As you may have heard, the CDPAP program is undergoing significant changes that might influence how you provide care in the future.
The following outlines key updates to the program that you may find important.

What is CDPAP (Consumer Directed Personal Assistant Program)?

CDPAP is a Medicaid home care program that allows a self-directing senior or a Designated Representative (DR) to administer and assume responsibility for their own care. The flexibility of this program and the way in which it is administered allows you, the consumer, or your DR to recruit, hire, train, supervise, and, if necessary, dismiss the Personal Assistant (PA). What makes CDPAP unique, is that it promotes independence and gives the consumer additional involvement in the decision-making process for his/her own care.

What are the proposed changes to the Consumer Directed Personal Assistant Program?

On April 20, 2024, Governor Kathy Hochul approved the $237 billion New York State Budget. One of the key changes to this budget will be affecting the CDPAP program. The budget proposal directs there will be a single, State-wide Fiscal Intermediary (“State FI”) that will be selected by the New York State Department of Health (“NYSDOH”) through a procurement process for the CDPAP program.

Why are these changes being proposed?

CDPAP has been one of the fastest growing programs in home care. In just the last 5 years alone, the industry has grown from $2.5 billion to over $9 billion in Medicaid expenditures. More than 328 million hours of home care were provided last year through the CDPAP program. That’s a 262% increase since 2018.

What is the potential impact for the consumers currently receiving CDPAP services in NYS?

The proposed changes could be impactful for consumers currently on the CDPAP program. With the program being as sizeable as it is today and continuing to grow at its current rate, it will be challenging to put into place the new proposal without services being impacted should this go into effect.

What are my alternative options?

Although there are pending changes to the CDPAP program in its current state, there are alternative options to consider.  As a caregiver, transitioning to become a certified Personal Care Aide (PCA). This would allow you to continue caring for your current patient and may be eligible for gaining new benefits and opportunities. As a client, you have the opportunity to transition the support of your services to a licensed home care services agency (LHCSA).

 

Frequently Asked Questions about Elite Choice and Proposed CDPAP Changes

Q: How does this impact Elite Choice and its current consumers?

A: Here at Elite Choice, what we can offer our consumers, which not every Fiscal Intermediary can, is to join our sister company, Elite Home Health Care (Elite HHC). While Elite Choice is the Fiscal Intermediary under the umbrella of the Elite Family, Elite HHC is our licensed home care services agency (LHCSA) that can allow our consumers to have an easy transition in home care services and eliminate having any disruptions to their services.

Q: What does this mean for my role at Elite Choice and for my consumer?

A: Depending on your relationship and living situation with your consumer, we may have a solution for you to remain the caregiver under Elite HHC. If you’d like to learn more about this opportunity, please reach out to the team at Elite HHC by phone 929.499.2225 or by email [email protected].

Q: What if my consumer and I want to switch to traditional home care for continuity of care?

A: You may be eligible for PCA training with our sister company, Elite HHC. They can help you transition smoothly, allowing you to continue caring for your current client while accessing new benefits and opportunities. If you’d like to learn more about this opportunity, please reach out to the team at Elite HHC by phone 929.499.2225 or by email [email protected].

Q: Can I work as a PCA/HHA if I am a PA who is related to my consumer?

A: State regulations allow certain relatives to become the Personal Care Aide, which in this program means being hired by the licensed home care services agency (LHCSA).

These relatives MAY NOT BE the Personal Care Aide: spouse, parent, son, son-in-law, daughter or daughter-in-law. Another relative may be the aide "...if that other relative:

(i) is not residing in the patient's home; or

(ii) is residing in the patient's home because the amount of care required by the patient makes his presence necessary."

For more info see 18 NYCRR § 505.14 (h)(2) by visiting the following website: https://regs.health.ny.gov/volume-c-title-18/content/section-50514-personal-care-services

Q: What should my next steps be as a PA trying to continue servicing and providing continuity of care for my client?

A: If you feel this option is right for you and your consumer, please feel free to further discuss your options with the team at Elite HHC by phone 929.499.2225 or by email [email protected].