What is the PCA weekly hour limit?
PCAs may work up to 66 hours in total per week across all consumers. Any hours beyond 66 are not covered by MassHealth.
What type of work hours count toward the 66-hour limit?
Regular hours, overtime hours, holiday hours, and jury duty hours count towards the 66-hour limit.
What type of work hours don’t count toward the 66-hour limit?
Travel time, PTO, EVV training, New Hire Orientation, and other training hours don’t count toward the weekly-hour limit.
What happens if a PCA exceeds 66 hours?
This constitutes a violation. Warning notices will be sent to the PCA and the consumer by mail and Everbridge notification after each violation. After the third violation, the matter will be referred to MassHealth for possible termination from the program.
- First violation - first notice issued
- Second violation - second notice issued
- Third violation - referral to MassHealth for possible termination
If the PCA only works for one consumer, then both the PCA and the consumer will be terminated from the program after the third violation.
What are the consequences of termination?
If a PCA is terminated because they violated the weekly-hour limit, they are prohibited from working as a PCA for 9 months after termination
If they are readmitted to the program and continue to violate program regulations, they will be terminated again and permanently barred from the program.
Can weekly-hour limit violations be removed from a PCA’s employment record?
Yes. MassHealth may remove violations due to emergencies or unforeseen situations. They will also be removed after five consecutive periods (10 weeks) of compliance.
Readmission to the Program
PCAs may return after 9 months. If they violate the weekly-hour limit or overtime rule an additional three times after being rehired as a PCA, they will be terminated a second time and permanently barred from working as a PCA in the PCA program.
Consumers may be reenrolled at MassHealth’s discretion.
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| Date published: | December 31, 2025 |
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