** This article has been revised from its original version which was published on April 19, 2019.

Yes, you can get paid through Medicaid as a family caregiver to your loved one through a program called Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program (CDPAP). This Medicaid-sponsored plan empowers you to choose, evaluate, and hire a friend or family member as your caregiver. Elder law attorneys and Medicaid planning attorneys in New York are able to explain how it all works.

Getting Care from Someone You Love and Trust

You must be a qualified Medicaid recipient, have an ongoing medical condition, need or require assistance with activities of daily living, and be able to “self-direct” care or appoint someone as your caregiver.

The person providing the care can’t be a spouse, legally allowed to work in the US, and be able to administer regular, skilled, and custodial services. One of the benefits of the CDPAP program is that it enables patients or their designated representatives to allow family or friends to get paid to provide care at home.

Caregiving Through Home Health Agencies and Private Vendors

In the past, when someone required Medicaid home care health services or already had services provided, it was usually through health agencies or private vendors. They would make most of the pertinent decisions regarding the patient’s care, including selecting aides providing the service, scheduling when these aides would come, and providing aides with the necessary training.

According to CDPAP guidelines, either the applicant or the one designated to supervise the applicant’s care at home, their “designated representative” (DR), would make the healthcare decisions and bear all responsibilities.

Choosing Your Caregiver

You or your DR can decide who the aide or personal assistant will be and what schedule will work for both of you. Either of you can determine which services will be provided by the CDPAP personal assistant. You or the DR are responsible for finding the potential personal assistant candidate and having them go through the application process.

Although you can choose nearly anyone you want as the personal assistant, you can’t just rely on some pre-organized list of candidates. It’s your responsibility, or the DR’s, to make sure training is provided to the potential caregiver.

Besides being able to decide who’s hired to provide home health care, you are also responsible for monitoring them and, if need be, terminating them as the caregiver or personal assistant.

These actions can’t be implemented by an insurance company or government agency without authorization by your or your DR. Remember that, without CDPAP, all of those decisions may be decided by the health care providers and home care agencies.

Higher Quality Health Care

CDPAP aides may do more for you than the classic Medicaid home care aides who are limited in administering tasks and medications. CDPAP attendants can do more, such as administering oxygen and injecting insulin.

One of the goals of CDPAP is to make home health care more efficient and enjoyable for the patient. Medicaid believes when you or your DR call the shots, there will be less turnover on the personal assistants providing care, translating into overall better health care and avoiding the need for a nursing home.

When choosing friends or family caregivers for Medicaid home care, it’s important to consult with and retain experienced elder law and Medicaid planning attorneys in New York. The knowledgeable and compassionate team at Russo Law Group, P.C., provides professional services and advice regarding long-term care and Medicaid planning. Take advantage of our comprehensive website as well as our free seminars and webinars to learn more about how Russo Law Group, P.C. provides peace of mind. Please contact our law firm to speak with one of our experienced elder law attorneys today at 1 (800) 680-1717.