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Colorado Consumer Directed Attendant Support Services (CDASS) Program
Overview of Consumer Directed Attendant Support Services
The CDASS Program is based on the Cash and Counseling model in which the individual receiving care is responsible for the direction of their care. This is also referred to as self-direction or participant directed care. It is a Medicaid program designed for the disabled and elderly that require nursing home level care but wish to receive that care outside of a residential facility.
Under the CDASS program, participants are allocated the funds that would otherwise go towards paying a home health provider. Participants are then responsible for hiring their own personal care providers. Family members, including the adult children, can be hired and receive payment for being caregivers. The rules regarding hiring a spouse to provide care are somewhat more restrictive. Spouses can receive payment only if it is determined that the care they provide is significantly above and beyond that which a spouse would ordinarily provide to a disabled individual.
Despite the Cash and Counseling name, funds are not provided directly to program participants. Instead, Colorado makes use of a financial intermediary called Public Partnerships Colorado (PPL CO) who makes payments to the care providers approved by the program participant.
Despite the Cash and Counseling name, funds are not provided directly to program participants. Instead, Colorado makes use of a financial intermediary called Public Partnerships Colorado (PPL CO) who makes payments to the care providers approved by the program participant.
Qualifications for Consumer Directed Attendant Support Services
To be eligible for the CDASS program, seniors must be receiving services under, or qualified for Colorado’s Elderly, Blind or Disabled waiver. To qualify for this waiver, one needs to qualify for Medicaid which is a complicated process involving a review of a family’s income, assets and asset transfers as far back as 5 years. Rules change frequently and there are many exceptions, but typically monthly income cannot exceed $2,000 and “countable asset” limits, excluding the car and home, range from $2,000 to $8,000.
Not qualifying for Medicaid can be devastating to the comfort of an individual, their family’s finances and even their health. For these reasons, Medicaid planners exist to ensure families have the best chance of acceptance into the program. With care costing $1000’s / month, there is a strong incentive to use a Medicaid Planner. Find assistance applying for Medicaid.
Not qualifying for Medicaid can be devastating to the comfort of an individual, their family’s finances and even their health. For these reasons, Medicaid planners exist to ensure families have the best chance of acceptance into the program. With care costing $1000’s / month, there is a strong incentive to use a Medicaid Planner. Find assistance applying for Medicaid.
Benefits of Consumer Directed Attendant Support Services
Under the CDASS program, personal care / attendant care services including assistance with any of the activities of daily living are covered as well as homemaker services, such as housekeeping, grocery shopping and meal preparation.
How to Apply for Consumer Directed Attendant Support Services
This program is available statewide. Applications are managed by county Medicaid agencies. Click here to find your county contact information. Very detailed information regarding this program can be found in this downloadable PDF Training Manual.
Use our Eldercare Financial Resource Locator Tool to find other public and private programs that can help pay for or reduce the costs of long term care for the elderly.
