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Consumer Directed Care

Care at home, on your terms

Self-direction lets people who are aging, living with a disability, or managing a chronic illness get care at their own home. You choose who provides your support, and where and when you receive it. If that sounds better than an agency or moving into a facility, we agree.

Enroll over the phone Check my eligibility
An older gentleman relaxed and comfortable in his favorite chair at home

How it works

Four steps to get started

Where you begin depends on how far along you already are. Most people are further than they think.

  1. 1

    Learn about self-direction

    This is complicated, and we know it. Self-direction lets you stay in your own home and community, supported by caregivers you already know and trust, perhaps a family member or a friend who is helping out already. You get far more choice and control than with an agency or a nursing home.

  2. 2

    Enroll in Medicaid

    If you are not already on Medicaid, this is the first step. Medicaid is healthcare funded by federal and state government, and it pays for care for people on a low income and those with special healthcare needs.

  3. 3

    Enroll in a Home and Community Based Services program

    Once you have Medicaid, the next step is joining the Consumer Directed Services program. You can call the state and refer yourself, or we can do it for you. Answer a few quick questions so we can confirm your eligibility and we will take care of the rest.

  4. 4

    Enroll with us, and tell us who you want to hire

    After your referral, the state will call you to arrange your assessment if you are new to the program, or to confirm the switch if you are moving to us from another provider. When you sign up, we help set you up as your caregiver’s employer.

No cost to you

You may be eligible

If you have Medicaid, you are likely eligible. CDS is free to all Medicaid participants and there is no cost to take part.

Prefer to talk? Call 417-218-2888, Monday to Friday, 9am to 4pm.

We will call you back. We never ask for a Social Security number on this form, and you should never send one by email or text.

What if I don't have anyone to be my caregiver?

That is not a problem, and it is a common question. We keep our own list of people looking for caregiving work across all 27 counties we serve, and we introduce you to someone near you. (That list is for caregivers seeking work, so it is not something you join — you just ask us and we do the matching.)

The list is not something you browse. We match on your county, the hours you need and the kind of help you are looking for, then we make the introduction. You still choose who you hire, and you can say no.

Ask us to find someone

Questions

Frequently asked questions

Still unsure? Call 417-218-2888 and a real person will answer.

Who qualifies for the CDS program?+
  • Are 18 or older
  • Have active Missouri Medicaid
  • Need help with daily activities like bathing, dressing, meals or mobility
  • Live in your own home, not in a nursing home
Can I choose a family member as my caregiver?+

Yes. You can choose a trusted family member or friend. Legal guardians and spouses cannot be paid caregivers through the program.

How much does the caregiver get paid?+

$15.00 per hour, paid weekly by direct deposit or pay card. The pay week runs Sunday to Saturday and payday is the following Thursday.

What kind of help can a caregiver give?+
  • Bathing, dressing, grooming
  • Meal preparation and feeding
  • Light housekeeping and laundry
  • Medication reminders
  • Errands and grocery shopping
Who pays the caregiver?+

Medicaid funds the care. We handle the paperwork, payroll, taxes and background checks. You direct the care and we take care of the rest.

Already in CDS elsewhere

Switching to Caring Companions

Already enrolled in the CDS program with another provider and thinking about moving? We would be glad to have you. Switching does not interrupt your care, and we guide you through every step.

Or call 417-218-2888, toll free 866-863-5151, and we will walk you through it on the phone.

Call 417-218-2888 Am I eligible?