Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program (CDPAP) is a New York State Medicaid program which provides care services to patients who are chronically ill or physically disabled, including individuals who are in need of medical help with activities of daily living (ADLs).
In this program, consumers have the freedom to recruit, hire, and direct their own caregivers, be it a family member or friend. They also assume the responsibility of training the caregivers, and if the need arises, terminate the employment of the person.
The assigned caregiver does not need to have a special license or certification upon employment. For the services they offer, they will get paid by the consumer, and the consumer must keep his or her own payroll record.
Requirements of CDPAP:
- Consumer must be Medicaid eligible
- Consumer must require personal assistance with activities of daily living or skilled care
- Consumer must have a stable medical condition
- Consumer must be able to self-direct their own caregiver and care program
CDPAS/CDPAP
CDPAS stands for Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Services (CDPAS) and refers to services that are rendered under the CDPAP program. While the alternative term CDPAS may cause confusion, it is really a reference to the same program.
ELIGIBILITY
Am I eligible for CDPAP?
Three important criteria must be met to be eligible:
- You must have Medicaid.
- You must require home care.
- You must be self-directing, or you must have a representative that can direct your care.
Other factors can potentially affect your eligibility, but if you meet the above criteria, we recommend you give us a call to see if you can enroll.
Please Note: Able Body Homecare Agency is a Fiscal Intermediary for CDPAP. We do not administer the program. We can help you navigate, but application and enrollment for CDPAP must go through your Local Department of Social Services or Medicaid plan.
Do I need to be in a Medicaid Managed Care plan to enroll in the CDPAP program?
Most consumers must be enrolled in some form of Medicaid Managed Care to enroll. The good news is, you may have a choice as to what type of plan you enroll in. If you will be enrolling in Managed Long-Term Care (MLTC), as many consumers must, there are a few different types of MLTC plans to choose from, each offering the consumer their own unique set of benefits. To learn more about the different types of plans, see Managed Long-Term Care (MLTC) Plans.
APPLICATION
Where can I get a CDPAP Application?
If you want to apply for CDPAP and you’re trying to figure out where to start, please know that there are often several steps involved in the application process, and it is not just a matter of filling out a single application form (although, yes, there is a form titled “CDPAP Application”). We break down the process into three components:
- Assessment(s) – Most CDPAP applicants must be assessed by a nurse (sometimes more than once) before enrolling.
- Consumer Forms – Certain forms are required.
- Select your caregiver of choice.
Concerned about all the details? The good news is, we’re here to help you every step of the way. So don’t STRESS trying to decipher all the different parts of the enrollment process. Give us a call and let one of our specialists explain the entire application process and guide you through your enrollment.
Please Note: Able Body Homecare Agency is a Fiscal Intermediary for CDPAP. We do not administer the program. We can help you navigate, but application and enrollment for CDPAP must go through your Local Department of Social Services or Medicaid plan.
PROGRAM ENROLLMENT
Ready to enroll in CDPAP Home Care?
What are you waiting for! Call us now at 888-675-4165. A specialist will guide you through the entire enrollment process.
Please Note: Able Body Homecare Agency is a Fiscal Intermediary for CDPAP. We do not administer the program. We can help you navigate, but application and enrollment for CDPAP must go through your Local Department of Social Services or Medicaid plan.
FORMS
What forms do I need to apply for the CDPAP program?
It really depends on your situation. However, you will certainly need something. We recommend you give us a call so we can give you a clear picture of what you will need. We will even help you with gathering the necessary forms from your doctor and other providers.
HOURS OF CARE
How many hours of home care will I get?
Not all consumers receive the same number of hours. In fact, there are often vast differences between consumers in the number of hours for which they are approved. Usually, your Medicaid Managed Care plan will make the final determination on how many hours you will receive.
CDPAP Pay Rate and Salary
What is the hourly CDPAP pay rate that you compensate workers?
Your hourly pay rate and salary may depend on several factors. Please call us to find how much you may get paid.
ALLOWED CAREGIVERS
Who can provide care under the CDPAP program?
Consumers can hire almost anyone that is legally allowed to work to be their caregiver, including most family members and friends. Those caregivers can then get paid to take care of their family members or friends. However, there are some exceptions. Please keep reading for answers to questions about whether the caregiver can live at the same address and hiring a family caregiver of your choice.
