Minn. Stat. §256B.85, subd. 16, Minn. Stat. §256B.0659, subd. 11

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:

Differences

In PCA:

In CFSS:

Additionally, there are different limitations in PCA and CFSS for workers who are younger than age 18.

Responsible party (RP)/participant’s representative: An individual who is age 18 or older and capable of directing care on behalf of a person receiving PCA/CFSS services when the person is assessed as unable to direct their own care. In PCA, this individual is called the RP. In CFSS, this individual is called the participant’s representative.

Note: All references to “representative” on this page refer to the participant’s representative, unless otherwise specified.

A PCA/CFSS worker must meet the following requirements.

Initial requirements

A person who wants to become a PCA/CFSS worker must:

Ongoing requirements

A person employed as a PCA/CFSS worker must:

Additional requirements for PCA workers age 16-17

A PCA worker who is age 16-17 must meet the following additional requirements:

Additional requirements for CFSS workers younger than age 18

A CFSS worker who is younger than age 18 must meet the following additional requirements:

The PCA/CFSS worker standardized training is available to anyone who wants to become a PCA/CFSS worker. The training is free and available any time.

After taking the online training, the potential worker must pass a certification test with a score of 80% or higher. They can review the training materials as often as necessary to prepare for the test.

To take the training and test, refer to DHS – Individual PCA and CFSS training overview. The course is available in English, Hmong and Somali.

If a worker took the test after April 15, 2021, their certificate meets the training requirement for both PCA and CFSS workers. New certificates clearly state that they apply to both PCA and CFSS.

When DHS rolls out CFSS, DHS will require current PCA workers with a certificate dated before April 15, 2021, to obtain a new certificate. DHS will issue reminders at that time. Current PCA workers may choose to take the new test now in preparation for the transition to CFSS.

Documentation

After the worker successfully completes the test, the system will send a copy of the certificate to the email address the worker used to register for the test. The worker must keep a copy of the certificate. They can use it as many times as needed for employment with one or more PCA/CFSS provider agencies.

If the worker cannot locate a copy of their certificate, they should:

1.Search their email for a message from dhs.dsd.learn@state.mn.us with a link to their certificate.

2. Use the certificate lookup option at the bottom of the PCA/CFSS training registration page.

3. Request a copy of their PCA/CFSS certificate at by submitting PCA/CFSS Certificate Form – Request a Copy.

Relationship to person receiving services

In both PCA and CFSS, a worker cannot provide services to a person if they have any of the following relationships to that person:

Additionally, in PCA, a worker cannot provide services to a person if they have any of the following relationships to that person:

A person cannot be a PCA worker if they receive PCA services. However, a person can be a CFSS worker if they receive PCA or CFSS services.

Hours

Only the first 310 hours worked by a PCA/CFSS worker are eligible for Medical Assistance payments to a provider agency/FMS provider, regardless of:

Note: If the worker supports people in both PCA and CFSS during the transition, the 310-hour limit applies to the total hours worked in both PCA and CFSS.

The terms and conditions of a worker’s employment by a person who participates in PCA Choice or the CFSS budget model is governed by the agreement between the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Healthcare Minnesota and Iowa and the state of Minnesota. To read this agreement, refer to SEIU Healthcare – Home care.

SEIU Contract Compliance Training provides information for provider agencies and FMS providers about how to comply with the agreement.

For instructions about transitioning from PCA to CFSS, refer to CFSS Manual – Transition from PCA and CSG to CFSS.