DESCRIPTION: 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, 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.

DESCRIPTION: 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.

DESCRIPTION: 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.

DESCRIPTION: 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)](https://mn.gov/dhs/people-we-serve/people-with-disabilities/services/home-community/programs-and-services/cfss.jsp). Individuals currently using PCA will transition to CFSS at their next reassessment.

DESCRIPTION: 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)](https://mn.gov/dhs/people-we-serve/people-with-disabilities/services/home-community/programs-and-services/cfss.jsp). Individuals currently using PCA will transition to CFSS at their next reassessment.

DESCRIPTION: 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.

DESCRIPTION: 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.

DESCRIPTION: 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)](https://mn.gov/dhs/people-we-serve/people-with-disabilities/services/home-community/programs-and-services/cfss.jsp). Individuals currently using PCA will transition to CFSS at their next reassessment.

DESCRIPTION: 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)](https://mn.gov/dhs/people-we-serve/people-with-disabilities/services/home-community/programs-and-services/cfss.jsp). Individuals currently using PCA will transition to CFSS at their next reassessment.

DESCRIPTION: 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)](https://mn.gov/dhs/people-we-serve/people-with-disabilities/services/home-community/programs-and-services/cfss.jsp). Individuals currently using PCA will transition to CFSS at their next reassessment.

DESCRIPTION: 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)](https://mn.gov/dhs/people-we-serve/people-with-disabilities/services/home-community/programs-and-services/cfss.jsp). Individuals currently using PCA will transition to CFSS at their next reassessment.

DESCRIPTION: 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.

DESCRIPTION: 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)](https://mn.gov/dhs/people-we-serve/people-with-disabilities/services/home-community/programs-and-services/cfss.jsp). Individuals currently using PCA will transition to CFSS at their next reassessment.

DESCRIPTION: 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, 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.

DESCRIPTION: 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.

DESCRIPTION: 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)](https://mn.gov/dhs/people-we-serve/people-with-disabilities/services/home-community/programs-and-services/cfss.jsp). Individuals currently using PCA will transition to CFSS at their next reassessment.

DESCRIPTION: 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, 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.

DESCRIPTION: 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.

DESCRIPTION: 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 license may be individuals or organizations and are trained to assist people who, because on 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.

DESCRIPTION: 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.

DESCRIPTION: 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, 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 bathing assistance with an effort to honor client gender.

DESCRIPTION: 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)](https://mn.gov/dhs/people-we-serve/people-with-disabilities/services/home-community/programs-and-services/cfss.jsp). Individuals currently using PCA will transition to CFSS at their next reassessment.

DESCRIPTION: 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, 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.

DESCRIPTION: 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)](https://mn.gov/dhs/people-we-serve/people-with-disabilities/services/home-community/programs-and-services/cfss.jsp). Individuals currently using PCA will transition to CFSS at their next reassessment.

DESCRIPTION: 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.