The Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program (CDPAP) is a unique Medicaid program that gives the elderly or disabled the ability to manage their own care and make decisions based on their individual needs. Enroll today!
Frequently Asked Questions About the CDPAP
Choose a loved one as your caregiver. They’ll get paid. Everybody wins.
The CDPAP is an amazing program that’s backed by Medicaid, where you can choose an adult in your life to be your caregiver. Learn more about how the CDPAP works by reading through some frequently asked questions, and contact LifeCare Advantage in New York to see if you qualify
Consumer Questions
The Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program is a Medicaid program that puts your care into your hands. You can choose a caregiver to become your CDPAP personal assistant, and they’ll get paid by the government for providing you with care. Instead of finding a home care agency and having a stranger work as your caregiver (who is usually limited in what they can do), you can hire a loved one instead!
Someone who is chronically ill or physically disabled would make a great candidate for the CDPAP. Additionally, someone who’s acting on the CDPAP consumer’s behalf (such as a parent of a child who is chronically ill or physically disabled) can also apply.
Nearly any adult can become a caregiver! Your adult children, friends, nieces, nephews, cousins are all just some examples of who can qualify. In fact, it’s easier to list who cannot become a CDPAP personal care assistant:
• Spouses: There are cultural responsibilities that are tied to marriage, such as taking care of your partner “in sickness and in health.” At this time, spouses cannot become a CDPAP caregiver.
• Children under the age of 21: Parents take on the responsibility for caring for their child, and can’t be compensated for care that’s part of the job responsibility. However, parents can become caregivers for their child with a chronic illness or physical disability once they turn 21.
• Direct Representatives: If you have a DR, they cannot qualify as a caregiver with the CDPAP. You would need to find another qualified individual.
1. You must be a New York resident who’s enrolled in Medicaid.
2. You need evidence that you currently need (or likely will need) assistance with day-to-day activities. This can include (but is not limited to) getting around, caring for yourself, and administering medication.
3. You must be eligible for home care.
4. You’ll need to be enrolled in some type of Medicaid Managed Care — most of the time this is true, but not always. Contact LifeCare Advantage to see if you still qualify, even without Medicaid Managed Care.
5. You need to be self-directing.
There are a lot of regulations involved with the CDPAP. One of the best ways to know if you’re eligible is if you contact LifeCare Advantage to see if you meet the requirements. We’ll be open and honest with you at all times.
Self-directing is a term used by the Department of Health. You’re considered to be self-directing if you meet the following requirements:
• You have the capability to make choices about daily activities and daily living.
Ex: Knowing that you need to practice proper hygiene, bathe, take any necessary medication, and get dressed to start your day.
• You understand the implications of these choices.
Ex: Knowing that if you don’t eat meals throughout the day, you’ll be hungry, or that if you don’t put a sweater on, you’ll be cold.
• You can assume responsibility for these choices.
Ex: You know the difference between right and wrong. Someone who’s not self-directing might take something that doesn’t belong to them, and not know that they did something wrong.
People who are self-directing know what’s needed for their care plan and for their daily routines, they just need help implementing it. People who are not self-directing may have mental or developmental conditions, such as Alzheimer’s disease, that prevent them from making thoughtful and intentional choices.
It does not! All counties in New York accept the CDPAP.
They do. They need to be a legal resident, which means they can be an immigrant and/or someone who does not have citizenship, but they need to prove legal residence in order to become your personal care assistance.
One of the benefits of the CDPAP is that through this program, your personal assistant can do more than a traditional home aide can. Traditional home aides are usually restricted from giving certain medications or performing certain tasks around the home. Personal assistants can act more like nurses in some regards, with responsibilities such as giving you oxygen or helping inject insulin. Home attendant responsibilities can also be taken on — it really depends on what your needs are, and what areas you need help with
Your doctor needs to a send a completed Physician’s Order for Services to the local social services district. A nurse assessor will then determine whether you qualify for CDPAP, and if so, for how much time each week. The DOH states that “the amount, frequency, and duration of services” will be decided upon by this assessor.
No! Medicaid pays your caregiver, and you, as the consumer of the CDPAP, do not have to pay a dime.
You are! You are in charge of hiring them and training them (though a direct representative can help with training in some instances). If you’re not satisfied with their services, you’re also in charge of letting them go and finding a replacement. You’ll also need to find back-up coverage when needed, and maintain payroll records. With the CDPAP, you truly are the boss.
See if you meet the requirements, visit our application page, and contact LifeCare Advantage to begin! We look forward to hearing from you, and are happy to answer any further questions you might have.
Caregiver Questions
You can! That’s more than fine to live with the person you’re caring for.
You do not, and you don’t need prior experience, either. You’ll receive training once you start!
You can, as long as you have legal work authorization. Give us a call if you have questions about your work status, we can try to help!
Yes, but she needs to over the age of 21. If your child is under the age of 21, you cannot be their CDPAP caregiver.
You can! You’re an adult, and you qualify.
The maximum is 60 hours per week, and overtime pay is available. A nurse will assess how much care your patient needs, and they’ll work with your patient to determine your schedule.
You cannot. Spouses cannot become CDPAP caregivers, but another adult could qualify to care for your husband.
