It seems ideal. You don’t have to wait and figure out who will be a good fit to provide your mother with the personal care she is entitled to through Medicaid long term care. You and your mom will feel safer because it will be someone you chose. You will outline the job and make sure the personal assistant does it. You will be the authority who will ensure payment by the agency (called Fiscal Intermediary in CDPAP). You will have the power to fire, too, if it doesn’t work out.
Maybe it seems like too much work for you or your mother. CDPAP includes compliance with the NYS Department of Health rules. To be the employer involves signing the time sheets electronically or through the phone so that the personal assistant is paid. There are scheduling responsibilities, and you have to have backup personal assistants as well as regular PAs.
The Fiscal Intermediary makes sure that taxes for Medicare, social security, and legal matters are dealt with this and that all the paperwork is properly filed for the PA.
What if you don’t feel like being the boss? You don’t want the responsibility, but you do want mom cared for by someone you like. After all, you are probably handling her bills as well as your own, a job, and a family of your own. Can CDPAP still work for you and your loved one?
There is an option. It’s called choosing a designated representative. This is a responsible adult party such as a spouse, son-in law, or someone else willing to participate in the responsibilities of CDPAP for the consumer. S/he has the authority to direct the care, hire, schedule, and manage time keeping requirements. S/he is the liaison with the Fiscal Intermediary and the MLTC (Managed Long Term Care) Company.
A designated representative can be helpful when there are family members available and allows for a division of labor between the adult children if the senior doesn’t want to manage her care herself. A designated representative is also the appropriate choice when the senior is no longer capable of directing her own care. Obviously, it should be someone who cares about the senior’s welfare and understands her needs and wants. A neighbor, a fellow church member, or a grandchild can serve as a designated representative. There are a few exceptions, however.
Learn about this valuable choice in the CDPAP program by going to this location on the web. https://cdpaanys.org/consumer-resource-center/understanding-cdpa/ It is part of a very helpful Consumer Resource Center https://cdpaanys.org/consumer-resource-center that offers many valuable tips by people who use CDPAP regularly. It’s one of the offerings of Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Association of New York State, CDPAANYS, a state-wide organization that supports consumer, personal assistants, families, and fiscal intermediaries in making CDPAP work well for all.
Want to talk to a caring human about choosing a designated representative and understanding how it works? Caring Professionals are always available to support you, answer questions, and guide you according to your particular situation. That’s why we’re called caring professionals. Our team members have the answers as well as the heart to give you particular attention for your needs.
Contact us here or call us here (718) 621-8189
What is CDPAP? Find out more about CDPAP from our CDPAP Articles and CDPAP Guides
- Apply for CDPAP here
- I want CDPAP but I can’t find a PA
- Read Seven Tips to Improve Communication with Your Parent’s Caregivers
- Learn more – A QUICK GUIDE to joining the CDPAP Program in New York
- What are the The Realities of CDPAP?
- So, You Want to be a Paid Caregiver in the CDPAP Program?
- How does CDPAP help my family?
- Would you like to find out Will I Qualify for CDPAP?
