CDPAP Program - How it Works and Its Many Home Care Benefits
If you or a family member is searching for a more personalized approach to home care, the CDPAP program might be an excellent choice. Here's an overview of how this program works and how to determine whether it is a good fit for you!
Understanding the Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program (CDPAP)
Not everyone feels comfortable allowing just any home care worker into their home or even working with someone they do not know, including those in need of a significant amount of assistance with everyday tasks. The Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program, or CDPAP, is a specialized Medicare program that allows residents of New York State to select and hire their own home care workers. This option makes it significantly easier to find someone you or your loved one feels as comfortable with as possible. 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.
How Does the Program Work?
CDPAP works by providing a personalized home care option for individuals who prefer to work with someone they trust. This is instead of working with a general home care worker they do not know well. It uses Medicaid funds to pay nearly anyone you choose to provide in-home care for you. This can make it easier for a friend or family member to assist you while earning an income.
Who Qualifies for the CDPAP Program?
The CDPAP program works for individuals with Medicaid. If you do not yet have Medicaid, you will need to sign up prior to starting with CDPAP. However, if you are unfamiliar with the process of signing up for Medicaid, Elite Choice has excellent staff who will asist you every step of teh way. You must also need home care to manage certain aspects of your daily life to qualify for assistance, as well as be capable of directing your home care worker's assistance on your own or having a reliable representative that can do so for you on a regular basis. These simple guidelines help to ensure that individuals that use CDPAP fit its vision for providing a better fit for individuals that want a higher level of input into their home care needs.
To apply for the program, you will need to have an assessment by a nurse. This will determine your current ability level and specific home care needs, as well as submit several forms. Once you have been approved, you will be able to select a home care worker.
Benefits of the CDPAP Program
The CDPAP program is a helpful alternative to other types of in-home care for many New Yorkers. It provides a more personal approach to handling a variety of types of needs. With this option, you can obtain assistance from someone you already trust and genuinely cares about you.
Other benefits of this program include:
- CDPAP empowers patients to handpick their own caregivers.
- Your family member or friends can be your caregiver. The best care comes from someone you trust!
- CDPAP allows for greater flexibility of scheduling and gives the consumer greater level of involvement and control in the day-to-day decision-making process.
- No license requirements needed. This allows the caregiver to perform tasks that would be subject to license restrictions when administered by a classic home health caregiver.
- Elite Choice is the entity that facilitates the process and pays the PA on a weekly basis. Direct Deposit is offered and some PA’s are making over $40K annually.
- In some instances, you can provide care to a family member living in the same home and/or to a pediatric child that requires care.
Is CDPAP A Good Idea For Everyone?
CDPAP can be an excellent choice for consumers who are confident that they have the ability, manpower, and resources to manage adequate care without disrupting daily routines or generating intra-family resentment or disputes. Families who do not fit this description often find that they prefer the reliability, convenience, and professionalism of the traditional home health care route.
Let Elite Choice Help
CDPAP can become an excellent fit for New Yorkers who want a higher level of control over their care. Elite Choice, awarded Lead FI CDPAP provider by NYS DOH. We help consumers and their loved ones in every single county of New York State. Contact us at Elite Choice today to learn more about the benefits of CDPAP.
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.