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Minnesota Personal Care Assistance (PCA) Program
Overview of the Minnesota PCA Program
The Minnesota PCA Service Program is not so much a program as a category of program which is accessed differently depending on the larger health services group for which an individual is qualified. Under this category of program, participants hire a Personal Care Assistant (PCA) who helps them to manage their activities and instrumental activities of daily living. The funds to pay for the PCA come from the different health service groups.
Participants have a great deal of flexibility regarding whom they hire, this is referred to as consumer direction or participant direction. Under this program, friends, neighbors and even some family members can be hired as the Personal Care Assistant; they can be paid to be caregivers. Adult children can be compensated but spouses and legal guardians cannot be hired.
This concept is based on the Cash and Counseling model, where individuals are provided with access to cash and they receive the counseling they require to arrange their own care services. By transferring the administration of care services to the individual, the state saves money on administration costs and the individual gains flexibility and control. To avoid confusion, it should be noted that one might find the PCA Program referred to as a PAS (Personal Assistance Service) Program and PCA Choice.
This concept is based on the Cash and Counseling model, where individuals are provided with access to cash and they receive the counseling they require to arrange their own care services. By transferring the administration of care services to the individual, the state saves money on administration costs and the individual gains flexibility and control. To avoid confusion, it should be noted that one might find the PCA Program referred to as a PAS (Personal Assistance Service) Program and PCA Choice.
Qualifications for the Personal Care Assistance Program
To be eligible for a Personal Care Assistant, one must participate in one of the following four programs: 1) Minnesota Medicaid also known as Medical Assistance 2) Elderly Waiver 3) Minnesota Alternative Care 4) Minnesota Managed Care program such as Senior Health Options or Disability Health Options. These programs all generally require that the individual have a low annual income or be 65+ years old or both.
In addition participants must be assessed by both a doctor and the county administering the program to have a need for personal care assistance.
The first two programs are Medicaid programs. Qualifying for Medicaid is sometimes difficult; many families get assistance applying for Medicaid.
In addition participants must be assessed by both a doctor and the county administering the program to have a need for personal care assistance.
The first two programs are Medicaid programs. Qualifying for Medicaid is sometimes difficult; many families get assistance applying for Medicaid.
Benefits / Services Covered by the Personal Care Assistance Program
-Personal assistance with the activities of daily living such as grooming, bathing, eating and mobility.
-Assistance with the instrumental activities of daily living such as meal planning and preparation, shopping for groceries and other essentials and help managing finances.
-Assistance with mechanical devices and other repetitive health related functions such as those that would typically be provided by a nursing professional.
-Assistance with the instrumental activities of daily living such as meal planning and preparation, shopping for groceries and other essentials and help managing finances.
-Assistance with mechanical devices and other repetitive health related functions such as those that would typically be provided by a nursing professional.
How to Apply for the Personal Care Assistance Program
Due to the variety of providers and choices, getting started with PCA Choice is somewhat complicated. The easiest way to do so is by contacting your county health office. A complete list of county contacts, office locations and telephone numbers is available here. Complete information about the program is also available in this downloadable PDF file: the PCA Consumer Handbook.
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.
