Page updated: 8/25/25

Legal authority

Minn. Stat. §256B.85, subd. 7

Comparison of PCA and CFSS

DHS is in the process of replacing PCA with CFSS. For more information about this transition, refer to CFSS Manual – Transition from PCA and CSG to CFSS.

Similarities

In both PCA and CFSS, people must have a back-up plan in case their worker is absent. For more information about back-up plans, refer to CFSS Manual – PCA/CFSS service delivery plan.

Differences

In CFSS, adults can use some of their units/dollars to purchase a personal emergency response system (PERS) as an electronic back-up system. The rest of this page applies to CFSS only.

Definition

Personal emergency response systems (PERS): A CFSS service that covers:

Overview

Adults age 18 and older who use CFSS and are not on the Alternative Care (AC) program can purchase PERS as an electronic back-up system. Minors and people on the AC program cannot use CFSS funds to purchase PERS.

The policy for CFSS PERS is separate from the policy for CFSS goods and services described on CFSS Manual – Goods and services through CFSS. PERS is not included in the CFSS goods and services policy.

Applicability

This page applies to people using CFSS funds to purchase PERS through a Minnesota Health Care Programs (MHCP)-enrolled PERS provider. For information about provider standards and qualifications, refer to CBSM – PERS.

This page does not apply to people on a waiver/AC using their waiver/AC funds to purchase PERS. People eligible for a waiver can use either their CFSS funds or their waiver funds to purchase PERS. If a person eligible for a waiver will use a non-MHCP provider through the lead agency approval option described on CBSM – PERS, they must use their waiver funds. People eligible for AC must use their AC funds to purchase PERS. For more information, refer to CBSM – Waiver/AC service provider overview.

Eligibility

An adult using CFSS is eligible to use some of their units/dollars to purchase PERS if they meet at least one of the following criteria:

A person is not required to purchase PERS as part of their service delivery plan.

Covered services

CFSS covers the following services for PERS:

CFSS only covers PERS services up to the current state-set maximum rates in Long-Term Services and Supports Service Rate Limits, DHS-3945 (PDF).

Non-covered services

CFSS does not cover:

A person cannot use extended CFSS units/dollars to purchase PERS.

Process and procedure

To purchase PERS:

1. The person includes the services they need and the provider they selected in their service delivery plan.

2. The consultation services provider reviews the person’s service delivery plan.

3. The lead agency ensures there is no duplication of services and approves the person’s service delivery plan.

4. The lead agency authorizes units/dollars to the selected provider.

5. The selected provider bills DHS or the managed care organization (MCO) for the services they provide.

Person’s responsibilities

The person is responsible to:

Consultation services provider’s responsibilities

The consultation services provider is responsible to:

Lead agency’s responsibilities

The lead agency is responsible to approve the service delivery plan that authorizes PERS.

Provider agency and financial management services (FMS) provider’s responsibilities

The CFSS provider agency and FMS provider do not have responsibilities related to a person’s PERS purchase.