What is CDPAP?
The NY Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program (CDPAP) empowers Medicaid recipients with chronic illnesses or disabilities to manage their home care services. Unlike traditional home care, CDPAP allows consumers to recruit, hire, train, supervise, and if necessary, terminate their personal assistants (PAs).
CDPAP provides flexibility by allowing family members (except spouses) to serve as paid caregivers. Consumers determine their PAs’ work schedules and direct daily care activities. This self-directed model promotes independence while ensuring recipients receive necessary care in their homes rather than institutional settings.
Key program features include personal care, home health, and skilled nursing services. Consumers or their designated representatives manage all aspects of care delivery, supported by fiscal intermediaries handling administrative responsibilities like payroll and compliance.
Why CDPAP Needs Fiscal Intermediary Transition
Current System Challenges: The existing structure of 600+ fiscal intermediaries creates significant oversight difficulties. Administrative costs range from $150-$1,050 per consumer monthly, far exceeding the national average of under $100. Recent fraud cases, including a $68M DOJ indictment in October 2024, highlight systemic vulnerabilities. Inconsistent documentation and service delivery standards compromise program integrity.
Transition Solution: Public Partnerships LLC (PPL) assumes statewide fiscal intermediary role April 1, 2025, bringing:
- Standardized administration across all regions
- Centralized oversight and compliance monitoring
- Cost reduction through economies of scale
- Enhanced fraud prevention measures
- Streamlined documentation processes
- Unified technology platform
Who Will Be Impacted
CDPAP Consumers: Program Continuity: Consumers maintain service authorizations and care plans while transitioning to standardized administration. Choice in PA selection remains paramount, with no changes to service scope or eligibility requirements. The transition focuses on administrative streamlining without disrupting care relationships.
Transition Requirements:
- Mandatory PPL enrollment by March 28, 2025
- Documentation updates using standardized forms
- System orientation and training
- Choice of transition support methods
- Access to multi-language assistance
- Continued service during transition period
Personal Assistants: Employment Benefits: PPL offers enhanced employment packages including competitive regional wages, comprehensive health benefits (medical, dental, vision), continued overtime eligibility, and paid training opportunities. Employment terms maintain flexibility while adding professional development resources.
Operational Changes:
- Standardized timekeeping systems
- Structured training programs
- Clear documentation requirements
- Streamlined payment processes
- Professional development opportunities
- Enhanced support services
Current Fiscal Intermediaries: Transition Requirements: FIs must complete organized wind-down of operations by March 31, 2025. Critical responsibilities include data transfer, stakeholder notifications, and record maintenance. Opportunities exist for continuation as CDPAP facilitators under PPL’s network.
Operational Guidelines:
- Complete data transfer by January 15, 2025
- Issue 45-day stakeholder notices
- Maintain service through transition
- Transfer PA health records
- Support consumer transitions
- Consider facilitator partnership
New CDPAD Network
PPL, as the Statewide Fiscal Intermediary (SFI), manages core program functions including payroll, compliance, training, and customer service. CDPAP facilitators complement these services by providing local support, transition assistance, and specialized expertise for specific populations or languages.
Approved facilitators are listed on PPL’s website with detailed information about counties served, languages supported, and special focus areas. The network includes Independent Living Centers (ILCs) and continues expanding with new partners regularly added to enhance regional coverage and specialized support.
Current fiscal intermediaries in good standing can join the facilitator network by contacting nycdpap@pplfirst.com. Facilitators work alongside PPL to ensure smooth consumer transitions and ongoing support while maintaining high service standards.
For consumers whose current FI isn’t becoming a facilitator, PPL offers direct transition support starting January 6, 2025. Consumers can choose between working directly with PPL or selecting an approved facilitator, ensuring continued access to necessary services and support throughout the transition.
The facilitator network structure maintains local connections and specialized expertise while standardizing fiscal operations under PPL’s management. This approach combines efficient administration with personalized service delivery, supporting CDPAP’s goal of consumer-directed care.
References:
NY Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program (CDPAP) | PPL First. (2024, December 31). PPL First. https://pplfirst.com/programs/new-york/ny-consumer-directed-personal-assistance-program-cdpap/
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