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Choosing a CFSS or PCA agency
What the state requires of agencies, and the questions to ask before you pick one.
Transition dates changed in 2026. Confirm yours with your county, tribal nation or health plan, or write to DHS.CFSS@state.mn.us.
What a provider agency does
In the CFSS agency model, the provider agency is the employer. It recruits, hires, trains, supervises and pays your support workers. Agencies must meet all Minnesota Health Care Programs provider requirements and be enrolled with DHS as a CFSS provider. DHS says it finished revalidating all provider agencies as CFSS providers in June 2026. That does not tell you whether a particular agency is enrolled today, so ask each agency.
What the state requires
Every PCA or CFSS worker must pass a background study started by the provider agency or financial management services provider. Workers must also pass the standardized state training with a score of 80 percent or higher and be enrolled with DHS and affiliated with your agency or FMS provider.
Agencies must confirm each worker is competent within 30 days of starting services and document individual training on your needs. The state provides a separate worker training and development budget for this. The agency also has to supervise and evaluate services.
Agencies must have a written policies and procedures manual, give people information about their rights, and notify you in advance if they plan to stop being your provider. They may not market directly to people based on perceived disability or public assistance status.
The state sets pay rules for agencies. Wages and benefits equal to at least 72.5 percent of the revenue from the PCA or CFSS rate, and the 7.5 percent enhanced reimbursement must be passed to the workers who provide those services. Agencies must also comply with labor laws.
Conflict-of-interest limits apply. An agency cannot be both your provider agency and your housing provider. It also cannot be your consultation services provider, or your provider of financial management services or case management, while it serves as your CFSS provider agency. Lead agencies cannot be provider agencies.
Federal law requires providers of personal care services to use electronic visit verification to document visits billed to the state. Minnesota began implementing it on June 20, 2022, and DHS says that beginning in 2026 it reviews and enforces compliance for all providers. You can ask an agency which system it uses.
Questions to ask
- Are you enrolled with DHS as a CFSS provider?
- How do you handle background studies and worker training?
- Who supervises workers, and how often?
- What is your complaint process?
- How do you handle a 30-day notice or a transfer if I switch agencies?
- Which electronic visit verification system do you use?
Providers must tell you how to make a complaint when you start. Minnesota Aging Pathways (800-333-2433) and the Office of Ombudsman for Long-Term Care (1-800-657-3591) can help you understand your options and rights.
The agency directory lists providers by county. Listing in it is information only: it is not an endorsement, and it does not show whether a provider is enrolled, so ask each agency directly.
Common questions
What is the difference between the agency model and the budget model?
In the agency model an agency employs your workers and you get service units. In the budget model you are the employer, you get a budget in dollars, and a financial management services provider helps with payroll and employer tasks.
What does a consultation services provider do, and can my PCA agency be mine?
They explain your CFSS options, help you write your service delivery plan and give ongoing support. Your PCA or CFSS provider agency cannot also be your consultation services provider.