How to know if Consumer-Directed Home Care is Right for You
…and how to know if it is right for someone you know.
Do you have someone in your life, such as yourself, your family, your friend, a patient, etc., who exhibits signs that they could use some support in a more healthful or fulfilling quality of life?
Perhaps these individuals may have a visible disability or a non-visible disability, or are even experiencing changes in ability through the aging process. You may note symptoms in their health that could be related to an improper diet, not remembering to take medication, not being able to make it to health care visits, etc. They may even express difficulty with practicing Activities of Daily Living (ADL).
The Consumer-Directed program supports individuals in their journey of independence.
Is the answer YES to the
following questions?
If yes, let’s talk about signing you up:
1. Call us at 845-565-1163
2. Email our program manager, Babi Satzman
3. Or fill out the form below
Q: Does the person want to be in control of their own care?
With Consumer-Directed Home Care, the person receiving care is the Consumer and the person providing care is the Personal Assistant. The Consumer acts as the employer and the Personal Assistant is the staff. As the Consumer, you choose who you want to work for you and Independent Home Care, Inc. takes care of the payroll. We are the Fiscal Intermediary; we handle the administrative tasks such as paperwork, insurance companies, payments and corporate compliance.
Q: Does the person have another individual designated to represent their care?
As the Consumer, you may have a Designated Representative; this person acts on your behalf.
Q: Does the person meet the eligibility requirements?
- Is the individual eligible* for or do they possess Medicaid Coverage?
* If you need assistance in determining Medicaid eligibility or for applying, visit our partners at
NY Connects for the No Wrong Door Program - Is the individual self-directing* or do they have someone willing to coordinate care on their behalf?
- Does the person want to return to* or remain in their own home and within their own community?
Am I Eligible for
Consumer-Directed Home Care?
Consumer-Directed Home Care?
Definitions
Consumer Directed Home Care: A Consumer Directed Personal Assistance (CDPA) program.
Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program (CDPAP): Allows individuals needing help with Activities of Daily Living (ADL) to hire someone to help with daily needs. This person can be someone who is already helping them, a friend, a family member, or someone who is in the career of home health or supporting people maintain independence and remain in their home.
Activities of Daily Living (ADL): The daily activities we need to remain independent. Examples: Getting out of bed, preparing meals, medication management, personal care needs, healthcare provider visits, transportation, grocery shopping, etc.
Consumer: The person receiving Home Care services. The Consumer acts as the employer, recruiting, interviewing, hiring, training, managing and, if necessary, terminating the Personal Assistant. The consumer trains the Personal Assistant to perform tasks covered in the Medicaid Insurance Plan.
Personal Assistant (PA): The employee to the Consumer. The Personal Assistant is, in the traditional model, the Home Health Aide.
Designated Representative (DR): The person acting on behalf of the Consumer if the Consumer is not self-directing. This person is appointed to help with the employer process.
Self-Directing: The individual is able to recruit, interview, hire, train, manage and terminate the Personal Assistant. They must be able to perform the tasks as an employer.
Fiscal Intermediary (FI): Independent Home Care is a Fiscal Intermediary. Independent Home Care provides the administrative oversight, including benefits and insurances, the timekeeping system and the financial oversight of taxes and bi-weekly paychecks. The staff at Independent Home Care provide customer service and assistance to the Consumer and the PA, including employment vacancy connections. The Fiscal Intermediary bills the Consumer’s Medicaid Plan for reimbursement of the PA’s paycheck.
Medicaid Managed Care Organization: The Medicaid Insurance Program that the Consumer uses for their insurance coverage.
Traditional Home Care: Licensed programs are commonly known as PCA or HHA. An agency licensed by New York State Department of Health where the agency recruits, trains, credentials and hires the home health aide. Scheduling of which home health aide and availability of the aide is done by the agency. Most skilled nursing tasks are not permitted, including wound care, changing of catheters, tracheotomy care, medication distribution, etc.