Weekly Hours
What is changing?
Today, MassHealth authorizes day/evening hours and night hours separately. Currently, Day/evening hours are authorized per week and can only be used between 6 a.m. and 11:59 p.m. Night hours are authorized per night and can only be used between 12 a.m. and 6 a.m.
Starting on August 27, 2023, MassHealth will authorize all PCA hours PER WEEK. As of August 27, 2023, Consumers will be allowed to schedule their PCA(s) to work at any time of the day or night, as long as they do not use more than the number of weekly hours MassHealth has approved.
If you are a Consumer, this change will NOT affect the total hours you are currently allowed. Your PCA hours will not go up or down because of the change. However, the change will give you more flexibility when scheduling your PCA(s).
What happens next?
Prior Authorization
MassHealth will update your PCA prior authorization (PA). Your PA will tell you how many PCA hours you are allowed to use per week, as of August 27, 2023. If you receive day/evening and night hours, these hours will be combined into a single weekly amount.
If you use paper Timesheets
New timesheets have been mailed to Consumers, which should have arrived around August 23, 2023. A cover letter was included that provides detailed instructions about how and when to start using the new timesheets.
The date you will start using the new timesheets depends on your payroll schedule. See below for details.
| Schedule 1 (Pay Period 8/20 – 9/2) |
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This change will occur in the middle of the pay period. When reporting time for this period, please continue to use the old timesheet and do not enter totals in the Night Hours field for the second week (8/27-9/2). These hours will be paid using the in and out times. Please do not submit multiple timesheets per PCA for this pay period. Please start using the new timesheets for the pay period starting 9/3/2023. |
| Schedule 2 (Pay Period 8/27 – 9/9) |
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Please start using the new timesheets for the pay period starting 8/27/2023. Enter the start/end times for each shift worked. These timesheets will replace the previous version. |
Please note that the new timesheets no longer include a column for Night hours or a carbon copy. You can either keep a copy or take a picture of the form for your records.
The new timesheet is available as a printable or fill in form on our website FI Timesheet.
Additional paper forms can be requested either by the chat function on the website or by calling 877-479-7577.
If you use E-Timesheets
These changes will be made to the E-Timesheet system. The Night hours total box will be removed for the appropriate starting week.
FAQs
Will my total hours change?
No. If you are a Consumer, this change will NOT affect the total hours you are currently authorized. Your PCA hours will not go up or down because of the change.
Please note that if you are a Consumer, the change to weekly hours does NOT give you permission to use more PCA hours than MassHealth authorizes. If you use more than your authorized weekly hours, you might run out of units before your PA ends.
How will the change work?
Example:
Prior to the change, a Consumer is approved for 20 day/evening hours per week and 2 hours per night.
After the change, this Consumer is now approved for 34 hours per week.
Day/Evening hours 20 hours
+ Night hours 2 hours X 7 days = 14 hours
Total Hours 34 hours
How will my payroll change?
Instead of seeing hours separated by Day/Evening and Night, you will see a new category named Regular hours.
My PCA used to get paid for two hours no matter how long they worked overnight. Will that change?
Yes. For any shifts that start and end between 12:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m., either two hours or the total amount of time worked, whichever is greater, will be paid.
What if I have questions?
If you are a Consumer, please contact your Personal Care Management (PCM) agency with questions. If you are a PCA, please speak with your Consumer-Employer.