Massachusetts
MassHealth Personal Care Attendant Program (PCA Program)
Self-directed care programs in Massachusetts that let you choose your own personal assistant or pay a family member as your caregiver.
MassHealth Personal Care Attendant Program
Open - No WaitlistPA Hourly Rate
$19.50 - $23.25
per hour
Monthly Benefit
$1,500 - $4,500
estimated range
What You Can & Can't Do
What You Can Do
- Hire a family member (not spouse) as your paid PCA
- Have a surrogate manage your PCA services if needed
- Access the program at any age — no age restrictions
- Receive help with all activities of daily living
- Enroll without a waitlist (state plan entitlement)
- Receive PCA health insurance and union benefits for your workers
What You Can't Do
- Hire your spouse as a paid PCA
- Use PCA services for skilled nursing procedures
- Receive services in an institutional setting
- Have your PCA perform tasks outside your approved care plan
- Bypass the PCM agency evaluation process
- Receive services without active MassHealth eligibility
How to Apply
Verify MassHealth enrollment
Ensure active MassHealth coverage. Apply at (800) 841-2900 or online.
Contact a PCM agency
Choose a Personal Care Management agency in your area to begin the evaluation process.
Complete skills evaluation
The PCM agency assesses your functional needs and determines your authorized PCA hours.
Receive PCA authorization
MassHealth reviews and approves your PCA service plan with specific hours.
Recruit your PCA
Find and hire your preferred personal care attendant.
PCA completes enrollment
Your PCA registers with the fiscal intermediary, completes background checks, and sets up payroll.
Begin services
Services begin once your PCA is fully enrolled. Timesheets are submitted through the fiscal intermediary.
PA Documents & Requirements
What your personal assistant needs to get started in Massachusetts
Government-issued photo ID
Valid identification
Social Security card
For payroll and tax purposes
W-4 tax withholding form
Federal and state tax withholding
I-9 Employment Eligibility
Work authorization documentation
CORI background check
Criminal Offender Record Information check through Massachusetts
PCA competency training
Completion of required PCA training and orientation
Direct deposit enrollment
Banking information for payroll deposits
Frequently Asked Questions
Who qualifies for the MassHealth PCA Program?
You must be a MassHealth (Medicaid) member with a permanent or chronic disability that limits your ability to perform daily activities. There is no age restriction — both children and adults can qualify.
Can a family member be my PCA?
Yes. Family members including parents of adult children, adult children, and siblings can serve as PCAs. Spouses are not eligible to be paid PCAs.
How does PCA surrogacy work?
If you cannot manage your PCA independently, a surrogate (a responsible adult) can direct your PCA services on your behalf. Surrogates must be approved by MassHealth.
What is the PCA pay rate in Massachusetts?
PCA rates range from $19.50 to $23.25 per hour. Rates are negotiated through the union (1199SEIU). PCAs also receive health insurance and other benefits.
How are my PCA hours determined?
A Personal Care Management (PCM) agency evaluates your needs and authorizes a specific number of PCA hours per week, based on your functional limitations.
Is there a waitlist?
No. The MassHealth PCA Program is an entitlement under the Medicaid state plan — if you qualify, you're enrolled without a waitlist.
Ready to check your eligibility?
Answer a few questions and we'll tell you if you qualify for Massachusetts's PCA Program program.