Personal Assistant Services in Billings, MT

Define an assignment candidates can quote

Give each candidate the same description: tasks, pickup locations, deadlines, and the result you expect. For scheduling, name the appointments they may book and the changes that need approval. For household coordination, specify whether they should arrange service visits, meet workers at your home, or send progress reports.

Choose remote support for calls, email, research, and shared-calendar work. Request in-person support for shopping, pickups, and home access. If you need both, ask the candidate to explain how they bill each part. Start with a defined assignment before committing to recurring hours.

Compare the complete assignment cost

Request an hourly rate or fixed price, the booking minimum, and travel and waiting charges. Ask how the assistant bills checkout lines, appointment delays, preliminary calls, and cancellations. For recurring support, agree on unused hours and approval for extra work.

Set a purchase allowance, substitution rules, and a threshold for approval. Require receipts and specify who handles returns. Keep assistant pay separate from groceries, parking, and other purchases. Compare written quotes for the same assignment so you can see what each candidate includes.

Plan downtown stops and vehicle use

The City lists cumulative downtown meter charges of $1.50 for one hour, $3 for two hours, $6 for three hours, and $9.50 for the maximum four-hour stay. All city meters accept PayByPhone. When your assistant uses your vehicle, have them enter its exact plate number, meter location, and stall number. [1]

For a longer visit, consider a city garage. The City lists Park 1 at 2912 3rd Ave N, Park 2 at 2651 1st Ave N, Park 3 at 210 N 27th St, and Empire Garage at 11 N Broadway. It lists 24/7 opening and a $1.25 hourly rate for each. Hourly users pay by credit card or text to pay; the garages do not accept cash, checks, or American Express. [2]

Choose a parking location with the destination and carrying distance in mind. Agree on reimbursement and receipt handling before departure. Specify whether the assistant will drive you, use your vehicle, or collect items in their own vehicle, and ask what insurance covers that assignment.

Separate household help from personal care

For bathing, dressing, or mobility help, describe the assistance you need and ask a care provider about assessment, staffing, and task limits. Keep appointment booking and shopping on a separate list so you can decide which work to delegate to an assistant.

In its Fall 2024 newsletter, Montana DPHHS described Medicaid Community First Choice and Personal Assistance Services as supporting tasks including bathing, dressing, meal preparation, medication assistance, mobility, light housekeeping, and grocery shopping. That historical description listed Medicaid eligibility, a health condition limiting daily activities, and authorization and screening; it also listed a level-of-care determination for Community First Choice. Confirm current eligibility and covered tasks with DPHHS or a participating provider before planning care around these programs. [5]

The same Fall 2024 description outlined self-directed care, where participants or representatives hire and manage attendants, and agency-based care, where providers hire and train attendants with nurse supervision. It excluded home repairs, financial management, and pet care. Use those descriptions to prepare questions, then confirm current delivery options and exclusions before arranging services. [5]

Set access limits and review the work

Ask who will perform the assignment, how the provider screens that person, and what insurance applies to home visits. Agree on key handling, confidentiality, and calendar permissions. Name one person who can approve purchases or schedule changes.

Request a completion note with finished tasks, unresolved items, receipts, and time used. For appointment support, define where the assistant meets you and whether they stay through the visit. Review accuracy, communication, and expenses after the first assignment before expanding the work.

Downtown meter cost by length of stay

Choose support for the assignment

Your hiring checklist

1. Write the tasks, locations, deadlines, and approval contact.
2. Request rates, booking minimums, travel billing, and cancellation terms.
3. Set purchase limits, substitution rules, and receipt requirements.
4. Ask who will perform the work and about screening and relevant insurance.
5. Specify vehicle use, parking reimbursement, and appointment waiting duties.
6. Agree on calendar permissions, key handling, and confidentiality.
7. Review the first assignment before arranging recurring support.

Frequently Asked Questions

How should I compare assistant quotes?

Give candidates the same task list and compare the labor charge, minimum booking, travel and waiting time, cancellation terms, and purchase reimbursement. Ask each candidate to price the whole assignment and explain which changes would require approval.

Can an assistant accompany me on MET Plus?

Tell the dispatcher if a Personal Care Attendant will accompany you. Describe mobility equipment and any help needed between the door and vehicle. Schedule your return trip in advance, and agree with your assistant on meeting points and waiting duties. [3]

Does MET Plus provide assistance inside my home?

Drivers do not enter private homes or carry passengers up or down steps. You may request door-to-door assistance, but barriers such as stairs, snow, or ice can prevent it. Arrange separate help if you need assistance inside your home. [3]

Can Medicaid assistance cover pet care or money management?

DPHHS excluded pet care, financial management, and home repairs from CFC and PAS in its Fall 2024 newsletter description. Confirm current exclusions with DPHHS or a participating provider before budgeting for those tasks. [5]