4/7/2004 12:00:00 AM
The Personal Care Assistance (PCA) Medicaid Waiver* needs to be renewed soon. We want to hear from community members, service or care providers, current and potential Waiver participants, advocates, and family members about Waiver services that DSS currently offers and Waiver services that the Department should offer.
You can share your thoughts, ideas, and suggestions about PCA Waiver services in a number of ways.
You May:
- CONTACT the DSS toll free hotline (Spanish and English):
1-866-218-6631 - ACCESS the DSS/ PCA Waiver renewal website: www.dss.state.ct.us
OR
ATTEND a Community Forum at one of the locations listed below:
- April 14, 2004 - Community Health Services, Pediatric Conference Room, 500 Albany Ave, Hartford - 5:00 -7:00 P.M.
- April 15, 2004 - First Congregation Church Auditorium, 199 Valley St., Willimantic - 5:00 -7:00 PM
- April 15, 2004 - Independence Unlimited, 151 New Park Ave., Hartford - 5:00 -7:00 P.M.
- April 19, 2004 - Western Connecticut Area Agency on Aging, 84 Progress Lane, Waterbury - 3:00 -5:00 PM
* A description of the PCA Waiver Program is on the back of this flyer.
Description of the PCA Waiver Program
This Personal Care Assistance (PCA) Waiver benefits individuals, who, without waiver services would be institutionalized, whose income is $1692.00 or less per month, who require hands on assistance with at least two activities of daily living (ADLs- eating, bathing, dressing, toileting, etc.), and whose assets do not exceed $1,600.00. Individuals who meet the financial and assets eligibility for the Medicaid for the Employed Disabled coverage group also receive services from this program.
The Program is designed for persons who have severe disabilities and a significant need for hands-on assistance with their personal care; and, who would require institutional care without services in the community. Eligible individuals must be able to direct their own care, which is provided only by private household employees. As the employers of their personal care assistants, participants screen, hire, train, supervise and fire their own staff. The department contracts with a fiscal intermediary which provides technical assistance to our waiver consumers, including maintaining a directory of potential providers; managing the tax paperwork on behalf of consumers; and, providing payroll services for all waiver consumers.
Social work staff in each of the state’s local offices is assigned to determine the appropriateness of waiver services for waiver applicants. They evaluate the individual’s risk of institutionalization; assess the specific needs of waiver-appropriate candidates; and, in partnership with the applicant and/or his/her representative, design an adequate and appropriate plan of care, including an emergency back-up plan for unforeseen circumstances.