Summit operates a Self-Directed Community First Choice and Personal Assistance Services (SD-CFC/PAS) program. These programs are designed to provide long term supportive care in the home setting for people with disabilities who have long-term care needs, have full coverage under Montana Medicaid, and want to direct their in-home personal assistance services. In order to qualify for the CFC program a consumer must also meet level of care requirements. These programs enable older adults and disabled citizens to remain living in their homes rather than needing to move into a nursing home or other institutional setting to get the assistance with activities of daily living they need.

Under the Self-Directed PAS program, in existence since 1995, consumers or their representative have total responsibility and flexibility over their own care. This includes managing a personal assistant’s work schedule, length of employment, and training.

The Self-Directed CFC program, in existence since 2014, operates in the same manner as the PAS program whereas consumers or their representative have total responsibility and flexibility over their own care. This includes managing a personal assistant’s work schedule, length of employment, and training. The CFC programs consists of all the same services as the PAS program but also includes additional services that can help individuals receiving services better be able to be active in their communities.

A provider agency, such as Summit, provides oversight of your self-directed personal assistance and community first choice services. A provider agency is an organization that enrolls with the Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) to oversee personal assistance and community first choice services and completes an in-home visit at least once every 180 day. You can choose which agency you want to use.

What Are Personal Assistance and Community First Choice Services?

Personal Assistance (PAS) and Community First Choice (CFC) Services are services provided to persons who reside at home and have a medical necessity for assistance with activities of daily living. Services through these programs include assistance with the following activities of daily living:

  • Bathing
  • Toileting
  • Transferring
  • Positioning
  • Medication assistance
  • Meal preparation and eating
  • Dressing
  • Personal hygiene and grooming
  • Ambulation and exercise

Medical escort to a Medicaid-reimbursed service may also be authorized in addition to the above activities when assistance is needed en-route or at medical appointments.

Individuals who need help with activities of daily living may also receive help with the following instrumental activities of daily living:

  • household tasks related to their living area
  • limited grocery shopping
  • laundry

Under the CFC program there may also be additional time for the following services if you qualify:

  • Community integration,
  • Yard hazard removal for the purpose of providing safe access and entry to the home, and
  • Correspondence assistance.

Consumers may also be able to get a personal emergency response system through the CFC program.

Click here learn more about Community First Choice and Personal Assistance Services

Services Eligibility

Summit’s Self-Direct-Community First Choice/Personal Assistance Services (SD-CFC/PAS) programs are in-home personal care assistant programs designed for individuals who have long-term care needs, have full coverage under Montana Medicaid, and want to self-direct their in-home personal assistance services. In order to qualify for the CFC program a consumer must also meet level of care requirements, which are assessed and determined by Mountain-Pacific Quality Health.

To participate in Summit’s SD-CFC/PAS program, you must require assistance with personal care tasks or health maintenance activities and be able to manage paperwork and duties required by this Medicaid program. Eligible persons may also have a family member or other personal representative direct services on their behalf.

Anytime a consumer chooses SD-CFC/PAS services, they must obtain authorization from their health care professional. The consumer or their personal representative must also meet capacity, which means they can demonstrate a thorough understanding of the program requirements and ability to carry out those requirements.

To learn more about the Summit’s SD-CFC/PAS program, to see if you qualify for services, or to inquire about working as a personal assistant, please contact Summit’s Self-Directed CFC/PAS Department at 406-728-1630, or by using the contact form on the right.

Contact Our CFC/PAS Department

    Other Long-Term Services and Supports Available in Montana

    Agency-Based Personal Assistance/Community First Choice Services (AB-CFC/PAS)
    Under the agency-based option for care, the person selects a qualified provider agency. The agency works with the person to establish the schedule for service provision and provides the trained staff necessary for the delivery of care. A nurse from the provider agency completes an on-site visit at least once every 180 days for supervision of care.

    Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS)
    The Montana Big Sky Home and Community Based Services Program (also known as the Medicaid Waiver program) is an enhancement of the basic personal assistance programs and covers services that are otherwise not covered covered under the state plan for in-home Personal Assistance or Community First Choice services. Under this program people, who would otherwise be institutionalized, are more fully able to access services that greatly increase their ability to live in their own home and community rather than in a nursing home. The services are made available through the Department of Public Health & Human Services (DPHHS) and the Senior and Long Term Care Division (SLTC).

    Summit SD-CFC/PAS Personal Assistant Employment Information

    If you are interested in working as a personal assistant or have already been hired by a consumer and need to fill out the necessary employment paperwork, please click here to download Summit’s PCA employment forms.

    The application packet will download in a zip folder format, please be sure to review all materials and fill out and sign the appropriate forms before turning them in to Summit. You will be required to sign that you’ve reviewed all materials. If unable to download, the application packet is also available at the front desk of our Missoula office.

    Current Employee Information

    If you are currently employed as a personal assistant with Summit, please direct any job related questions to our Self-Direct Department by sending a message using the contact form above or by calling our main office in Missoula.

    Payroll Policies:

      1. Pay Periods run every two week (begin Sunday, end Saturday)
      2. Time sheets are due in the Missoula office by Wednesday at 2pm after the pay period ends.
      3. Time sheets received after 2 pm on the due date will be processed with the following pay period.
      4. ONLY ORIGINAL TIME SHEETS WILL BE ACCEPTED: NO FAXES, E-MAILS, CALL-INS, OR DUMMY SHEETS.

    2024 Summit Payroll Calendar