Kris' PCA Services

Kristen’s Story

With 20+ years in home care, Kristen established Kris’ PCA Service in 2022 to combine personal care services with advocacy assistance.

As a Personal Care Attendant (PCA) for several consumers in the MassHealth PCA Program, limits were placed on services PCAs could provide. For example, if assistance was needed to obtain a insurance prior authorization (PA) for an electric wheelchair, contact must be advocated on the disabled person’s behalf, to the primary care physician (PCP), to the insurance company, and to the mobility provider. However, PCAs are not allowed to be advocates. So, these tasks demanded I take off my PCA hat, and put on my daughter hat, and advocate for my mother. I was able to get her the necessary equipment. But, what about other disabled persons? With this revelation…. Kris’ PCA Services was created.

Kristen’s Approach

Many insurance companies will approve home health care for Activities of Daily Living and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (ADLs/IADLs). However, insurance will not cover advocates. In my experience, there are many non-profits that will advocate for an elderly or disabled person, on a task-by-task basis. Meaning, if you make a request for a particular item, the goal becomes to receive that item. For instance, a semi-electric hospital bed. But, some elderly, disabled, and their families do not know what supplies and equipment they need or are entitled to.

That’s where I come in. As a personal care manager, I’ll conduct a complete evaluation of ADLs/IADLs, PCA services, durable medical equipment (DME) and medical supplies. I’ll work alongside your primary care provider, approved medical supply provider, and your insurance provider to get authorization for coverage, when possible.

If you’d like to hire a personal care attendant to assist you with household duties and care needs, I will manage your PCAs. This means, posting a detailed job description, screening applicants, and presenting you with the best PCAs for you. I’ll continue to oversee PCA shifts and cover in emergencies.

In many cases, I’ll assist families who need assistance caring for and managing the care of a loved one. You choose the level of care you need, not your insurance provider.

Case Example:
Jessica contacted Kris’ PCA Services because she was the primary caregiver for her grandmother, residing in her home. Jessica worked full-time outside of the home and was afraid her grandmother would need to enter into a long-term care facility because she was alone all day. Jessica worried about her grandmother using the oven and she had previously fallen out of bed several times.

I completed an in-home evaluation. There were several ADLs and IADLs that Jessica’s grandmother needed assistance with. I recommended hiring a personal care attendant to provide care for 3 hours, 11am-2pm, Monday-Friday while Jessica worked. I screened and hired two PCAs on Jessica’s behalf. I also recommended a semi-electric hospital bed, with full rails to prevent falls, a rollator (for mobility), and a removeable shower head to accompany the shower chair already in place. Medicare covered the cost of the semi-electric hospital bed with full rails, based on a letter of medical necessity. The rollator and shower head was less than $100. PCA services are currently self-pay, however, are “in process” of being approved.