PERSONAL CARE SERVICES PROVIDER IN LOUISIANA

Fatumata Kaba
Aug 12
4 min read

DELIVERING DAILY ASSISTANCE TO PROMOTE INDEPENDENCE, DIGNITY, AND SAFETY AT HOME

Personal Care Services (PCS) in Louisiana provide hands-on support with daily living activities for individuals with disabilities, chronic conditions, or age-related needs. These services help Medicaid participants remain in their homes or community-based settings by assisting with tasks they cannot safely perform on their own. PCS are available under the Louisiana Medicaid State Plan, Community Choices Waiver (CCW), and EPSDT services for youth under 21.

1. GOVERNING AGENCIES

Agency: Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) — Bureau of Health Services Financing

Role: Administers Medicaid PCS policies, provider enrollment, and service authorizations

Agency: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)

Role: Ensures Medicaid-funded PCS comply with federal standards under the State Plan and waiver services

Agency: Managed Care Organizations (MCOs) under Bayou Health

Role: Coordinate care authorization, oversee provider credentialing, and reimburse PCS claims

Agency: Medicaid Management Information System (MMIS) / Molina Medicaid Solutions

Role: Processes provider applications, claims, and payments

2. PERSONAL CARE SERVICE OVERVIEW

Personal Care Services are non-medical supports that help participants with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs) to maintain health and safety at home.

Approved services may include:

Bathing, grooming, dressing, and toileting assistance
Mobility, positioning, and transfer support
Meal preparation and feeding assistance
Medication reminders (non-clinical)
Light housekeeping related to participant care
Accompaniment to medical appointments or errands
Safety monitoring and documentation of care

PCS must be medically necessary, authorized in the participant’s Plan of Care (POC) or Service Plan, and delivered by trained Personal Care Attendants (PCAs) or aides under supervision.

3. LICENSING & PROVIDER APPROVAL REQUIREMENTS

Prerequisites:

Register business with the Louisiana Secretary of State
Obtain IRS EIN and Type 2 NPI
Apply for PCS Provider Type through the Louisiana Medicaid Provider Enrollment Portal
Obtain licensure as a Licensed Personal Care Attendant (LPCA) agency if required
Maintain liability and workers’ compensation insurance
Hire and train qualified PCAs or Direct Support Professionals (DSPs)
Develop a Personal Care Services Policy & Procedure Manual
Implement HIPAA-compliant documentation, scheduling, and time-tracking systems

4. PROVIDER ENROLLMENT PROCESS

Step 1: Medicaid Provider Enrollment

Apply at https://www.lamedicaid.com as a PCS provider
Submit NPI, EIN, insurance, and business documentation

Step 2: Credentialing with MCOs (if serving managed care participants)

Contract with each MCO separately (Aetna, UHC, Healthy Blue, LA Healthcare Connections, AmeriHealth Caritas)

Step 3: Staff Hiring and Onboarding

Complete background checks, initial training, and required screenings for all PCAs

Step 4: Begin Service Delivery with Authorized POC

Receive referrals from case managers
Start in-home support and document all tasks provided

5. REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION

Articles of Incorporation or sole proprietor registration
IRS EIN and NPI confirmation
Proof of general liability and workers’ comp insurance
Medicaid enrollment confirmation
PCS Policy & Procedure Manual including:
- Intake and Service Plan templates
- Daily activity log sheets
- Medication reminder protocols
- Incident and grievance reporting forms
- Participant rights and consent forms
- Staff orientation, supervision, and competency records
- HIPAA policies and timekeeping procedures
- Medicaid billing templates and audit-ready logs

6. STAFFING REQUIREMENTS

Role: Personal Care Attendant (PCA) / Direct Support Professional (DSP)

Requirements: High school diploma or GED (preferred); background check; CPR/First Aid certification (recommended); hands-on training in ADLs

Role: Field Supervisor / Program Manager

Requirements: Experience in home care oversight; responsible for visit quality, documentation review, and incident follow-up

Training Requirements for All Staff:

HIPAA and participant confidentiality
Infection control and personal care hygiene
Abuse/neglect prevention and reporting
ADL/IADL documentation
Emergency response procedures
Person-centered care principles

7. MEDICAID WAIVER & STATE PLAN SERVICES

Personal Care Services are reimbursed under:

Louisiana Medicaid State Plan (PCS Program)
Community Choices Waiver (CCW) — for adults with disabilities and seniors
EPSDT PCS — Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis, and Treatment for youth under 21
Money Follows the Person (MFP) — transitional personal care post-discharge

Approved providers may deliver: