Minn. Stat. §256B.0625, subd. 19(c), Minn. Stat. §256B.0659, subd. 13, subd. 14, subd 14(a), subd. 16(f)(i) and subd. 25

DHS is in the process of replacing PCA with Community First Services and Supports (CFSS). The entity responsible for performing QP functions in CFSS varies. For more information, refer to CFSS Manual – Comparison of QP services and CFSS services.

For information about the transition, refer to CFSS Manual – Transition from PCA and CSG to CFSS.

Qualified professional (QP): Person who provides training, supervision and evaluation of an agency's PCA workers and the services they deliver. A QP performs the following duties:

QP visit: A visit by the QP to oversee the delivery of PCA services.

Responsible party (RP): A person who is age 18 or older and capable of providing the support necessary to help a person receiving PCA services to live in the community when the person is assessed as unable to direct their own care

A PCA provider agency must provide QP services for all PCA workers and people who receive services. All PCA workers must be supervised by a QP.

If a person has a responsible party (RP), the RP is not required to be present at QP visits.

QP services include care planning, training and supervision and evaluation.

Care planning

Within the first week of starting services:

The QP, person and RP (if applicable) should communicate regularly to ensure the PCA services and service delivery methods continue to meet the person’s needs. They can revise the care plan as necessary. For more information, refer to PCA Manual – Care plan.

Training

The QP must provide training to PCA workers about:

Supervision and evaluation

Workers

The QP must supervise and evaluate PCA workers to ensure the workers:

Effectiveness of services

The QP must oversee the delivery and evaluate the effectiveness of PCA services, including:

The following activities are not eligible for payment as QP services:

The QP must use professional judgment to determine the number of visits needed to ensure quality care. The QP may conduct additional training and evaluation visits as necessary.

The QP can only deliver and bill for services within their professional scope of practice.

Traditional PCA

At minimum, the QP must visit the service delivery location and meet with the person and RP (if applicable) to evaluate the PCA worker(s) and/or oversee the delivery of PCA services within the following timelines:

Note: The person must have a care plan within seven days of starting services. The QP can choose to combine the first visit with care plan development, if appropriate.

PCA Choice

At minimum, the QP must visit the service delivery location and meet with the person and RP (if applicable) to evaluate the PCA worker(s) and/or oversee the delivery of PCA services within the following timelines:

Standard requirements

During the first 180 days a person receives PCA services from the agency, the QP must provide in-person QP services to oversee the delivery of services.

After 180 days, the method for delivery varies based on the person’s situation:

Managed care organizations (MCOs) have the authority to require all QP visits to be conducted in person. PCA provider agencies must check with the person’s MCO to see if it allows QP visits to be done remotely.

Exception to standard requirements

The QP may conduct the required supervision remotely for a person with chronic health conditions or a severely compromised immune system when:

1. The person requests a determination from their primary health care provider.

2. The primary health care provider determines remote supervision is appropriate.

3. The primary health care provider documents their determination of need for remote supervision.

4. The PCA provider agency retains copies of the primary health care provider’s documents with all copies of the person’s care plan.

The QP must conduct the first QP visit in person or complete the initial PCA care plan in person. The person may request to return to in-person QP visits at any time.

Shared services

For a person sharing services, if the QP is doing the minimum number of visits in traditional PCA after one year or in PCA Choice (i.e., one visit every six months), all visits must be in person.

The QP must document all of the following information:

All documentation must include the date, time and activity detail.

The QP must keep documentation, as appropriate, in: