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.
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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.
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.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
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?
How much does the caregiver get paid?
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?
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.