily Living: eating, toileting, grooming, dressing, bathing, transferring (such as getting in and out of bed), mobility, and positioning * Health-related functions, which, 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: meal planning and preparation, managing finances, shopping for essential items, performing essential household chores, communication by telephone and other media, and participating in the community * Redirection and intervention for behavior including observation and monitoring If you are enrolled in Medical Assistance, a waiver program, or Alternative Care, there are two possible ways that you may receive PCA services in Minnesota: * You may select an individual worker (where you are responsible for hiring, supervising and firing) * You may hire a home care agency who selects and oversees your worker If you choose to hire your own workers, you will also choose a PCA Choice provider (usually a home health agency) as a fiscal intermediary. The PCA Choice provider is responsible for billing the Department of Human Services (DHS) for PCA services and paying your PCA workers. PCA has begun transitioning to Community First Services and Supports (CFSS). Individuals currently using PCA will transition to CFSS at their next reassessment.

A Personal Care Assistant (PCA) is a trained worker who helps people that need support to take care of their day-to-day activities and who are on a state program (Medical Assistance, waiver programs, or Alternative Care). Personal assistance services help individuals live and work within their own communities. PCAs help people who need support to take care of daily living needs because of disease, a disabling condition, or complications related to aging. Personal care assistance services must be deemed medically necessary as determined by an assessment. The assessment must find that the person needs help to complete at least one of eight activities of daily living or exhibit Level 1 behavior. The four categories of services that a person can receive assistance in are: * Activities of Daily Living: eating, toileting, grooming, dressing, bathing, transferring (such as getting in and out of bed), mobility, and positioning * Health-related functions, which, 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: meal planning and preparation, managing finances, shopping for essential items, performing essential household chores, communication by telephone and other media, and participating in the community * Redirection and intervention for behavior including observation and monitoring If you are enrolled in Medical Assistance, a waiver program, or Alternative Care, there are two possible ways that you may receive PCA services in Minnesota: * You may select an individual worker (where you are responsible for hiring, supervising and firing) * You may hire a home care agency who selects and oversees your worker If you choose to hire your own workers, you will also choose a PCA Choice provider (usually a home health agency) as a fiscal intermediary. The PCA Choice provider is responsible for billing the Department of Human Services (DHS) for PCA services and paying your PCA workers. PCA has begun transitioning to Community First Services and Supports (CFSS). Individuals currently using PCA will transition to CFSS at their next reassessment.

Providers with a basic home care license are licensed by the Minnesota Department of Health. These providers can assist with most activities of daily living, in a person's home. Basic home care licensed providers may be individuals or organizations and are trained to assist people who, because of an illness, disability, or physical condition, cannot perform the tasks for themselves. This type of service does not require a nurse. Staff of the licensed basic provider may: * Assist with dressing, eating, grooming, toileting and bathing; * Provide standby assistance for safety; * Provide verbal or visual reminders to take regularly scheduled medication; * Provide verbal or visual reminders for treatments and exercises; * Prepare modified diets ordered by a licensed health professional; and * Assist with laundry, housekeeping, meal preparation, shopping, or other household chores if also providing one of the other tasks listed above The workers performing the tasks may be individually licensed or unlicensed. Licensed agencies are responsible for providing additional training for their workers as required by home care laws.

This agency acts as a fiscal intermediary for the Personal Care Assistant (PCA) Choice program. PCA Choice is a service option for people receiving PCA services through Medical Assistance (MA), MA waiver programs or the Alternative Care program. If electing to use this option, the person receiving the services is the employer of their workers and responsible for employment related tasks. In order to participate, the person using PCA Choice (or a responsible party) must designate a PCA Choice Agency to act as a fiscal intermediary. The fiscal intermediary takes care of billing the Department of Human Services (DHS) for the PCA services and paying the PCA. A PCA is a trained worker who helps people that need support to take care of their day-to-day activities and who are on a state program (Medical Assistance, MA waiver programs, or Alternative Care). Personal assistance services help individuals live and work within their own communities. PCAs assist people who need support to take care of daily living needs because of disease, a disabling condition, or complications related to aging. Under the PCA Choice Option, the care recipient is responsible for: * Entering into a written agreement with the PCA Choice agency * Finding, hiring/firing and training PCA staff * Developing a care plan, with help from qualified professional if needed * Monitoring and evaluating PCA staff * Arranging for back-up PCA staff, if needed * Scheduling PCAs * Supervising PCA staff The PCA Choice Agency (fiscal intermediary) is responsible for: * Applying for the criminal check for PCA staff and qualified professional * Enrolling PCA staff with DHS * Billing for PCA and qualified professional services * Maintaining the required liability insurance for PCAs and qualified professionals * Maintaining the written agreements for all PCA staff, qualified professionals, and responsible parties * Paying and withholding taxes for PCA staff and the qualified professional PCA Choice has begun transitioning to Community First Services and Supports (CFSS). Individuals currently using PCA Choice will transition to CFSS at their next reassessment.