The Commonwealth of Massachusetts 
Executive Office of Health and Human Services 
One Ashburton Place, Room 1109 
Boston, Massachusetts 02108 


CHARLES D. BAKER Tel.: (617) 573-1600 
Governor Fax: (617) 573-1891 
www.mass.gov/eohhs 
KARYN E. POLITO 
Lieutenant Governor 

MARYLOU SUDDERS 
Secretary 

To: All Consumers in the PCA Program 
From: Whitney Moyer, Chief, Office of Long-Term Services and Supports 
Date: July 29, 2019 
Re: Collective Bargaining Changes 


Several changes to the Personal Care Assistance (PCA) Program recently went into effect or will soon go into 
effect. The purpose of this memo is to notify you of these important changes and to explain how they affect 
you and your PCAs. 

1. 
Effective July 1, 2019, the PCA gross wage rate increased to $15.40 per hour. 
2. 
Effective July 1, 2019: 
a. 
All PCA accrued sick time was converted to Paid Time Off (PTO); 
b. 
PCAs may accrue up to 50 hours of PTO; and 
c. 
PCAs leaving employment after July 1, 2019 from all PCA Program consumers are eligible for 
a pay-out of unused, accrued PTO. 
Details regarding PTO can be found in the attached PCA Earned Paid Time Off document. 

3. 
Effective September 1, 2019, consumer-employers and PCAs will be able to access PCA pay advice 
information electronically on your Fiscal Intermediary’s website. 
4. 
Paystub information will default to electronic access; however, PCAs who wish to opt out of this 
option may receive paystub information via standard mail. Consumers will no longer receive 
paystub forms via standard mail; however, they will continue to receive a payroll register and cover 
sheet via standard mail. MassHealth OLTSS will provide the effective date of this change once it is 
finalized. 
5. 
PCA New Hire Orientation updates effective September 1, 2019: 
a. 
A PCA must complete New Hire Orientation within 9 months of the start of PCA employment 
or will be subject to a $1.00 per hour payroll deduction until the PCA completes orientation; 
b. 
Consumer-employers may determine the method for New Hire Orientation (consumer-taught 
or group session) within the first 3 months of a PCA’s employment; 
c. 
PCAs who have not completed New Hire Orientation within the first 3 months of employment 
must complete group New Hire Orientation within the remaining 4-9 months; and 
d. 
PCAs will not be refunded New Hire Orientation sanctions. 
PLEASE SHARE THIS IMPORTANT INFORMATION WITH YOUR PCAS