Edison Home Health Care
What is CDPAP?
The Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program (CDPAP) allows consumers in need of Medicaid home care to direct their own care by hiring a personal assistant (PA) of their choice. The CDPAP program allows the consumer, or their chosen representative, to select a family member, friend, or neighbor for this role.
A PA will assist and offer support in day-to-day functions, commonly called activities of daily living (ADL’s). These services provided by the PA may include light housekeeping, preparing meals, help with personal hygiene, scheduling appointments, or other tasks that allow the patient to go about their life comfortably in their own home.
PAs are not required to be certified or have a special caregiving license to qualify as a CDPAP PA. The consumer, or the consumer’s representative, will direct and train the PA in specific tasks and caring methods needed for the individual patient.
Almost anyone can qualify to become a caregiver in the CDPAP program, however there are a few requirements and restrictions in place that must be met. Most adult family members can qualify to be a PA, although the spouse of the consumer cannot be designated to be the PA. Also, for a child of a consumer to qualify, he or she must be over the age of 21.
Along with the boundaries regarding some family members becoming a PA, the following is a list of requirements prospective candidates must meet in order to qualify as a PA.
Personal Assistants:
• Cannot be the consumer’s designated representative.
• Must obtain and pass a Pre-Employment Physical.
• Must provide a copy of valid driver’s license and proof of insurance if providing transportation to the patient.
• Must agree to follow verbal and written care plan for the patient.
• Need to fill out and submit a W-4 Form for tax purposes and an I-9 form to verify identity and show proof of eligibility to obtain employment in the U.S.
The CDPAP application process can be found on cdpap
