For close to 20 years, MRCI has been handling employer of record projects for Minnesota counties, including the hire and contracting to counties of their staff.

 

An early believer in consumer self-direction, MRCI became involved with the first Consumer Directed services.  MRCI has been providing Employer of Record (EOR) and Fiscal Intermediary (FI) services since 1998.  MRCI currently provides EOR (including PCA Choice), FI services, and Fiscal Support Entity (FSE) services (Agency with Choice, Fiscal Employer Agent and Fiscal Conduit) to 740 consumers in 29 counties in southern Minnesota and the metro area.

Employer of Record/Fiscal Intermediary, Fiscal Support Entity:

 

When initiating services with a family, an MRCI representative will meet with the consumer/consumer’s representative to explain the program and furnish them with necessary forms, etc.  This meeting can happen very quickly, if that is what the consumer wants—generally we are able to arrange a meeting within the same week.  If desired, a budget plan is written at the meeting that reflects the Community Support Plan/Spending Plan and within one to two business days, a copy is sent electronically to the county and the consumer.

 

All payroll or non-payroll related expenditures are compared to the Community Support Plan/Spending Plan before payment, to ensure that only approved expenses are paid/reimbursed.

 

MRCI provides information for the consumer to set up as either a managing employer and/or common law employer, to hire their employees and to submit payroll.  Employees are paid twice a month, on the 11th and 26th (direct deposit is an option). 

 

Reimbursement checks to the consumers, and payments to providers and vendors are issued every Friday for all requests received by the preceding Wednesday.

 

MRCI provides a detailed monthly expense report to the consumer.  The case manager is also provided with a copy of this report, at a frequency as determined by the county.  MRCI monitors both under-spending and over-spending, and notifies both the consumer and county case manager based on established percentage parameters. 

PCA Choice

The PCA (Personal Care Assistant) Choice Provider program was created by the legislature in 1999. Under this program, the consumer and/or a responsible party assume some of the responsibilities that previously belonged to a PCA provider organization. MRCI, as a PCA Choice provider, is an employer of record that handles the financial management of the PCA services. This creates less administrative overhead, which allows the PCA to be paid a higher wage.

The consumer contacts the county Public Health Nurse to complete a face to face assessment for PCA services. As part of that assessment, the consumer must choose PCA Choice and determine whether they want to supervise staff directly or use the services of a qualified professional (Registered Nurse, mental health professional or social worker). The consumer and/or qualified professional becomes responsible for recruiting, hiring, orienting, training, scheduling and ongoing supervision of this PCA.

The PCA must be 18 years or older (with some exceptions) and be able to perform the needed personal cares. The services the PCA provides may include: Activities of Daily Living (such as assistance with dressing, bathing, mobility, positioning, toileting); Health Related Care Needs as assigned by a licensed health care professional (these are special health needs such as wound cares, non-sterile respiratory cares, therapy programs); Other Living Supports (this may include meal planning and preparation, performing essential household chores, shopping for essential items); Behavior Redirection and Intervention. The PCA must also be able to recognize and report changes in the consumer’s condition to the appropriate party.

MRCI secures criminal background checks on employees and verifies and keeps records of hours worked. MRCI provides payroll services and pays all payroll taxes. It also does reporting, assumes responsibility for workers’ compensation, unemployment compensation and liability insurance.

Employees can be paid up to $11.75 per hour as a beginning wage, which can be increased up to $12.79 per hour after a minimum of 300 hours of work. Thereafter increases or decreases will be determined by the legislature.

Flexible Case Management:

 

If you receive (or you are the responsible party for someone who receives) funding under the DD waiver, the TBI waiver, CADI waiver, the Elderly (EW) waiver or the CAC waiver, you have access to many Consumer Directed Supports.  A Flexible Case Manager (FCM) can assist you in deciding what supports will work for you and/or in writing a Community Support Plan (CSP) to put your decisions into action.

 

Laws, regulations and implementation of funding are always changing.  A Flexible Case Manager can help you navigate through these changes, while making you aware of choices and resources that you may have never known before.  If you use, or want to use, the Consumer Directed Community Supports (CDCS) option, we can help you develop and implement your plan as you want it.

 

What an MRCI Flexible Case Manager can do for you:

  • Provide information about Consumer Directed Community Supports (CDCS) options

  • Develop your Community Support Plan (CSP) as required by each county

  • Write a Health and Safely Plan

  • Provide information about technology and community resources

  • Provide staff training specific to your needs

  • If you choose, facilitate a Lifestyle Planning meeting to help develop a plan to get you where you want to be

  • Teach you how to recruit, interview, hire, train, schedule, manage and pay employees

  • Monitor your CDCS plan and budget (monthly or as needed)

 

Staff Qualifications:

In the MRCI-EOR/FSE department, there are four customer service staff including the EOR/FSE manager, a PCA Choice specialist, four accounts payable/payroll technicians and a supervisor with a 4-year degree in accounting.  These staff are well trained and experienced in employer of record processes and procedures.

The EOR/FSE customer services staff have 45 years of experience among them, working directly with consumers on the job and in their homes.  These staff have completed training and have experience working with individuals who have Autism, Asperger’s Syndrome, dual diagnoses, seizure disorder, Down Syndrome, TBI, cerebral palsy, etc.  MRCI is able to offer the families advice from EOR/FSE staff who have over 35 years of experience in hiring, training, retraining, disciplining and discharging personnel.  MRCI’s Human Resources department is always available for consultation and assistance.

 

Forms for Employer of Record, Fiscal Support Entity
and PCA Choice services:

 Employment Documentation:

 Personal Support:

 CSG, FSG and miscellaneous county-funded programs:

 Consumer Directed Community Supports (CDCS):

 PCA Choice: