When we fall ill or are getting older, most of us want to stay in our communities instead of moving to a nursing home or long-term care facility. In fact, the CDC reports that a full 93% of older adults surveyed responded that aging in place, the term for staying in your home community as you get older, is an important goal for them. You may have a family member or someone you trust who is already providing unpaid care at home. But did you know that it’s possible to have that person be compensated for their time and efforts by the State? Read on to learn more about how the New York CDPAP Program can change the lives of families receiving/providing in-home caregiving.
What is CDPAP?
Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program (CDPAP) is a Medicaid-funded program that allows New Yorkers who need long-term home care to exercise greater control over their care needs. Those in need of care (or their proxies) can recruit their own caregivers (known as Personal Assistants) who they train and direct. This can greatly benefit both the person receiving care and their family, as it allows the individual to hire family members, friends, or anyone they trust and feel comfortable with. Recipients of care are given the power to choose a personal assistant of their choice, and caregivers who were previously unpaid can now receive compensation for their valuable caregiving time. If you’d like to speak with a representative to learn more, call 929-425-8880 or email intake@truecareny.com.
Who is CDPAP For?
CDPAP can be a great option for people who have a stable medical illness or physical disability and require assistance with activities on a daily basis. One must be self-directing or have a representative that is able to manage care as per the program’s requirements.
What Are The Main Eligibility Requirements For CDPAP ?
To qualify for CDPAP, you must be a resident of New York State and meet these criteria:
You must have Medicaid or a Managed Long Term Care (MLTC).
Typically CDPAP participants are enrolled in Managed Long-Term Care plans under Medicaid that cover CDPAP benefits. If you don’t have Medicaid or a MLTC, we can help guide you through the enrollment process.
You must require home care as determined by a healthcare provider such as your primary care physician. We can connect you with a provider to help you to determine your eligibility if you don’t already have a primary care doctor.
You must be self-directing, meaning that you are able to instruct, train, and make safe decisions about your care, or you must have a representative that can direct your care.
How Does CDPAP Work?
The New York State CDPAP program is a Medicaid-funded program that allows eligible individuals to receive home care services from a caregiver of their choice. Individuals who participate in CDPAP are responsible for hiring, training, and dismissing their own caregivers as they see fit. These caregivers are known as Personal Assistants and are usually close friends, family members, or other trusted adults in the participant’s life.
The NYS CDPAP program works by matching the participant with a Managed Long Term Care (MLTC) health plan. Once they’re covered, the participant and their chosen caregiver come as a team to the home care agency (such as True Care), and the caregiver is hired as an employee of the agency (as a Personal Assistant, PA). From then on, the PA carries out care duties as needed by the CDPAP participant.
The program covers personal care services in your home. CDPAP Personal Assistants can help with a wide array of tasks including bathing and dressing, meal prep and feeding assistance, toileting care, social and recreational engagement, and more.
While CDPAP does not cover any medical costs, it does cover most non-medical expenses associated with providing care. Depending on the circumstances, these expenses could include things like transportation to appointments or paying for a caregiver’s wages.
How Can True Care Help?
A member of the True Care team is standing by to help you apply for the Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program (CDPAP) through New York State.
Our team of experts can help you apply for CDPAP if you have a health condition that makes it difficult to perform the basic Activities of Daily Living without assistance, and a family member or other loved one is willing and able to provide the care you need.
What Are The Benefits Of CDPAP?
At True Care, enrolling in CDPAP comes with many benefits:
You will have access to comprehensive enrollment support that walks you through the process of signing up for CDPAP step by step
You pay nothing out-of-pocket for your in-home care
While you create your own plan of care, you will have access to a team of dedicated professionals who can help answer home care questions
You can hire your family members and other loved ones to care for you, work they may have already been doing for free. Hiring loved ones to assist with your care can deepen and strengthen relationships, and help ensure that you have the most dedicated care team possible in your corner.
