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MaineCare Consumer Directed Attendant Services (CDAS) Program
Overview of the Consumer Directed Attendant Services Program
CDAS is a Medicaid program (Medicaid in Maine is more commonly referred to as MaineCare). Under the CDAS program, consumers are empowered to select, hire, train and manage their own care providers instead of having the state administrators select caregivers on their behalf. This consumer directed model of care is also referred to as participant direction, self-direction and cash and counseling. To avoid confusion it is worth mentioning that these services are also referred to as personal care attendant (PCA) services, or simply attendant services.
It is the intentional of this program to help individuals remain living in their homes and communities by providing care services in those environment instead of requiring individuals to move into a nursing home residence. As mentioned previously, consumers are able to select their own personal care providers, certain family members are among those who are eligible to be paid caregivers. Parents and spouses cannot be hired however the adult children (of aging parents) can become paid caregivers provided they are not also the legal guardian of the parent.
It is worth noting that Maine also offers a similar program with consumer direction for non-Medicaid eligible seniors called the Home Based Care Program.
It is worth noting that Maine also offers a similar program with consumer direction for non-Medicaid eligible seniors called the Home Based Care Program.
Qualifications for the Consumer Directed Attendant Services Program
To be eligible for the MaineCare CDAS program, participants must be at least 18 years of age and have a permanent and verifiable disability that limits their ability to care for themselves and manage their activities of daily living.
Individuals cannot reside in a hospital, nursing home, intermediate care facility or other private non-medical residential care facility. They also cannot concurrently be receiving care services from other MaineCare programs in which personal care is a provided service.
Finally, they must be financially eligible for MaineCare. Qualifying for MaineCare 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 exemptions, 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 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 qualifying for Medicaid (MaineCare).
Individuals cannot reside in a hospital, nursing home, intermediate care facility or other private non-medical residential care facility. They also cannot concurrently be receiving care services from other MaineCare programs in which personal care is a provided service.
Finally, they must be financially eligible for MaineCare. Qualifying for MaineCare 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 exemptions, 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 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 qualifying for Medicaid (MaineCare).
Benefits / Services of the Consumer Directed Attendant Services Program
The exact services provided under the CDAS program are specific to the participating individual and are determined during enrollment in the program. They are and re-assessed periodically to ensure their needs are continuing to be met. Participants can receive Personal Care Services (PCS) up to a maximum of 28 hours / week. PCS can include any or all of the following:
-Assistance with the activities of daily living such as bathing, personal hygiene, dressing, mobility assistance, eating and medication administration.
-Assistance with the instrumental activities of daily living such as grocery shopping, meal preparation and clean up, housekeeping, laundry and assistance with money management.
-Care Coordination Services / Case Management
-Skills training for the individual hired as a Personal Care Attendant
-Assistance with the activities of daily living such as bathing, personal hygiene, dressing, mobility assistance, eating and medication administration.
-Assistance with the instrumental activities of daily living such as grocery shopping, meal preparation and clean up, housekeeping, laundry and assistance with money management.
-Care Coordination Services / Case Management
-Skills training for the individual hired as a Personal Care Attendant
How to Apply for the Consumer Directed Attendant Services Program
The CDAS Program is run by the Maine Department of Health and Human Services; one should contact their local office. A list of offices and their contact information is available here. One can also read more about the program in the MaineCare benefits manual available here.
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.
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.
