MO HealthNet Consumer Directed Services (CDS)
The Consumer Directed Services (CDS) program, available through Missouri Medicaid, offers personal care attendant (PCA) services tailored for individuals with disabilities aiming to maintain their independence at home. While CDS shares similarities with traditional in-home care services, it is specifically designed for those with physical disabilities and excludes tasks requiring a licensed professional’s expertise. Participants in the CDS program are required to actively participate in their own care management, including the selection and hiring of their care attendants. Broadly, the program covers a variety of personal care and household tasks, such as cleaning, cooking, laundry, and meal planning.
The Missouri Consumer Directed Services program helps people with significant physical disabilities obtain assistance with personal care and daily activities to maintain or increase their independence. This includes services in the home such as meal preparation, cleaning and personal hygiene.
We serve the following counties in Missouri: Clay, Jackson and Platte.
The cost of these services is covered by Missouri Medicaid (MO HealthNet) and is administered by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS). Heavenly Hands Home Health Care, LLC contracts with DHSS to provide case management and payroll services for the program.
The goal is to provide individuals more personal autonomy in determining how best to meet their own care needs. In other words, you have choices – including hiring and supervising your attendant and approving time sheets for payment.
Who is Eligible?
To be eligible for Missouri’s Consumer Directed Services (CDS) program, you must:
- Have active Missouri Medicaid
- Be at least 18 years of age
- Have a physical disability and/or chronic medical condition such as diabetes that interferes with your ability to care for yourself without assistance
- Have the desire and ability to self-direct your own care and employ/train your own attendant
If you are currently receiving CDS services from another agency, you will need to contact DHSS to request a transfer of services to Heavenly Hands Home Health Care.
How Does It Work?
An Independent Living Advocate will help you throughout this process!
- On your first call about the program, we’ll collect basic information such as your name, contact information, Social Security and Medicaid numbers, etc. We’ll also ask you to provide a brief overview of your situation and the services you need.
- You’ll be contacted by the State to develop your plan of care and to schedule a visit in your home for a review of your current medications and personal care assistance needs.
- Heavenly Hands Home Health Care staff will guide you through the process of hiring and supervising your attendant and completing all necessary paperwork.
- After DHSS approves your care plan, an Independent Living Advocate will be assigned and will meet with you to train you about completing and submitting time sheets for your attendant and other program guidelines.
- Your attendant may be a friend or a family member, but cannot be your spouse. The attendant must be at least 18 years of age and pass a background screening.