Can a caregiver live at the same address as the consumer?
The answer is, it depends. The government’s policy states as follows: “a consumer-directed personal assistant may include any other adult relative of the consumer who does not reside with the consumer or any other adult relative who resides with the consumer because the amount of care the consumer requires makes such relative’s presence necessary”.
HIRING A FAMILY MEMBER AS A PAID FAMILY CAREGIVER
One of the most appealing aspects of the CDPAP program is the ability to hire a family member as your paid caregiver. This can relieve much of the stress and anxiety that often accompanies receiving care from an agency provided home health aide (HHA) or personal care aide (PCA). Many people are uncomfortable having strangers coming to their home, especially when they find themselves in need of assistance. Do you want to hire a paid family caregiver? The following are answers to some common questions that come up regarding what family members can be hired as paid family caregivers under the CDPAP:
Can someone enrolled in CDPAP choose a family? Can their caregiver get paid to take care of a family member?
Most people can get paid to care for a family member. However, please continue reading as your situation may vary. While in most cases people can get paid for taking care of a family member, there are some exceptions.
Can children get paid to care for their parents?
Yes. Parents can hire their children to be paid family caregivers.
Can spouses get paid to take care of each other?
No. Spouses cannot hire each other as their paid family caregiver. Please see here.
Can parents get paid for taking care of their children?
It depends. Children age 21 or older can choose their parents to be their paid caregiver. Children younger than 21 cannot choose their parents to be their paid caregiver.
Can siblings get paid to care for each other?
Yes. CDPAP home care consumers can choose their siblings to be their paid family caregivers.
CERTIFICATION AND TRAINING (HINT: NO LICENSE OR CERTIFICATION IS REQUIRED!)
Are caregivers required to have any license or certification?
Caregivers are not required to have any license or certification.
Who trains the Personal Assistant?
The consumer or their representative trains their own caregiver.
HOME CARE SERVICES ALLOWED
What types of home care services can Personal Assistants provide?
The types of care that personal assistants can provide are much broader than those that traditional agency provided home health aides (HHAs) and personal care aides (PCAs) are allowed to administer. Unlike home health aides and personal care aides that are only allowed to provide custodial care such as dressing, bathing, and meal preparation, Personal Assistants are also allowed to provide skilled care such as wound care, giving insulin shots, and suctioning tracheostomies. This is potentially a very significant benefit for home care consumers that require ongoing skilled care.
CDPAP and Medicare
Does Medicare cover CDPAP?
Medicare does not cover CDPAP. CDPAP is a Medicaid based program, and you must have Medicaid to enroll. Many consumers have both Medicare and Medicaid. Those consumers can enroll because their Medicaid will provide coverage. If you only have Medicare and do not have Medicaid, we may still be able to help. We have Medicaid specialists that can guide you through the process of applying for Medicaid.
Applying for Medicaid (if you do not yet have Medicaid)
What if I don’t have Medicaid?
CDPAP is a Medicaid based program, and you must have Medicaid to enroll. But don’t be discouraged if you don’t have Medicaid. We have Medicaid specialists that can guide you through the process of applying for Medicaid.
Advantages of CDPAP Home Care VS Traditional Home Care
Are there any advantages that CDPAP home care has as opposed to traditional home care?
The following are some advantages of CDPAP home care VS traditional home care:
1. Close relatives such as children can get paid to provide care.
2. Personal assistants are not required to have special certification or licensing.
3. Personal assistants can administer skilled services such as wound care, giving insulin shots, and suctioning tracheostomies.
CDPAP Fiscal Intermediary (FI):
Able Body Homecare Agency
Able Body Homecare Agency distinguishes itself as one of the premier CDPAP fiscal intermediaries in New York City (NYC). When you work with Able Body Homecare Agency, you will experience great service. We work hard to anticipate your every need as a consumer. Give us a call to experience the Able Body difference.
We have a convenient location in The Bronx. But wherever you are in NY State, we can usually come to you to help complete any necessary paperwork. We work with consumers in NYC.
Please Note: Able Body Homecare Agency is a Fiscal Intermediary for CDPAP. We do not administer the program. We can help you navigate, but application and enrollment for CDPAP must go through your Local Department of Social Services or Medicaid plan.
Able Body Homecare Agency of NY can assist you with the eligibility and qualification process. If you are interested in this service, please contact us at 718-828-1900.