CDR’s Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program (CDPAP) isn’t just for Medicaid recipients who require personal care anymore. CDR recently started offering a CDPAP private pay option for people who are in need of personal care services. This option is for people who would prefer a consumer directed approach to their personal care or the care of their loved one and have the means to pay for these services out of pocket.

You may ask why people would choose to use a fiscal intermediary (an agency) when they are ale to privately pay for consumer directed personal care services. Why not privately pay for attendant services without using a fiscal intermediary? Can’t I just pay someone under the table to meet my needs? Isn’t using and agency expensive?

The thought of being an “employer” can seem overwhelming to those considering hiring privately to meet their personal care needs. Where do you begin? What are you responsible for? What if your attendant is injured while working in your home? What if you have to discipline your attendant? The benefits of using CDR’s private pay option are worth thinking about.

Many people privately pay someone they know $10 or $12 an hour under the table and hope for the best. In many cases I’m sure this arrangement works out just fine. However, some people may be looking to offer more to the individuals with whom they are entrusting their personal care. Or perhaps people are just looking for some guidance and fewer headaches regarding the responsibilities of being a supervisor.

CDR can take most of the employment related headaches out of the equation. Private pay CDPAP consumers (or a designated other on the consumer’s behalf) who choose to use CDR as a fiscal intermediary can have all the benefits of directing their own care AND offering their attendant(s) benefits including low cost health insurance, sick and vacation accruals and the option to participate in a 401k plan. CDR will handle billing consumers for services, attendant payroll, all employment related insurances and maintaining employee records. In addition, consumers, or the designated other, are trained and given ongoing support on the various aspects of being a supervisor.

Is private pay CDPAP for everyone? Absolutely not! Many individuals with disabilities have low or fixed incomes and cannot afford to pay for such services out of pocket. (Many of these individuals would qualify for Medicaid and be eligible for CDPAP in that way). However, based on inquiries I receive on a weekly basis there is a need for a private pay option for people. Other people might be interested in using CDR’s new trust to shelter their income and have Medicaid pay for their attendant services.

If you or someone you know is interested in learning more about private pay CDPAP or Medicaid trust, please call me at (585) 546-7510 or click on my name above and send an email. I am happy to help!