1. Program Definition and Services
Personal Assistance Services (PAS) in Arkansas, also known as Personal Care Services (PCS), provide hands-on assistance with everyday tasks to Medicaid beneficiaries in their homes. Services include:
- Assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs) such as eating, bathing, dressing, personal hygiene, toileting, and ambulating
- Help with instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs) like meal preparation, incidental housekeeping, and laundry
2. Regulations
The program is governed by Arkansas Medicaid Personal Care Services Provider Manual and Arkansas Administrative Code 016.06.48.
3. Licensing or Certification
Providers must be licensed as Private Care Agencies in Arkansas to offer personal care services
4. Responsible State Agency
The Arkansas Department of Human Services (DHS) administers the Personal Care program
5. Application Process
Providers must complete an application process through DHS. The specific online or mail-in process details are not available.
6. Required Documentation
Required documentation includes:
- Physician's referral for PCS
- Individual Service Plan prepared by the PCS agency
- ARTC Personal Care Authorization Request Form
- Proof of licensure as a Private Care Agency
7. Timeline for Approval
Reviews of Personal Care PA Requests are completed within 15 working days of receiving a complete request
8. Pre-Application Process
No specific pre-application process is mentioned.
9. Pre-Application Training
While not explicitly mentioned, providers must meet the standards for personal care as set by the Arkansas Department of Human Services Medicaid Personal Services Provider manual
10. Additional Notes
- Services are authorized for a maximum of 180 days at a time
- A unit of personal care service is 15 minutes of direct service to the member
- Members over 21 are limited to 64 hours a month in personal care services
- Self-direction services are available through the Independent Choices program, allowing participants to choose and manage their own personal assistance services
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