Opinion ID: 2052163
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Reduction of Suzman's PCA Services

Text: [¶ 25] Suzman argues that the record does not support the Commissioner's reduction of his daytime PCA hours from the ninety-one hours, to which he had been found entitled previously, to the seventy-four hours recommended by Alpha One. However, substantial evidence in the record supports the Commissioner's finding that Suzman's need for daytime PCA hours is seventy-four. Contrary to Suzman's contention, the fact that he had been assessed previously to need ninety-one hours combined with the fact that his disease is progressive does not compel the conclusion that the later assessment is not supported by competent evidence. [¶ 26] There was evidence that Suzman's capacity to engage in daily activities is variable, that is, some days he is able to function on a higher level than on other days. The Alpha One assessor testified to the methodology she employed to conduct the assessment, the factors she considered, and the numerous questions she asked Suzman in reaching her conclusion. The methodology used by Alpha One assessors to determinate the necessary PCA hours is to consider the worst case scenario of the recipient based on the seven days prior to the assessment. [12] The assessor acknowledged that Suzman's symptomatology is variable, but testified that her assessment of seventy-four hours was based on the seven days prior to the assessment, and that the seventy-four-hour figure reflects the maximum number of PCA hours Suzman would need, assuming a worst case scenario. Based on this and other evidence in the record, the Commissioner could have fairly and reasonably found that Suzman required seventy-four daytime PCA hours. [13]