CDPAP: What You Need To Know To Get Started

The Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program (CDPAP) offers New York State Medicaid recipients more choice over who provides home care. It lets consumers recruit, hire, and direct their caregivers – including most family members.

CDPAP is a great program for seniors who want to stay in their homes while receiving the necessary medical care. It also saves money for the state by reducing the costs of care when consumers live at home instead of in a residential facility.

Eligibility

CDPAP is a New York State Medicaid initiative that allows consumers to hire personal caregivers and get paid for it. This is an excellent way for elderly and disabled people to receive home care and remain independent.

However, it’s essential to understand the eligibility requirements and know what is CDPAP before you can start hiring a caregiver. This includes knowing who can be a caregiver and what tasks they can do.

Generally, adults over 21 and with disabilities qualify to be CDPAP caregivers. They can also be adult children, parents of disabled individuals, or other designated relatives.

Caregivers are also not required to be medical professionals, but they can do specific medical tasks that a nurse would ordinarily carry out. These include suctioning tracheostomy sites, administering injections, and giving medications.

Assessments

Before a consumer can receive CDPAP services, they must undergo an assessment by a medical professional. This can include a doctor, physician’s assistant, nurse practitioner, or another provider that meets the formal certification requirements.

Once a medical professional has determined that the consumer needs long-term care, they will send a Physician’s Order for Services to the social services district. The social services district will then complete a nursing and social assessment.

A nurse assessor will review the patient’s medical records and perform an exam to determine their physical and mental abilities. This information will create a care plan that fits the individual’s needs.

Once the person is assessed and approved for CDPAP, a case manager will be assigned. The case manager will be responsible for coordinating the process and ensuring that all required documentation is complete. They will then be able to determine whether the patient is eligible for CDPAP and what type of personal assistance services are recommended.

Care Plans

A Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program (CDPAP) is a great way to manage the home care you receive. It allows you to hire a family member or friend as your paid caregiver, who will provide home health aid services on your schedule and be compensated for their work.

The first step is to apply for CDPAP through your local Medicaid office. This process can be intimidating, but Trusted Homecare can help you every step of the way!

Once you have a CDPAP application, it is sent to a nurse assessor. They will complete a social and nursing assessment before approving you for the program.

You must be eligible for Medicaid, and the person you wish to care for must be a New York resident. Applicants must also be willing to make informed choices about their home care and the services they will receive.

A Designated Representative may also be appointed if you are not self-directing but want one. This DR must be a legal guardian, designated relative, or adult over 21 who is able and willing to act on your behalf.

Payment

CDPAP is a home care funding option that enables consumers approved for long-term home health care to hire their assistants. Unlike the traditional approach, this program allows patients to choose their caregivers within their family or community.

It acknowledges the unique value that family members and friends provide for their loved ones, which is why it pays them for their services. This gives the patient more control over their care and allows them to build a strong relationship with their caregivers.

A caregiver does not need to be a medical professional, but they must be at least 18 years old and able to prove that they are legally eligible to work in the United States. They must also complete an initial authorization application and contact their insurance plan to inform them they are interested in CDPAP.

Once the process is completed, a fiscal intermediary (FI) will pay the caregivers for their services. This will cover their wages and benefits.