Client Assessments for PCA Services

Client assessments are evalutations of individuals to determine the need for PCA services and, if so, how much care is to be provided through a PCA agency. PCA agencies do not administer client assessments; The assessment is completed by a Public Health Nurse (PHN) who works for the client's County. The objective of a Client Assessment is to determine a potential client's eligibility to receive PCA services. If eligible, the PHN outlines the specific services that the client may receive and with what level of care. After the initial assessment, reassessments are completed every year.

During an assessment, the PHN becomes acquainted with the individual and learns about the individual's health care needs. He / she observes the individual and asks questions regarding the person's health. The PHN completes the Assessment Form, which determines how many service hours per day the client will receive. Generally, the more ADL's the client needs help with, the more hours they receive. Individuals in need of help with critical ADLS (such as eating, transfers, toileting, and mobility) will usually be alloted more hours; Help with non-critical ADLs may receive less hours.

Reassessments

Assessments are valid for one year. The first assessment that an individual undergoes is called an "Initial Assessment." Assessments thereafter are considered "Reassessments." The client needs to be reassessed each year to accomodate changing health care needs. A client may ask for a reassessment before the year is up if his / her condition worsens.

Appealing an Assessment

If a client feels his / her hours have unjustly been reduced (or canceled altogether) during a reassessment and believes the outcome does not adequately reflect his / her health care needs, he / she is able to file an appeal. A Client Assessment for PCA Services Appeal Form should be turned into DHS within 10 days of the notice of reduction. They will consider reevaluating you once more. Appeals can take up to 30 days to be processed.

Care Plans

Once a client is approved to receive PCA services, a Care Plan is created based on the PHN's assessment. The Care Plan is developed by the client (and if applicable, the client's Responsible Party) and the agency's Qualified Professional. Each Care Plan is customized to accommodate the unique needs of each client and it outlines the services that are to be delivered by the PCA(s). New Care Plans are created after each Client Reassessment.

A client's Care Plan is a document which outlines: