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Idaho Personal Care Services Program (PCSP)
Overview of Idaho’s Personal Care Services Program
The PCS Program is a Medicaid program for elderly and disabled Idaho residents that provides them with assistance with their activities of daily living in their homes. The goal of the program is to help individuals maintain their independence and avoid institutionalization. Therefore, this program is not available to individuals living in skilled nursing homes or assisted living residences.
The PCS program allows participants to self-direct their care. Self-direction is also referred to as consumer or participant direction and also the cash and counseling model. This means program participants are responsible for determining their own care requirements and hiring individuals to provide them with the necessary care. An especially attractive component of this program is that individuals can hire family members, such as their adult children, to be paid caregivers.
Qualifications for the PCS Program
This program is for elderly and disabled residents that are qualified for Medicaid and reside at home. Interested individuals must have a written statement from a doctor saying that personal care services are medically necessary.
Qualifying for Medicaid is a complicated process involving a review of a family’s income, assets and asset transfers as far back as 5 years. Rules change frequently and there are many exceptions, but typically monthly income cannot exceed $2,000 and “countable asset” limits, excluding the car and home, range from $2,000 to $8,000.
Not qualifying for Medicaid can be devastating to the comfort of an individual, their family’s finances and even their health. For these reasons, Medicaid planners exist to ensure families have the best chance of acceptance into the program. With care costing $1000’s / month, there is a strong incentive to use a Medicaid Planner. Find assistance applying for Medicaid.
Qualifying for Medicaid is a complicated process involving a review of a family’s income, assets and asset transfers as far back as 5 years. Rules change frequently and there are many exceptions, but typically monthly income cannot exceed $2,000 and “countable asset” limits, excluding the car and home, range from $2,000 to $8,000.
Not qualifying for Medicaid can be devastating to the comfort of an individual, their family’s finances and even their health. For these reasons, Medicaid planners exist to ensure families have the best chance of acceptance into the program. With care costing $1000’s / month, there is a strong incentive to use a Medicaid Planner. Find assistance applying for Medicaid.
Benefits / Services Covered by the PCS Program
-Assistance with the activities of daily living such as bathing, grooming and personal hygiene
-Assistance taking prescription drugs
-Meal preparation
-Housekeeping
-Laundry
-Shopping for essentials such as groceries and picking up medications
-Transportation assistance / escort services
-Assistance taking prescription drugs
-Meal preparation
-Housekeeping
-Laundry
-Shopping for essentials such as groceries and picking up medications
-Transportation assistance / escort services
How to Apply for Idaho's PCS Program
To learn more information about the PCS program and to begin the application process, visit the Idaho Medicaid website or call your regional Medicaid office.
Use our Eldercare Financial Resource Locator Tool to find other public and private programs that can help pay for or reduce the costs of long term care for the elderly.
