Personal Care and Home Supports (PCHS) is a Medi-Cal benefit that covers in-home care — at $0 out of pocket — for eligible members. Here's who qualifies and how to find out.
To be eligible for PCHS through CalAIM, a member must meet all of the following criteria.
PCHS is only available to members enrolled in a Medi-Cal Managed Care Plan (MCP). If your Medi-Cal comes through traditional fee-for-service, you are not currently eligible. Contact your county Medi-Cal office to ask about switching to managed care.
The member must need assistance with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) — such as bathing, dressing, grooming, or mobility — or Instrumental ADLs like meal preparation or medication management, due to a physical, cognitive, or developmental condition.
PCHS serves members living in their own homes or community settings. Members residing in licensed facilities — such as skilled nursing facilities or residential care homes — are generally not eligible for PCHS.
Not all Managed Care Plans offer every CalAIM Community Support. Confirm with your plan that PCHS is available to members in your area before expecting authorization.
Note: PCHS is not an automatic entitlement — your Managed Care Plan reviews each request and authorizes based on member need. If denied, you have the right to appeal through your plan's grievance process or request an Independent Medical Review (IMR).
PCHS is especially useful in these circumstances:
PCHS can be authorized while your IHSS application is pending — bridging the gap so care isn't delayed.
If IHSS approved fewer hours than needed, PCHS can supplement those hours to fill in the rest.
PCHS is often authorized as part of a discharge plan to support a safe return home.
Members with Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, ALS, TBI, or physical disabilities who require daily assistance are strong candidates.
If the lack of home support could lead to nursing home placement, MCPs often prioritize PCHS to help the member remain home.
When an unpaid family caregiver is overwhelmed, PCHS provides professional support alongside Caregiver Respite authorization.
Follow these steps to find out if PCHS is available to you and get the authorization process started.
Your card shows your Managed Care Plan name. If it reads "Medi-Cal" without a plan name, call 1-800-541-5555 to confirm whether you're in managed care or fee-for-service.
Ask: "Does my plan offer CalAIM Community Supports — specifically Personal Care and Home Supports (PCHS) — in my county?" Request written confirmation if possible.
A primary care physician, specialist, or hospital discharge planner can submit a referral or request for PCHS through your Managed Care Plan. You can also ask to be connected with an Enhanced Care Management (ECM) Lead Care Manager.
We are a contracted PCHS provider. We can confirm whether we work with your plan and help you initiate the authorization process — at no cost to you.
You have the right to appeal any plan denial through your plan's grievance and appeals process. You may also request an Independent Medical Review through the California Department of Managed Health Care (DMHC) at 1-888-466-2219.
Already have IHSS? PCHS and IHSS can work together. PCHS can supplement existing IHSS hours or cover care tasks during periods when IHSS hours are reduced or pending reassessment. Learn about IHSS application support →