MassHealth Personal Care Attendant program fact sheet

Empowering Independence at Home

The Massachusetts Personal Care Attendant (PCA) Program enables individuals with chronic or permanent disabilities to live independently in their homes or communities by hiring Personal Care Attendants to assist with daily living tasks.

The PCA Program promotes self-direction: consumers (the individuals receiving services) are the employers of their PCA and are responsible for hiring, training, supervising, and, if necessary, terminating their attendants. The PCAs are paid by MassHealth for the MassHealth covered PCA services they provide.

Who is Eligible?

To qualify for the PCA Program, individuals must:

• Be eligible for MassHealth Standard or CommonHealth
• Have a permanent or chronic disability
• Require physical assistance with two or more Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) such as bathing, dressing, eating or mobility.
• Must be able to manage their own PCA services or have a Surrogate or Administrative Proxy to assist them

Key Services Provided by PCAs:

• Personal care (e.g., grooming, bathing, hygiene)
• Mobility and transfer assistance
• Medication assistance
• Meal preparation and feeding
• Grocery Shopping
• Light housekeeping
• Providing transportation to medical appointments

Why Choose the PCA Program?

• Remain at home and maintain independence
• Receive individualized, person-centered care
• Choose who provides your care
• Flexibility to set your own schedule
• Increased quality of life and community integration

Get Involved!

If you or a loved one could benefit from the PCA program contact us today to learn more.

Date published:	March 20, 2026