Personal Care Agencies
New online licensure and certification system for health and residential care providers
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) Division of Quality Assurance (DQA) launched the DHS DQA Provider Portal, a new online system for licensure/certification, background checks, plan reviews, and other provider applications for certain users. Visit our webpage for more information.
Personal care agencies (PCAs) provide medical support to help individuals with daily activities to keep them in their homes. These agencies can be:
- Home health agencies.
- County departments.
- Independent living centers.
- American Indian tribes or bands.
- Freestanding personal care agencies.
Certified personal care providers conduct these services on written physician orders. Personal care workers can be employed or under contract with providers. These workers provide care with supervision from a registered nurse. They follow a written care plan.
Supportive homecare
Supportive homecare involves supportive help with instrumental activities of daily living and community support. This includes meals, light housekeeping, laundry, grocery shopping, errands, escorting to appointments, companionship, and supervision. This is funded through Wisconsin's Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waiver programs: Family Care, Family Care Partnership, or IRIS.
Finding and choosing a personal care agency
Contact us
For questions about PCAs, contact the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) Division of Quality Assurance (DQA):
- Email dhsdqalccs@dhs.wisconsin.gov
- Call 608-266-2702
Mailing address
DHS Division of Quality AssuranceAttn: PCA Certification201 E. Washington Ave., Room E300Madison, WI 53703
- Call 608-267-7286
Additional contacts
Application process (personal care)
Lisa Imhof, lisa.imhof@dhs.wisconsin.gov, 608-266-2702
Compliance history
Lisa Imhof, lisa.imhof@dhs.wisconsin.gov, 608-266-2702
Also use the provider search tool to learn about compliance history for providers.
Medication and drug administration
Douglas Englebert, douglas.englebert@dhs.wisconsin.gov, 608-266-5388 or 262-538-0271
Medicaid certification process
Questions related to reimbursement/provider services, call 800-947-9627
Visit the ForwardHealth website.
Nurse consultant (personal care rule compliance and interpretation)
Kelly Nelson, kelly.nelson@dhs.wisconsin.gov, 920-428-0096