Info for PCAs

This page has important information and links for PCAs. Information and links for the PCA New Hire Orientation, PCA Union (1199SEIU), Paid Time Off (PTO), and more are all available here. Please use the links or download the forms to get more information.

Please make sure your timesheet is submitted to Stavros FI no later than 12PM Tuesday on the week it is due. This will help avoid any delay in receiving your pay. The payday for PCAs is Friday the week the timesheet is due.

The current rate of pay for PCAs is $15.75 per hour. The holiday rate of pay is $23.63 per hour. The 4 holidays are New Year's Day (January 1), Independence Day (July 4), Thanksgiving (the 4th Thursday in November), and Christmas Day (December 25).

The PCA wage increased effective July 1, 2020, as provided in the collective bargaining agreement. The temporary emergency increase to the PCA wage due to the COVID-19 emergency is effective through the end of July, but will no longer be effective starting August 1, 2020. Please see below for the PCA wage effective on the following dates of service:

Wages July and August

MassHealth has created a letter explaining the rate changes for July 1, 2020 and August 1, 2020. The letter is in both English and Spanish.

PCA Wage Rate Change Letter

Starting October 1, 2020, an additional 1-hour infection control training has been added to the PCA Orientation program. This now makes the PCA orientation a 4-hour program. Any PCA completing the orientation on or after October 1, 2020 will need to complete this infection control training. For additional information on this change to the orientation, please see this flyer created by MassHealth.

The Paid Family and Medical Leave Act took effect on January 1, 2021. For more information on qualified reasons for taking these benefits and how to apply for them, please read this notice.

MassHealth PCA Consumer Handbook

MassHealth PCA Regulations

Mass PCA Directory

PCA Paid Time Off (PTO), Pay Stub, & W-2 Portal
(Portal User Guide)

PCA Union Sign Up

PCA Orientation

Online PCA Orientation

Information for New PCAs

PCA Orientation Guidelines

Required New Hire Forms

Mass PCA Directory

PCA Union (1199SEIU)

Direct Deposit Information

Debit Cards

General PCA Overtime Info

The U.S. Department of Labor issued a Final Rule revising the Fair Labor and Standards Act (FLSA). This ruling will grant PCAs, who work over 40 hours per week, overtime pay starting January 1, 2016.

Overtime will be paid separately from a PCAs normal paycheck and be mailed directly to the PCA. Please make sure that we have an up to date address on file for all PCAs to avoid delays in receiving this check.

PCAs may also be eligible for Travel Time pay for same day commutes between consumers' homes. Travel Time paychecks will also be sent directly to a PCAs address. We recommend that PCAs set up Direct Deposit to receive both their paycheck and overtime/travel times check. Please review the MassHealth notice to Consumers and PCAs for more information.

Starting September 1, 2016 MassHealth began a new overtime management program for PCAs. PCAs are no longer allowed to work over 50 hours per week for one or more MassHealth members unless their consumer(s) receive special authorization from MassHealth to do so. Please review the bulletin issued by MassHealth for the new overtime regulations and the letters sent to consumers by MassHealth.

MassHealth also sent notifications to PCAs regarding overtime management. The letters sent by MassHealth can be found here.

Paid Time Off, Overtime, Holidays, Travel Time, and Medical Leave

Holidays and Paid Time Off

Overtime and Travel Time

Termination & Unemployment

Filing for Unemployment

Termination Form

Please submit this form when a PCA is terminated. This form also serves as the Paid Time Off (PTO) pay out form. PCAs can only be paid out for their PTO if they are no longer working for any consumer in the MassHealth PCA program.

Frequently Asked Questions

If you have a question that isn’t answered, visit our FAQ page or Contact us by email and we will provide help.

What is PCA Orientation?

PCAs who have never worked in the MassHealth PCA program are required to complete the 4-hour PCA orientation program. Starting October 1, 2020, a 1-hour infection control training has been added. Orientation can be done by consumers or in a group setting. Consumers who hire PCAs that require orientation will be sent a letter by Stavros Fiscal upon set up.

The consumer has the option of doing the orientation themselves, online. However, they have three months from the initial notice to complete the orientation with their PCA. After three months, a PCA must attend a group session with the Homecare Training Benefit. PCAs still must complete the 1-hour infection control training even when doing the orientation with their consumer to fulfill the orientation requirements and receive pay for completing it. PCAs should contact the Homecare Training Benefit after completing the 3-hour consumer portion of the orientation to sign up for the 1-hour infection control training. The phone number for the Homecare Training Benefit is 1-877-409-8283.

A consumer must return the Consumer Options Notice to Stavros Fiscal to preform the orientation with their PCA online. The consumer and PCA will not have access to the online orientation until the Consumer Options Notice is returned and processed by us.

Online Orientation

You can access the online orientation program here. Instructions for accessing the online orientation program can be found here.

Instructions for accessing the online orientation program can be found by clicking the link below:

Instructions for Online Orientation for PCA New Hires

Group Orientation

A Consumer can also send their PCA to a group orientation presented by the Homecare Training Benefit. Please call 1-877-409-8283 to schedule an orientation session.

Only surrogates who are the parent of a consumer under the age of 18 can provide the orientation to a PCA on behalf of their consumer. Otherwise, surrogates cannot provide the orientation. PCAs who fail to complete the orientation program within nine months of their date of hire will be subject a $1.00 per hour post tax payroll deduction.

What is earned Paid Time Off (PTO)?

PCAs earn 1 hour of paid time off (PTO) for every 30 hours worked. For more information, please refer to the PTO terms (click the link below) created by MassHealth for rules and regulations regarding earned PTO.

PTO terms

PCAs can view their earned PTO online here.

Instructions for using the PTO portal in English and Spanish are available by clicking the link below:

Paid Time Off Portal Instructions

What is the 1199SEIU Union?

PCAs are represented by the 1199SEIU in Massachusetts. Benefits for being a union member can be found on the Home Care Training Benefit website. Interested PCAs can sign up and become union members. There are several ways to get an application:

1199SEIU Union Membership Application

Request an application from our Customer Service Department

How do I access my paystubs online?

PCA paystubs are now available online.

First time users will need to follow the first time login procedures. A brief User Guide has been created to help a PCA login and navigate the portal.

The User Guide can be downloaded in both English and Spanish versions by clicking the link below.

Brief PCA Portal Guide

What do I do if I have some ideas that might be helpful for your program?

We always welcome new ideas that will help us better serve you. Please let our Customer Service Department know about your ideas via email.