What is the CDPAP program for seniors?

Oct 18, 2025 3 min read •

senior care medicaid Home Care

Research consistently shows that a majority of seniors prefer to age in place in their own homes, surrounded by loved ones. The Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program, or CDPAP, is a unique Medicaid initiative designed to make this a reality by empowering eligible seniors with complete control over their in-home care.

Quick Summary

The Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program (CDPAP) is a New York State Medicaid initiative empowering eligible seniors and individuals to hire, train, and manage their own caregivers, which can include family members or friends, for paid in-home care services.

Key Points

Consumer-Directed Control: CDPAP empowers eligible seniors to hire, train, and manage their own home care attendants, giving them direct control over their care schedule and needs.
Compensation for Family and Friends: The program allows family members (excluding spouses) and friends to be paid for providing care, recognizing and compensating the invaluable work of informal caregivers.
No Prior Licensing Required: Unlike traditional home care, CDPAP does not require personal assistants to have prior licensing or certification, as the training is provided by the consumer.
Coverage for Skilled and Custodial Tasks: A CDPAP personal assistant can perform a wider range of duties, including both basic daily tasks and more advanced skilled nursing services.
Supported by Medicaid: As a Medicaid-funded program in New York, CDPAP covers the costs of the personal assistant's wages, with a fiscal intermediary handling all the administrative payroll functions.
Increased Independence and Comfort: By choosing a trusted individual for care, seniors can remain in their homes, promoting a sense of dignity, comfort, and continuity of care.

Understanding the Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program (CDPAP)

The Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program (CDPAP) is a New York State Medicaid-funded program offering an alternative to traditional home care. This program allows eligible individuals, or their designated representatives, to recruit, hire, train, supervise, and dismiss their personal assistants. This consumer-directed approach emphasizes personalized care, often enabling the hiring of trusted friends or family members who do not require prior certification.

How CDPAP Works: Roles and Responsibilities

CDPAP operates on a consumer-directed model where the individual receiving care, or their representative, manages the hiring, training, scheduling, and supervision of their personal assistant. The personal assistant provides various care services, including skilled tasks, and is trained by the consumer. A Fiscal Intermediary handles administrative functions like payroll.

Key Benefits of CDPAP for Seniors

CDPAP offers personalized care from familiar individuals, providing seniors with control and fostering independence. It allows for flexible scheduling and provides financial support for eligible family or friends who serve as caregivers.

Eligibility Requirements for CDPAP

Eligibility for CDPAP requires individuals to be eligible for New York State Medicaid, have a stable medical condition requiring assistance, be able to direct their own care or have a designated representative, and need personal care assistance as determined by a medical assessment.

Comparison: CDPAP vs. Traditional Home Care


Feature	CDPAP (Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program)	Traditional Home Care Agency
Caregiver Selection	Consumer chooses and hires their own personal assistant, including family and friends (with exceptions).	Agency selects and assigns a home health aide (HHA) to the consumer.
Caregiver Requirements	No prior license or certification needed. Consumer provides all necessary training.	Aides are required to be certified and trained by the agency.
Scope of Services	Personal assistants can perform both custodial and certain skilled nursing tasks, such as injections.	HHAs are typically limited to custodial care and cannot perform most skilled nursing tasks.
Flexibility	Consumer has direct control over scheduling and tasks, offering maximum flexibility.	Scheduling is managed by the agency, which can lead to multiple caregivers and less control for the consumer.
Administrative Burden	Fiscal Intermediary handles all payroll and administrative tasks for the consumer.	The agency handles all administrative tasks related to the caregiver's employment.
Relationship	Care is often provided by a trusted, familiar loved one, fostering a deep personal connection.	The relationship is between the consumer and an agency employee who may not be familiar to them.

The Application Process for CDPAP

Applying for CDPAP generally begins with ensuring Medicaid eligibility. The process includes contacting the local Department of Social Services or Managed Care Organization, getting a medical assessment and physician's orders, selecting a Fiscal Intermediary, and hiring a personal assistant.

Choosing Your Caregiver Under CDPAP

CDPAP allows individuals to choose their caregiver, often a family member or friend. However, spouses cannot typically be hired as personal assistants, and parents or designated representatives cannot serve as personal assistants for individuals under 21.

For more information on specific requirements, consult official sources like the {Link: New York State Department of Health website https://www.health.ny.gov/health_care/medicaid/program/longterm/cdpap/}.

Conclusion: A Personalized Approach to Senior Care

CDPAP offers eligible New York seniors a personalized home care option by allowing them to choose and manage their caregivers. This promotes independence, comfort, and aging in place with trusted support, while potentially compensating family caregivers.

Frequently Asked Questions

CDPAP stands for the Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program, a New York State Medicaid program that allows individuals to direct their own home care services.

No, CDPAP is a New York State-specific program. While other states may have similar consumer-directed care options, they will operate under a different name and have different rules.

To be eligible, a senior must be a New York State Medicaid recipient, have a stable medical condition requiring assistance with daily activities, and be able to 'self-direct' their care or have a designated representative.

No, New York State regulations typically prohibit a spouse from being paid as a personal assistant under the CDPAP program.

A Fiscal Intermediary (FI) is an agency that manages the administrative and payroll aspects of the CDPAP program. They handle the PA's wages, taxes, and other employment-related paperwork.

No, as a Medicaid-funded program, CDPAP services are provided at no cost to the eligible consumer. The state covers the caregiver's wages through the Fiscal Intermediary.

The main difference is control. With CDPAP, the senior or a representative hires and trains their own trusted caregiver. In traditional home care, an agency assigns a certified aide.

References

Medical Disclaimer

This content is for informational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider regarding personal health decisions.