How To Get CD PAS Service

Q- What is CD PAS?

*NOTE:* On February 1, 2005, DMAS combined the "Elderly & Disabled" waiver with the "CD PAS" waiver naming the combined waivers the new "EDCD Waiver" or "Elderly or Disabled Waiver with Consumer Direction" making the best of both waivers into one. With the new EDCD Waiver there is no longer a 42 hour cap on service hours. You can also combine Agency hours with Consumer Directed hours giving you the best in both previous waivers. You'll receive notice of the hours allotted to you 10 days (???) after your facilitator sends the information to KePro to process.

For more information on Consumer Directed Services go to the Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS) in Richmond. Call the Waiver Services Unit at 804-786-1465 or TDD 800-343-0634 or email dmasinfo@dmas.virginia.gov

A- CD PAS or "Consumer Directed Personal Attendant Service" is a program that is run by both Medicaid (DMAS as EDCD) and the State Department for Rehabilitative Services (DRS).  The PAS program was established to enable persons with disabilities to maintain their own "Independence" by being able to "hire, train, supervise and fire" their own personal caregivers.  The "stakeholder" (patient/client) can bypass Home Health Care Agencies and hire people that are compatible with them and suit their own individual needs or combine agency help. You can hire anyone that you choose with exception of a "parent, stepparent or spouse" a child under 18 years of age, or a recipient's spouse.  Personal attendants "may" now be members of the recipient's family i.e. siblings, aunts, uncles, grand parents, etc.. 

Q- How can I get CD PAS services?

A- If you are (no age limit), elderly or disabled, mentally alert or have a spouse, parent, adult child or guardian who can direct your care if you're incapable and on Medicaid you can apply for the new DMAS EDCD Waiver program or if you are on Medicare or other insurance you can apply for the state DRS CD PAS program.  The state DRS PAS program was set up to keep people from being 'Institutionalized' plus enable them to work without fear of losing their caregivers.  With either program the process is the same to apply for the CD PAS program.

NOTE:  The new DMAS *EDCD* pays for an unlimited amount of hours per week and the state DRS CD PAS can go higher or lower depending on the need and funds available.  On the DRS CD PAS program the average is 33.5 hrs per week per stakeholder.

HOW TO APPLY:  

First you must contact your social worker to set up an interview for a screening process for the DMAS EDCD program and/or contact your local CIL for state DRS CD PAS.  If you don't have a social worker or case manager then you'll need to apply for one.  Your social worker/case manager or CIL will then set up an appointment for an "Intake Screening" at your home with a nurse, usually from the health department. The nurse will determine the amount of hours you are to receive by noting the amount of "skills" that you need.  A "skill" are your ADL's (activities to daily living) or assistance that you require i.e. "bathing, dressing, bowel and bladder care, supervision, cooking, eating, cleaning, washing clothes, wound care, medications, driving to Dr.'s, or anything directly related to keeping you healthy and independent in your own home."  The more "skills" you need, the more hours you may receive.

Next you should be advised that you local CIL (Center for Independent Living) or Service Facilitator (SF) will need to come out to do another "Intake Screening" to finalize the application process and explain to you how to hire, train or fire your caregiver.  The CIL/SF should teach you how to fill out the employee contracts and how to maintain payroll records. 

After the final screening your paperwork will be sent to Richmond to be processed and returned in normally three weeks time.  Upon final approval you can then hire your own caregiver.  Now all this is based on a perfect screening and everyone doing their jobs correctly.  Don't be afraid to keep on your CIL/SF intake team or caseworker if you feel that too much time has elapsed and you haven't received word as to your status.  Most CIL's/SF's and caseworkers are familiar with the PAS programs now but if they aren't write to DAC and I'll walk you through the process.

The pay rates for PAS caregivers are as follows: *as of July 1, 2007*

DMAS pays $11.14 hr for the N. VA area and $8.60 hr for the rest of the state. This 3% pay increase went into effect July 1, 2007. (N.VA is from Fredericksburg & Prince William County north)

DRS pays $10.82 hr for N. VA and the rates seem to vary (about $7.85hr-$8.35hr) in other portions of the state.

CD PAS caregivers are paid on a 2 week pay cycle and "all" taxes are now withheld. There is a criminal background check done by the DMAS Fiscal Agent, PPL, for the EDCD program and all waivers with consumer direction and anyone with a "felony" record is ineligible for the program as a paid caregiver. I would recommend that you have backup caregivers for those that totally rely upon them and you should also have a backup support plan in place such as a family member, friend, or someone, just in case your caregiver doesn't show up.

NOTE:  I think the PAS pay rate is far to low to attract enough "quality" caregivers into this much needed field of assistance.  Also the pay rates have to much disparity between the N. VA rate and the rest of the state.  A more livable rate of $16hr in N. VA and $13hr for the rest of the state would enhance the quality and number of people wanting to enter the field as a caregiver, along with a good group health insurance plan for caregivers at a very reasonable rate.  Perhaps our representatives will look into this disparity of pay during our next General Assembly in 2008.  (A better solution would be to let the "money follow the person" but our legislators haven't figured out that this would save the sate milions of dollars)

Currently no parents, stepparents or spouses are allowed to be a paid Caregiver. However, cousins, siblings or other relatives are now eligible even if living under the same roof. I hope that I've explained the process for you and now you can apply for PAS services.  Good luck and don't hesitate to write or call should you have any further questions. Thank you.

*NOTE:  

UPDATE
Virginia's Department of Rehabilitative Services (DRS) has increased the  PAS caregiver pay rates from $10.05hr in N. VA to $10.82hr and the rest of the state from $7hr (can you believe that?) to $8.30hr? (still terribly low). So those receiving DRS PAS don't forget to increase your pay at the begining of the next pay cycle. Although the pay is still 10 years behind the curb it's a start and don't forget, 'Direct Deposit' is now an option for both PAS program caregivers. I just wonder what our representatives are going to do in the very near future when they require a caregiver and find NONE available??? Remember legislators you heard this long ago from DAC........ Oh, there's also a new address for DRS caregivers to send their timesheets. Please start mailing timesheets to:

Department of Rehabilitate Services (DRS)
8004 Franklin Farms Drive
Richmond, Virginia 23229

Timesheets for DMAS waivers now go to PPL:

NOTE: As of September 28, 2006, PPL took over all Fiscal Agent responsibilities for DMAS payroll. Now you must fax your "new" employee kit to PPL, along with timesheets. You can obtain timesheets and employee kits from PPL by calling:
1-800-360-5899 or 1-866-259-3009 or in Richmond 804-200-4001.  Timesheets must be faxed to 1-888-564-1532
For Administrative Fax (new employee paks) 1-866-709-3319 and I would follow up with a call to Richmond to avoid possible pay delays.

Click on the PPL link below to access user site. Your user name is: vaclient  Password is: pcgva67

DRS TIMESHEETS MAILED HERE:

Department of Rehabilitate Services (DRS)
8004 Franklin Farms Drive
Richmond, Virginia 23229

Should you have any questions about the CD PAS or IFDDS programs please call the DMAS Helpline at 804-786-6273 in the Richmond area or toll free 800-552-8627, for DRS info call 800-552-5019.

DRS PAYROLL QUESTIONS    800-813-2598
DMAS PAYROLL QUESTIONS call PPL 866-259-3009 or 800-360-5899

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Keith Kessler  -------  Founder of *DAC*    
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