Responsibilities of PCM and FI agencies

Personal Care Management agencies (PCMs) are required by MassHealth contract to instruct members on how to recruit, screen, interview, and hire PCAs. PCMs also must work with the consumer to establish a list of PCAs who can be contacted when an unforeseen event occurs that prevents the members regularly scheduled PCA from providing PCA services. Check the MassHealth PCA Consumer Handbook (1.12MB PDF) for additional information.

PCMs provide service to individuals of all ages, all disabilities, whether a surrogate is needed or not. A PCM cannot refuse to provide PCM services because someone needs a surrogate.

PCMs must serve anyone eligible for PCA services in accordance with PCA regulations unless the PCM can demonstrate there would be a hardship for the agency. For example, a PCM agency located in Boston, MA, may choose not to serve a consumer who lives in Pittsfield MA, due to the hardship in the consumer’s ability to readily access services due to the distance between the PCM and the consumer.

Click here for responsibilities of PCM agencies

Click here for responsibilities of Fiscal Intermediaries