The Personal Care Attendant, or PCA Program is a program funded by MassHealth to provide people with permanent or chronic disabilities keep their independence, remain in the community, and manage their own care by providing funding to hire PCAs. This is a consumer-directed program, so the person receiving the PCA services (the disabled person) is considered the employer of each PCA providing care. The consumer is fully responsible for recruiting, interviewing, screening, and hiring all potential PCAs.
A Personal Care Attendant (PCA) is someone hired by you to physically assist you perform Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs). The consumer may hire as many PCAs as he or she needs to meet his or her needs, or to fill the amount of shifts approved by MassHealth.
Am I eligible for PCA Services through MassHealth?
- You must be a MassHealth member, eligible for MassHealth Standard or CommonHealth Care (MassHealth Application)
- Have chronic or permanent disability that prevents you from performing your own personal care
- A need for physical hands-on assistance with at least 2 ADLs (mobility, bathing/grooming, dressing, ROM exercises, taking medications, eating, and toileting)
To apply for PCA services, contact a PCM agency (example: Tempus Unlimited)
Who pays my PCA?
A Fiscal Intermediary (FI) is responsible for processing your PCA Activity Forms and issuing paychecks. Tempus Unlimited is also a FI.
Whom can I hire to be my PCA?
Consumers have a lot of flexibility when deciding whom to hire as a PCA. A PCA can be your friend, neighbor, or even a relative. Your PCM agency will teach you how to recruit, interview, train, and schedule you PCA, according to your care needs and wants.
Your PCA MUST:
- Be legally authorized to work in the United States and have a social security number
- Able to understand and carry out directions given by you
- And, be willing to receive training and supervision for all PCA services, from you, or someone you appoint to operate on your behalf.
Your PCA can NOT be:
- Your spouse
- Parent or foster parent (if a minor child)
- Surrogate
- Legally responsible relative
Tempus Unlimited- PCA Program
Kris' PCA Services 
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