CDPAP For People With Disabilities
Consumer Eligibility Criteria:
The New York State CDPAP program provides assistance for people with disabilities to live in their own homes and communities. The program is available to people of all ages who have a physical or mental disability that makes it difficult to live without assistance or supervision, and need help with daily activities like bathing, dressing, eating, and performing self-care tasks.
In order to qualify for the program, you should already have or be eligible to receive Medicaid and meet certain medical criteria, or have an insurance plan that includes Managed Long Term Care (MLTC). If you meet the requirements, you can apply for CDPAP by contacting your local True Care office directly.
To qualify for CDPAP, you must be a resident of New York State and meet these criteria:
You must have Medicaid or a Managed Long Term Care (MLTC).
Typically CDPAP participants are enrolled in Managed Long-Term Care plans under Medicaid that cover CDPAP benefits. If you don’t have Medicaid or a MLTC, we can help guide you through the enrollment process.
You must require home care as determined by a healthcare provider such as your primary care physician. We can connect you with a provider to help you to determine your eligibility if you don’t already have a primary care doctor.
You must be self-directing, meaning that you are able to instruct, train, and make safe decisions about your care, or you must have a representative that can direct your care.
There may be additional criteria that you have to meet in order to qualify for CDPAP. However, if you meet the criteria above, there is a good chance that you are eligible to enroll. True Care is here to guide you through the entire enrollment process. We’ll track the progress of your application and notify you ahead of time about any additional steps you may have to complete.
If you have questions about your eligibility for CDPAP, reach out to True Care today for assistance! Our representatives are here to help seven days a week.
The CDPAP Enrollment Process
True Care understands that the application process can be a bit confusing, that’s why we'll walk you through it step by step. We'll also help make sure that your application gets submitted on time so that it can be processed quickly!
Introductory Call
As a first step in the enrollment process, True Care will reach out to you via phone to conduct an Introductory Call.
During this call, we will thoroughly explain the rest of the process and take the time to answer any questions you have about the CDPAP Program and/or True Care. Just as important, we will take the time to get to know you and understand your needs so we can help you get the most out of your CDPAP experience.
In-home Assessment
Following the Intro Call, the person who wishes to receive care will be assessed by a New York State Nurse to determine whether they need home care, and what type of services they need.
The State Nurse will determine the scope, approved hours, and types of services the CDPAP recipient will receive.
Complete Forms and Paperwork
If you are transferring from another health plan or service, some forms may need to be completed in order to approve the CDPAP application. These include the Physician’s Order form (DOH Form) from your doctor if you are transferring from another service (e.g. PCA to CDPAP), and the PCP Transfer Form if you are switching health plans in order to participate in CDPAP.
The NYIA (New York Independent Assessor) completes their own medical forms.
Approval and Authorization of Care
After the state evaluations have been completed and the prospect has been deemed eligible for Long Term Care, a MLTC (Managed Long Term Care Plan/Insurance) has to be selected. Ultimately, the MLTC will authorize the hours already determined by the state.
True Care remains in contact with Medicaid and your insurance representatives so you don’t have to. As we receive updates on your case, we will relay them to you.
Personal Assistant Registration
Your caregiver under CDPAP is known in the program as your Personal Assistant (PA). They will become an employee of True Care and get regular paychecks for performing the care you need.
Before care can begin, your PA will need to register with True Care and complete onboarding paperwork in order to become a regular employee. Registration with True Care is the last and final step. All PAs should be 18+, authorized to work in the US, and medically compliant before services can be rendered.
Should you need assistance with the paperwork, True Care is happy to send a knowledgeable intake representative to your house to help you complete your forms for the intake process.
Start of Care
The time it takes to complete the process of enrolling in CDPAP can take anywhere from several days to several months. True Care works with you to ensure that the process goes smoothly and that you’re able to start receiving care as soon as possible.
Once the process has been completed, you and your PA are ready to work together carrying out a care plan that meets your needs. You will train your PA how best to care for you, and dismiss them as you see fit.
Book your free consultation
Please fill out the following form to request a free consultation with our team. We look forward to discussing your needs and finding the best combination of services for you.
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