Program
PAS / Primary Home Care: in-home help for adults
Help at home with personal care and housework for adults with full Medicaid. Last reviewed: .
What is it?
Primary Home Care (PHC) is a Medicaid service. An attendant helps you at home with everyday personal care. If you are in a STAR+PLUS health plan, your plan provides the same service under the name Personal Assistance Services (PAS).
Who can get it?
- Adults 18 or older (or emancipated minors).
- With full Medicaid.
- Who need help with everyday activities because of a health problem. A doctor or other health practitioner must sign a form that confirms it.
- Who live at home (not in a hospital, nursing home or assisted living).
What does the attendant help with?
- Bathing, dressing, grooming, hair and skin care, toileting, eating, walking and moving around.
- Reminders to take the medicines you take yourself.
- Meal preparation, cleaning, laundry, shopping and going with you to appointments.
- Attendants do not do nursing tasks such as injections, tubes or giving medicines, and they do not drive you places.
- Up to 50 hours a week, based on your needs.
How do I start?
- If you have a STAR+PLUS health plan: call your plan and ask for a service coordinator.
- If you do not have a health plan: call HHSC at 2-1-1 (or 877-541-7905, option 2) and ask about Primary Home Care.
- You choose the agency. If you want Heavenly Care PHC Services, tell your plan or HHSC.
Source: HHSC Community Care Services Eligibility Handbook (2026 revisions).
Questions?
Call or text us. We will explain the steps to get started.