Over the past several weeks, The Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS) has heard from PCAs and Consumers who have voiced concerns about the transition to a single Fiscal Intermediary (FI).  As one of several steps to respond to these concerns, EOHHS has directed Tempus Unlimited to issue a one-time payment, effective January 28, 2022, to certain PCAs who are estimated to have worked in CY2022 but where a timesheet for the estimated hours worked by the PCA has not yet been processed by Tempus.  Please see below for further information.

Why is EOHHS directing Tempus to make these one-time payments?

This one-time payment is intended to estimate the regular hour payments for PCA services likely provided by a PCA immediately following the transition to Tempus as the sole statewide Fiscal Intermediary (FI), but for which a timesheet for the hours worked by the PCA has not yet been processed by Tempus.  Tempus will pay for overtime and travel upon receipt of a valid timesheet. Tempus may not have processed a timesheet for several reasons, including (but not limited to): your Consumer did not submit a timesheet to Tempus FI, or Tempus was unable to process a timesheet due to an error, Prior Authorization issue, or administrative issue related to the FI transition.

Who will receive a payment?

Only certain PCAs will receive a payment, based on whether they were paid for providing MassHealth PCA services 1) just before the transition to a single FI; and 2) just after the transition to a single FI.

To receive payment, a PCA will need to meet all of the following criteria:

1. The PCA works for 1) a PCA Consumer receiving PCA through a Fee-for-Service, Senior Care Options (SCO), or One Care Plan; or 2) a Waiver Participant in the Moving Forward Plan (MFP) Self-Directed Waiver Program

AND

2. The PCA’s Consumer-employer saw a 10% or greater decrease in the hours paid to all PCAs after the FI transition, as compared to just before the FI transition.

AND

3. A timesheet for the PCA was not processed by Tempus following the transition due to an administrative or other reason related to the FI transition, and as a result, payment to the PCA for hours worked has not been made.

AND

4. EITHER:

a. The PCA was paid for providing PCA services during the pay period 12/5/21-12/18/21, but has NOT yet been paid for providing PCA services during the pay period 12/19/21-1/1/22;

OR

b. The PCA was paid for providing PCA services during the pay period 11/28/21-12/11/21, but has NOT yet been paid for providing PCA services during the pay period 12/26/21-1/8/22.

How will I know if I received a one-time payment?

All PCAs who received a one-time payment should have received an automated text message, phone call, and/or email from Tempus FI explaining that you received a payment.  One-time payments will be reflected in each PCA’s paystub.  One-time payments were deposited into PCAs’ bank accounts on January 28, 2022.

How was the amount of my one-time payment calculated?

The one-time payment is based on the amount of regular hours worked by the PCA and paid to the PCA in the payroll period immediately prior to the FI transition (either 11/28/21-12/11/21 or 12/5/21-12/18/21, depending on the PCA’s payroll group).

What do I do if I received a one-time payment?

If you received a one-time payment, you MUST still submit a timesheet for any time you have provided PCA services. You will be paid for overtime and travel after Tempus receives your timesheet, in accordance with program rules. This includes submitting a timesheet for the above-mentioned pay periods.  Download a blank time sheet by visiting https://tempusunlimited.org/form-finder/.  You can submit your timesheet to Tempus by fax, mail, email, in-person, or e-timesheet, as follows:

Fax: (800) 359-2884

Mail: 600 Technology Center Dr., Stoughton, MA 02072

Email: [email protected]

E-timesheet: timesheets.tempusunlimited.org

Learn more about e-timesheet at: https://tempusunlimited.org/fi-transition-e-timesheet-migration/

If you received a one-time payment but did not provide PCA services between 12/19/21-1/1/22 or 12/26/21-1/8/22, you do not need to do anything.

What do I do if I have questions?

Due to extremely high call volume, we ask that PCAs and Consumers with questions about this payment please do not call Tempus Fiscal Intermediary at this time.  Questions may be directed to Tempus FI via email at [email protected].  (Please note that it may take 3-5 business days to receive a response, due to high volume.)  Consumers with questions about the one-time payment may contact their Personal Care Management agency.