CDPAP Home Care – The Ultimate Guide

Introduction to CDPAP Home Care

Consider the following scenario:

Sally Bronson was a caring mother who had worked hard her whole life to provide for her family. A dedicated parent, Sally’s focus had always been to give. Now in her late-80s, she suffered from a number of health complications and disabilites that caused her to require help with activities of daily living. She also required daily insulin shots for her diabetes. Her loving daughter, Michelle, was there as often as possible, but as a parent of three she also had to work full-time to support her own family.

Michelle wanted to get her mother a home health aide (HHA), but she knew that her mother would be reluctant to let a stranger into her home. Additionally, even if she could get her mother to accept a home attendant, the home attendant would not be allowed to administer the daily insulin shots that her mother required.

Then Michelle discovered the Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program (CDPAP), a NY state government sponsored program which allows home care consumers to hire their caregiver of choice – including most family members.

Under the CDPAP program, Michelle was able to get paid to take care of her elderly mother. Since personal assistants are allowed to administer skilled services, Michelle was able to give her mother the daily insulin shots. This allowed Michelle to give her elderly mother the kind of care that only a daughter can provide, without compromising on her financial responsibilities to her own family. 

What is CDPAP?

The Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program (CDPAP) is a New York State Medicaid program that allows consumers to recruit, hire, and direct their own home care workers. One of the highlights of the program is that it allows consumers to hire family members and friends.

What is CDPAS?

Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Services (CDPAS)  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?

There are three important criteria that must be met to be eligible:

1.      You must have Medicaid.

2.      You must require home care.

3.      You must be self-directing, or you must have a representative that can direct your care.

There are other factors that 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: Edison Home Health Care 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.

Applying for CDPAP

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:

1.      Assessment(s) – Most CDPAP applicants must be assessed by a nurse (sometimes more than once) before enrolling.

2.      Consumer Forms – Certain forms are required. See CDPAP Forms for more.

3.      Select your caregiver of choice.

Concerned about all the details and not sure how to apply? The good news is, we’re here to help you every step of the way. So don’t break a sweat trying to decipher all the different parts of the enrollment process. Think of us as your personal “How to enroll in CDPAP” guide. Give us a call and let one of our specialists explain the entire application process and guide you through your enrollment.

Please Note: Edison Home Health Care 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 718-831-2900. A specialist will guide you through the entire enrollment process. Please think of us as your personal “How to enroll in CDPAP” guide.

Please Note: Edison Home Health Care 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. For a complete list of the forms, see our dedicated CDPAP Forms page.

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 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 caregiver’s hourly pay rate and salary may depend on a number of factors.

Get an Instant Pay Quote

Please complete this form and we will send you an instant quote on what your caregiver can get paid:

Let’s Talk

Please contact us to discuss your caregiver’s pay rate at 718-831-2900.  

Allowed Caregivers

Who can provide care under the CDPAP program? Can a family member get paid to be a caregiver in New York under CDPAP?

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?

Great question. The short 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).

CDPAP consumers are people who need home care and are often elderly or have a disability. An elderly parent or a disabled person may often be uncomfortable having a stranger come to their home to provide them with assistance. Being able to hire their child or loved one who will get paid for taking care of them can be a huge relief.

Do you want to hire a paid family caregiver?

The following are answers to some common questions regarding what family members can be hired as paid family caregivers under the CDPAP:

Can someone enrolled in CDPAP choose a family caregiver?

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 who can get paid to care for their parents.

Can spouses get paid to take care of each other?

No. Spouses cannot get paid to care for each other under CDPAP. Please see here.

Can parents get paid for taking care of their children?

It depends. Children age 21 or older can hire their parents who can then get paid to care for their children. Parents cannot get paid to care for children younger than 21. Please see here and here.

Can siblings get paid to care for each other?

Yes. Siblings can hire each other to get paid to care for them.

If you would like to choose a family caregiver, our friendly staff would be happy to explain how they can get paid by the State to care for you. Please give us a call at: 718-831-2900

Certification and Training (Hint: No license or certification is required!)

Are caregivers required to have any license or certification?

Okay, we gave it away. Caregivers are not required to have any license or certification.

Who trains the Personal Assistant?

The consumer or their representative trains their own caregiver.

CDPAP Caregiver Requirements

What required documentation must CDPAP caregivers provide?

The following is a list of the required documentation for your CDPAP caregiver (also known as a personal assistant) at our agency:

Home Care Services Allowed

What types of home care services can CDPAP caregivers provide?

The types of care that CDPAP caregivers 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. Please see here and here. 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 NY State government covers the costs of home care for consumers that are both financially and clinically eligible. This government sponsored home care can come in different forms. Traditional home care is provided by a home care agency via home health aides or personal care aides, while CDPAP home care allows the consumer to hire their caregiver of choice.

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.

Where is the CDPAP Program available?

The CDPAP Program is available throughout all 62 Counties of New York State. And, wherever you live in New York State, we at Edison Home Health Care service your area. So, if you live in New York and would like to learn how to have someone get paid by the state to care for you, please give us a call at 718-831-2900.

If you live in a different state, we encourage you to contact your local government’s department of social services to learn if a similar program is available in your state.

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