Caregiver Guide: How To Become A Caregiver

The CDPAP program is a great program that enables patients to select their own caregivers. Understanding the CDPAP caregiver requirements is essential to take part. Patients have the option to enlist friends or family as caregivers or “Personal Assistants” to aid with their daily home care requirements.

This means that family, friends, and loved ones would receive compensation for their valuable care, even though they would probably provide it regardless of the circumstances. The individual can collaborate with a person of their choosing in the comfort of their own home.

If you have an elderly family member like a parent or grandparent who wants you to take care of them as they age, you can use the CDPAP program on this page.

As a caregiver who is compensated, you can guarantee that your loved one receives optimal care from a trusted individual they care about. If you want to participate in this program as a caregiver who gets paid, there are specific steps you must follow. Below is a summary of the process of becoming a paid caregiver.

What steps are required?

The CDPAP Program consists of two primary components. The consumer and the personal assistant. The patient is the consumer in need of care, and they are the one who starts the program—they also serve as the employer of their caregiver. This person will be dear to you, and you will be responsible for their regular care. These are the steps to keep in mind from their perspective.

Requirements for the Consumer when selecting a CDPAP caregiver

·      To be eligible for the CDPAP program, individuals must meet the requirements for Medicaid, which includes being enrolled or willing to enroll in either Medicaid Managed Care or Managed Medicaid Long-Term Care.

·      Next, they must contact their insurance provider to inform them of their desire to enroll in the CDPAP program.

·      Following this, they need to enlist, conduct interviews with, and evaluate potential candidates for their personal assistant(s). This person could be you or other family members that they have confidence in.

·      The customer requests their assistant to register with the chosen financial middleman.

·      They are required to ask their doctor to fill out the Medical Orders for Home Care as mandated by their health plan and provide the required documentation for it (refer to the Physician’s Order form and Medical Request for Home Care).

·      Arrange and anticipate an in-home evaluation done by a licensed nurse—usually, there are two evaluations: one by the state (Maximus) and another by the individual’s health insurance provider.

·      The health plan will inform both the consumer and the fiscal intermediary about the approval of personal assistant services and the approved number of hours per week for work.

·      Once services are authorized, the consumer and fiscal intermediary must wait for the consumer’s health plan to issue an authorization for CDPAP services, which will trigger the start of CDPAP services.

Steps for the Personal Assistant

·      Find a qualified client who is ready to engage your services. If you have a parent or grandparent in need of help with activities, they must employ you for you to be considered for the position.

·      Reach out to the fiscal intermediary chosen by the consumer based on the steps provided.

·      Perform a comprehensive physical examination: You can undergo a standard physical examination with your physician. The test checks that you can physically care for someone and does not have any restrictions that could hinder your ability to do so. It consists of testing for drugs, blood tests, and screening for rubella and rubeola.

·      Finally, you must complete the payroll paperwork.

What credentials are required?

The position of Personal Assistant is available to a diverse range of individuals, however, what criteria must be fulfilled in order to become a professional caregiver?

·      A consumer needs to be ready to employ you.

·      You need to have the legal right to work in the U.S. and be of the appropriate age to work.

·      You must fill out a PA application package (provided by the Fiscal Intermediary)

·      You are required to undergo a pre-employment physical examination to verify your physical capability to aid senior citizens with their everyday tasks.

There are some important considerations to keep in mind regarding what can disqualify you from becoming a PA.

·      You are not allowed to be the consumer’s spouse or proxy/designated representative.

·      You can’t act as the consumer’s parent or legal guardian, except in certain cases.

How to apply for CDPAP?

Signing up for the CDPAP program requires filling out multiple documents. Here is an overview of several typical forms that you might have to fill out.

CDPAP application: This form will request personal details like your medical status and info about your chosen representative if needed.

Health Assessment Form: It may be necessary for you to fill out a Health Assessment Form as well. A healthcare provider will use this form to assess your health status and establish the level of home care services you require. The evaluation might cover inquiries regarding your present health condition, prescribed medications, and therapies.

PCA Timesheet: The PCA Timesheet is a document utilized for monitoring the hours put in by your personal care assistant (PCA). Filling out this form is crucial to guarantee that your PCA receives their payment correctly and promptly.

Plan of Care Form: The document identifies the exact services that your PCA will offer. This document will contain details about the kinds of help you need, like assistance with daily tasks, medication administration, or getting around.

Additional forms required may consist of consent forms, HIPAA release forms, and authorization forms. Carefully examining each document is crucial in order to supply precise and thorough details to guarantee you receive the best quality of care available. If you need assistance with filling out these forms, feel free to contact your nearby Medicaid office or Managed Care Organization (MCO) for help.