CDPAP and Traditional Home Health Care: Which is the right program for you?
Do you or a loved one need help with activities of daily living? Perhaps you have thought about getting a home health aide or receiving help through Medicaid’s Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program (CDPAP) program but are not sure of the differences between them. We will explain the differences between traditional home health care and CDPAP, so you can determine which program is the best fit for you.
New York State currently has two models of home health care, traditional home health care and the CDPAP program.
Traditional Home Health Care
With traditional home health care, a certified home health aide or personal care aide are employed to care for a patient. The home health aide or personal care aide must undergo a certain amount of hours of training and complete at least 12 inservice hours each year. They can take care of many daily tasks of living including: laundry, house-cleaning, cooking, medication-reminders and companionship care, but cannot give medicine or complete other skilled tasks.
A Licensed Home Care Service Agency (LHCSA) assigns the home health or personal care aide. The LHCSA is also responsible to provide replacement aides and mediate any grievances when the aide is unable to work.
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What is CDPAP?
CDPAP is a NY State Medicaid program, in which a consumer chooses the person to provide their care. The consumer is responsible for recruiting, hiring and directing the person they choose to provide care. If a consumer is unable to appoint someone to care for them, a designated representative can choose someone on their behalf.
The person chosen to provide care is called a personal assistant (PA). The PA can be family, friend or a parent for their child 21 years old and up. A spouse or a designated representative cannot be a personal assistant.
A personal assistant can help with almost anything a consumer needs. This includes giving medication, administering injections and oxygen and wound care. CDPAP PA’s also require no training or continued education.
The CDPAP program is appealing for many as you can be cared for by someone you trust, a familiar face as opposed to a stranger in your home. Many may already be receiving care from a relative without monetary compensation and the CDPAP program helps them to continue to provide care by being paid.
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Getting Started with CDPAP
Enrolling in the CDPAP program is an easy process and Elite Choice can help assist you through each step. First, a doctor must assess the consumer and see that they have a medical need for help. The length and duration of services is then decided by a nurse.
CDPAP PA’s are considered private contractors but must be enrolled in a fiscal intermediary who will process their paychecks. Elite Choice is a Lead fiscal intermediary that operates statewide across NY State. We work with you to help ensure a seamless process to getting the assistance that you need, the way that care is meant to be.
Still not sure about whether CDPAP or a home health aide is the best option for you or want to learn more about Elite Choice’s CDPAP services? Contact us today and we will be happy to help!
Written by: Leah Ganz
Leah Ganz, RN, BSN is the Director of Patient Services at Elite Home Health Care. She has an extensive background in homecare and previously worked in various specialties including pediatrics, pain management and internal medicine. She oversees all patient services across Elite's departments.