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Assessments for PCA and CFSS
Who completes the assessment, how long it takes and what happens at each yearly reassessment.
Transition dates changed in 2026. Confirm yours with your county, tribal nation or health plan, or write to DHS.CFSS@state.mn.us.
Who does the assessment
The lead agency does the assessment. A lead agency is the county, tribal nation or managed care organization that oversees your services. It uses the MnCHOICES assessment. Some lead agencies still use the paper legacy assessment, which a certified assessor or a public health nurse completes. Both use the same criteria and formula.
The provider agency you choose later is a separate organization from the lead agency that assesses you.
How to ask for one
People under 65 contact their county or tribal nation. People 65 or older who belong to a managed care organization contact that organization, and people 65 or older who do not belong to one contact their county or tribal nation. The county pages in this guide list the long-term care contacts for the Twin Cities area.
How long it takes
One request starts the process: the lead agency must assess you within 20 business days and send your results within 10 business days after that.
The lead agency must conduct the assessment within 20 business days of receiving your request, and must send eligibility results within 10 business days to you, your representative and known providers.
Assessments are done in person, either at home, where services happen, or at an institution you are leaving. They can also be done remotely when the rules allow it.
Reassessments
A reassessment happens every year and also after a significant change in your condition. The provider agency, in the agency model, or the financial management services provider, in the budget model, must request the reassessment at least 60 days before the current service agreement ends.
This yearly reassessment is also when people who still receive PCA are moved to CFSS.
What the assessment looks for
The assessment must find that you need hands-on help, or cueing and supervision, with at least one activity of daily living, or that you have a Level I behavior. It also confirms that you can direct your own care or have a participant's representative who can. A representative is required for people under 18, for adults with a court-appointed guardian and for anyone the assessment finds cannot direct their own care.
The assessment also checks the setting. You must live in the community, not in a hospital, nursing facility, ICF/DD or a foster care setting licensed for more than six people, and not in housing owned or controlled by your provider agency.
After the assessment
You receive the results and a notice of action letter that lists the services you were found eligible for. The lead agency authorizes services in the state system, which sets the units or dollars and the start and end dates, and you receive a service authorization letter. The letter lists what you were found eligible for. If you disagree with a result, ask your lead agency about your options, or write to DHS.CFSS@state.mn.us.
You can read how the next steps work in the getting started guide, and the terms used here are defined in the glossary.
Common questions
How do I get an assessment?
Under 65, contact your county or tribal nation. Age 65 or older and in a managed care organization, contact your MCO; otherwise your county or tribal nation. The lead agency must complete the assessment within 20 business days of your request.
Who is eligible for CFSS?
People who live in the community, can direct their own care or have a representative who does, are on Medical Assistance, a waiver or Alternative Care (MinnesotaCare in limited cases), are not using the Family Support Grant, and are found eligible in an assessment. Eligibility is the same as PCA.
How often is an assessment repeated?
Reassessment happens each year and after a significant change in condition.
Who do I contact for an assessment if I am 65 or older?
People 65 or older who belong to a managed care organization contact that organization. People 65 or older who do not belong to one contact their county or tribal nation.