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.
The PCA New Hire Orientation is a 4-hour program. Starting February 1, 2021, the Workers' Rights section of the orientation is being moved from the consumer led portion of the orientation to the 1199SEIU Training and Upgrading Fund (TUF) portion along side the Infection Control training that started on October 1, 2020 (Infection Control Training Flyer). Any PCA completing the orientation with their consumer on or after February 1, 2021, will need to complete the final 2-hours of the orientation with TUF within 30 days of completing the orientation with their consumer. PCAs will be paid 4-hours for completing the orientation only after completing both portions of the orientation. A memo from MassHealth about this change can be found here.
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:
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.
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.
PCA Orientation
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Starting February 1, 2021, the Workers' Rights section of the orientation is being moved from the consumer led portion of the orientation to the 1199SEIU Training and Upgrading Fund portion along side the Infection Control training that started on October 1, 2020 . Any PCA completing the orientation with their consumer on or after February 1, 2021, will need to complete the final 2-hours of the orientation with the Homecare Training Benefit within 30 days of completing the orientation with their consumer. PCAs will be paid 4-hours for completing the orientation only after completing both portions of the orientation. Memos regarding these changes are below.
New Hire Orientation Workers' Rights Update Memo
Infection Control Training Memo
Information for New PCAs
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
Termination & Unemployment
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?
As of January 1, 2014, PCAs who have never worked in the MassHealth PCA program, are required to complete the PCA orientation program. Starting October 1, 2020, a 1-hour infection control training was added to the PCA new hire orientation. This now makes the orientation a 4-hour program. Anyone completing the orientation on or after October 1, 2020 will now need to complete the infection control training to fulfill the program requirements and receive pay for completing it.
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 only have 90 days from the initial notice to complete the orientation with their PCA. After 90 days, a PCA must attend a group session with the Homecare Training Benefit. A consumer must return the Consumer Options Notice to Stavros Fiscal preform the orientation with their PCA online at https://pcaworkforcecouncil.training.ehs.state.ma.us (instructions for orientation can be downloaded by clicking the link below). The consumer and PCA will not have access to the online orientation until the Consumer Options Notice is returned and processed by us. Starting February 1, 2021 the Workers' Rights section is being moved from the consumer led orientation to the Homecare Training Benefit portion. PCAs should contact the Homecare Training Benefit after completing the 2-hour consumer portion of the orientation to sign up for the 2-hour Workers' Rights and infection control training. This must be completed within 30 days of finishing the consumer led portion of the orientation. The phone number for the Homecare Training Benefit is 1-877-409-8283.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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:
What is the 1199SEIU Union?
PCAs are represented by the 1199SEIU in Massachusetts. Information about the 1199SEIU can be found on their website. 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 by completing the application below or Join the 1199SEIU online. PCAs can also 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.
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.