The PAS Department is teaming up with IL to get our Consumers and DSPs a little more involved. Here is a link to the FREE classes offered here on-site, as well as descriptions of each. Come on out and join us!!
The PAS Department is teaming up with IL to get our Consumers and DSPs a little more involved. Here is a link to the FREE classes offered here on-site, as well as descriptions of each. Come on out and join us!!
Legislative Changes 2014
5% Increased Reimbursement Rate!
The state legislature has granted PCA Agencies, among others who work to assist people with disabilities to stay in their homes, a 5% reimbursement rate increase! This is huge news for us, after several years of deep cuts to the reimbursement rate, which forced wages to be cut as well.
We are pleased to announce that as a direct result of the increase, all DSPs employed with MCIL will be receiving a sixty cent raise, starting July 1st, 2014! The PAS Program is also raising the starting rate for DSPs with no experience to $10.00 an hour, and will now be able to match wages up to $12.50 an hour. Through this wage increase, and the associated costs, MCIL is giving 95% of the 5% increase back to the DSPs directly. This is significantly above the 80% required by the state.
Over Time Changes
Federal law dictating the type of employee Direct Support Professionals are is changing January 1st, 2015. DSPs are currently except from federal overtime laws, because of their classification of employment as “comfort care workers.” This is why, in Minnesota, DSPs don’t start accruing overtime pay until they have billed more than 48 hours in one week.
Starting on January 1st, 2015, DSPs will only be able to bill each agency they work for up to 40 hours in one week before getting overtime pay. We understand this will deeply affect many DSPs and consumers. Unless arranged in advance, DSPs may not work overtime hours with MCIL.
Due to the July 01, 2009 legislative Changes and additional fraud management measures by DHS, the PAS program has had to change its timesheet template to reflect the new 16 hour per day and/or mandated 275 hours per month hour cap for all DSPs, regardless of the number of agencies they are employed by. As a result of this new State-wide enforcement, we had to include an acknowledgement and signature statement to our timesheet.
In addition to the 16/275 caps, a few additional changes were made to the template to clearly illustrate our existing call to confirm receipt of fax policy, as well as reminding DSPs and consumers that they cannot bill for services if the consumer is hospitalized or has moved out of State. DSPs must initial the supports, if they do not- the time sheet will be mailed back and delay processing and payment.
If you fax in your timesheets– You will continue to fax them to: 651.603.2036 or 2039
If you email your timesheets:
PLEASE NOTE THE NEW EMAIL: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
In April, the MN Department of Human Services (DHS) is implementing some changes into the way personal care assistant services are delivered. The changes are affecting DHS administration of the services, the delivery of the services by organizations like MCIL, and the way individual consumers manage their PCA services.
CHOICE
Shortly, DHS will introduce a new service model for PAS entitled CFSS, or Community First Services and Supports. There will be two service models available for consumers to choose from; The Budget Model or the Agency Model.
The"Agency Model" provider will offer some sort of self-directed support in addition to payroll services. The provider will be offering extra value for clients and professionals. So, providers could offer recruiting, screening, emergency backup, shift-to-shift management, evaluation, etc. in addition to payroll services.
The “Budget Model” provider will offer only payroll services, and nothing else. The consumer will be solely responsible for hiring and managing staff, providing for emergency back-ups, evaluations, etc.
In order to maximize the independence of MCIL customers, MCIL has elected to continue to operate as an “Agency Model”, and will provide the services as explained below.
SERVICES:
Payroll Services: There will be no change in how MCIL accepts and processes timesheets from the DSP.
On Call List: MCIL will provide customers a list of DSPs who have requested to be placed on the list for extra shifts, or who have expressed an interest in generating more hours. This On Call list will be reviewed and updated monthly, and updated copies will be disseminated to consumers as requested. Customers may use this On Call list to fill vacancies in their schedule in the event that DSPs call off sick, or for some other reason cannot fill their shift. Please note that the DSPs on the list may not be able to accept the shifts offered.
DSPs who have requested to be listed as seeking additional hours to work, have been informed they must return all calls within 24 hours. While we will be updated the list, if you do not receive calls back, or if you come across a number that is not working, please let either Oscar or Kat know, and we will update the list on line.
To access the list on line, please click on the search box and type in “staff list”. A link to the PDF file will be shown. If you would like a list mailed to you, please contact either Oscar or Kat via phone or e-mail.
Recruitment: MCIL will continue to assist customers in their recruitment of DSPs by helping in the placement of ads to generate applicants. MCIL will also continue to provide minimal screening of applicants. However, as it is now, it will be the primary responsibility of the customer to take a very active role in recruitment of their DSP staff. MCIL encourages all consumers to place their own ads, and recruit their own staff asd well.
Employment: MCIL will continue its role as “employer of record” of the DSPs. The customer will be expected to manage their day-t0-day care as you currently do. MCIL will continue its role by ensuring liability insurance, the collection and payment of applicable payroll and other taxes, and unemployment insurance.
OTHER
Please note that it still takes a minimum of 45 days for MN DHS to process individual provider numbers for new DSP hires. MCIL shares your frustration with this situation, and we have communicated our frustrated regularly to staff at DHS and to members of the Minnesota Legislature. We have no control over this phenomenon, and urge you share your frustrations directly with the MN DHS Help Desk, or by communicating with your elected officials.
Possible cuts to PCA Services in 2013!
A 1.67% cut to the PCA reimbursement rate is scheduled to take effect on July 1, 2013. This cut was built into the budget during the 2011 legislative section. If you would like to support the elimination of this cut please call Governor Dayton’s office and request that this cut be taken out of the 2013 Minnesota budget.
The other people who need to hear from those affected by this cut are the Representatives of the House Health and Human Services Finance Committee and the Senators working on the Senate Health and Human Services Policy and Finance Committee. The Representatives and Senators are listed below with their contact information. Send a message that the scheduled 1.67% cut to PCA services needs to be eradicated. PCAs/DSPs deserve more for the valuable work they do, not less. The wages offered to PCAs/DSPs will affect a consumer’s ability to hire and maintain quality staff. This proposed cut also undermines a consumer’s ability to hire qualified, professional individuals to come into their homes and provide intensely personal delicate cares. It forces them to compromise because they may not be able to afford quality, safe care. We need to respect and care for PCAs/DSPs so they can provide respectful and reliable care to others. Please consider voicing your opinion on this important issue.