CDS is a Medicaid-funded program that allows disabled or elderly people in Missouri to hire the caregiver of their choice to help with daily activities. This caregiver, or personal care attendant (PCA), can be a friend, a neighbor, or a family member other than a spouse or legal guardian.

A PCA can help with daily chores or hygiene, including Help with cooking, cleaning the house, doing laundry, or taking medications on time. Assistance with bathing, dressing, using the bathroom, or other personal hygiene tasks. Support on errands or appointments, or general help with mobility.

This service is administered by the Missouri Division of Health and Senior Services (DHSS), and it’s available to eligible adults over the age of 18. The goal of this program is to help participants live independently and choose someone they trust to provide them with care. Participants are responsible for hiring and managing their own attendants.

What this means is that if you need extra assistance in your home, and you qualify for CDS, you may hire your own personal care assistant. The friend or family member you hire will be compensated through Simply Elegant Home Health.

CDS is meant for people who cannot perform daily activities due to physical disabilities or illness. Unfortunately, it does not currently provide care for people with mental conditions like dementia.

Here are the requirements to be eligible for CDS:

• Be a Missouri resident above the age of 18 years.

• Have a physical disability that makes you unable to perform daily activities like meal preparation, bathing, cleaning, etc.

• Require the level of care that might be provided at a nursing home.

• Be able to direct your caregiver and train them according to your needs.

You do not have to be a senior to qualify for CDS, although many program participants happen to fall in the elderly category.

You must be at least 18 years old, eligible for Medicaid, and able to direct your own care. You may also need to have a disability. You can't be eligible to be a caregiver for your spouse.

CDS includes personal care:

• Grooming

• Bathing

• Personal hygiene

• Toilet use

• Mobility

• Taking medications on time

• Cleaning

• Laundry

• Cooking

• Shopping

• Essential transportation

Self-directed services allow the consumer to instruct the caregiver on how to give them the best possible care. Because the consumer knows exactly what they need, this model of care allows them the freedom to hire or fire whomever they choose to suit their needs. The consumer is expected to hire and train their own caregivers to help them perform daily tasks such as laundry, taking medications on time, or cooking. Also, because this is a Medicaid-funded program, the consumer does not need to worry about any medical bills. Provided they meet the program qualifications listed below, this is a 100% free service.

MO HealthNet is Missouri’s Medicaid program that covers qualified medical costs for people that meet specific eligibility requirements. To be eligible for CDS, you must be currently enrolled in MO HealthNet.

Your MO HealthNet eligibility will be dependent on your age, income, and assets. Let’s take a look at these requirements:

• Have a net household income of less than $885 per month if single or widowed.

• Have a net household income of less than $1,198 per month if married.

• Own assets worth less than $2,000 if single.

• Own assets worth less than $4,000 if married.

The monthly income numbers are equal to 85 percent of the Federal Poverty Level guidelines. So, they might change periodically.

Some assets don’t count toward the eligibility requirement numbers. This includes your home if you live there, and the equity value is not more than $585,000. Personal items and your car are also exempt from being counted as assets.

Private pay is a financing option where clients pay directly for in-home care services without relying on government programs like Medicaid.

The cost of private pay care varies depending on the level of care needed, frequency of visits, and geographic location. We offer free consultations to discuss your specific needs and provide a personalized cost estimate.