7281.1 Community First Choice (CFC) Personal Assistance Services/Habilitation (PAS/HAB)

The following activities may be billed to CFC PAS/HAB if included in the individual’s authorized IPC:

• personal assistance services that provide assistance to an individual in performing ADLs and IADLs based on the individual’s person-centered service plan, including:
• non-skilled assistance with the performance of the ADLs and IADLs;
• household chores necessary to maintain the home in a clean, sanitary, and safe environment;
• escort services, which consist of accompanying and assisting an individual to access services or activities in the community, but do not include operating a vehicle while transporting an individual (see separate CLASS service Transportation-habilitation Services); and
• assistance with health-related tasks; and
• habilitation that provides assistance to an individual in acquiring, retaining and improving self-help, socialization and daily living skills and training the individual on ADLs, IADLs and health-related tasks, such as:
  • self-care;
  • personal hygiene;
  • household tasks;
  • mobility;
  • money management;
  • community integration, including how to get around in the community;
  • use of adaptive equipment;
  • personal decision making;
  • reduction of challenging behaviors to allow individuals to accomplish ADLs, IADLs, and health-related tasks; and
  • self-administration of medication.

Calculating CFC PAS/Hab tasks

For CLASS, the tool used for justifying PAS/Hab is Form 3595, PAS/Habilitation Plan – CLASS/DBMD/CFC.

For HCS, the tool used for justifying PAS Hab is Form 8510, HCS/TxHmL CFC PAS/HAB Assessment

PAS/Hab attendant qualifications

1. Over 18 years old
2. High school diploma or GED
3. Certified in CPR
4. Not the parent if the recipient is UNDER 18 years old
5. After recipient is 18 years old, parents can be the attendant
   • Parents who are guardians of the recipient must work through the DSA service delivery option
   • Parents who are not guardians of the recipient can work through the CDS or DSA service delivery option.
     • If working under CDS, parents wages are exempts from paying federal unemployment taxes (FUTA), and Social Security and Medicare taxes (FICA).

• Attendants wages are income tax exempt if they share the same permanent residence (aka live together) with the recipient.

More info

Electronic Visit Verification (EVV)

Hours provided must be documented using the Electronic Visit Verification (EVV) system based on the The 21st Century Cures Act, or Cures Act, is a federal law that passed in 2016 requiring states to implement EVV for Medicaid personal care services and home health care services that require an in-home visit.

More resources on EVV.

Who pays for CLASS PAS/Hab

Prior to 2015,

• CLASS Habilitation was the service that used CLASS Waiver funds to provide an attendant to assist with learning and completion of Activities of Daily Living (ADLs).
• This service included operating a vehicle while transporting an individual.
• These funds were part of the services that went toward the CLASS Cost Ceiling of $114,736.07.

After June 1, 2015:

• Funding for CLASS habilitation was shifted to Medicaid State Plan.
• It was renamed CFC PAS/Hab (Personal Assistance Services/Habilitation).
• This service does not include operating a vehicle while transporting an individual.
• The cost of CFC PAS/Hab does not go toward the CLASS Cost Ceiling of $114,736.07.

CFC totals are not reflected in the waiver total estimated annual cost and do not contribute to the individual’s waiver cost ceiling.

Instructions for Form 3621, CLASS/CFC — Individual Plan of Care

More info on Waiver Funds vs State Plan funds.