The whole journey
From first call to first shift
Consumer Directed Services has more steps than most families expect, and nobody warns them. So here is the whole path, in order, with what we do and what is yours to do. Most people are further along than they think.
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01
Check that CDS fits
You need MO HealthNet (Missouri Medicaid), a need for help with daily living, and the ability to direct your own care. Our two-minute eligibility check asks the five questions that matter, or call and we will do it with you on the phone.
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02
Referral and state assessment
We refer you to the state, or you can refer yourself. The state then contacts you to arrange an assessment of what help you need. The result is your plan of care: the tasks your caregiver is paid for and the number of authorized hours. If you are switching from another CDS provider, there is no new assessment, your authorization moves with you.
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03
Enroll with us
One signing packet, done on your phone or on paper, whichever you prefer. It covers your rights, your responsibilities as the employer, and how the program works. This is also where we schedule everything below, so you always know what is next.
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04
Become an employer, on paper
In CDS your caregiver works for you, not for us and not for the state. On paper that takes two tax numbers, a federal EIN and a Missouri tax ID, and we do both enrollments for you as part of signing up. Your part is a few signatures. The employer setup page explains what happens and why it protects you.
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05
Choose your caregiver
Most people already know who they want: an adult child, a relative, a friend, the neighbor who already helps. A spouse or legal guardian cannot be paid through the program. Who can and cannot be your paid caregiver covers the rules. If you don’t have someone yet, our private caregiver directory lets you see local caregivers’ profiles and ask to meet the ones you like. Meeting someone doesn’t commit you or them. Every caregiver goes through the state’s background screening, which we run, and families only see caregivers whose required screening is complete.
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06
Orient your attendant
Missouri requires that you, as the employer, orient your caregiver on eight specific topics, and requires us to prepare you to do it. It sounds formal; it is one honest conversation with a checklist, and we help. The orientation page has all eight topics in plain terms and a printable checklist.
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07
EVV setup, before the first shift
Missouri requires electronic visit verification: your caregiver clocks in and out either with the mobile app or by calling from your home phone. Our onboarding specialist calls before the first shift to set this up and do a practice run, because a clean first week of clock-ins is what makes payday uneventful.
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08
First shift, and life after
Your caregiver works the schedule you set within your authorized hours, and we run payroll, tax withholding and filings as your appointed agent. You will hear from us every month with a quick check-in call, and once a year we visit in person. Those two touches are required by the program, and they are also how problems get caught while they are small.
Honest timing
How long does this take?
The steps we control move in days. The state assessment moves at the state's pace, which varies by county and season. What we promise: you will never be the one waiting on us, and you will always know which step you are on.