Consumer Directed Services (CDS) are home-based health care services offered by Medicaid or Medicaid waiver programs where the consumer (Patient) can hire the caregiver and coordinate the services authorized. Consumer Directed Services are also known as Self Directed Care or Participant Directed Care. Consumer Directed Services programs will allow the consumer (Patient) to select and direct the caregivers to provide the services authorized by Medicaid or Medicaid Waiver Programs. The patient’s ability to choose a family member or a friend to provide the services needed will increase the trust and comfort level with the caregiver. Consumers will still work with a Fiscal Intermediary, usually a Home Care Agency, to manage the payroll for caregivers and billing for the services.

Medicaid beneficiaries are increasingly receiving LTSS through HCBS. Because states can limit enrollment in HCBS waivers, most states report having HCBS waiver waiting lists totaling over 665,000 people nationally. Proposed additional funding for HCBS will enable states to reduce their HCBS waiver waiting lists and add more people to HCBS. The need for HCBS services will continue to grow in the foreseeable future. Home Health Care Agencies looking for growth and expansion should consider HCBS services as one of the options.

This blog will discuss some of the essential features required in the software to manage HCBS Home Care Agencies efficiently.