Personal Care Assistance -
Consumer-Directed Services General Program Information
The Personal Care Assistance (PCA)-Consumer-Directed Services (CDS) program is authorized by DHSS/DSDS.
PCA-CDS are services that are required or may be provided as part of the CDS Program. Under CDS, the consumer is responsible for hiring, training, supervising, and directing the personal care attendant.
Authorization of CDS is funded through both the Medicaid State Plan and the 1915(c) Home and Community-Based Services waiver titled Independent Living Waiver (ILW).​
CDS Service Limitations:
All CDS consumers must be capable of living independently (reside in a non-institutional or unsupervised residential setting) with CDS in place.
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CDS consumers must meet the following eligibility criteria:
• Be at least 18 years of age
• Have a physical disability (loss of, or loss of use of, all or part of the neurological, muscular or skeletal functions of the body to the extent that the person requires the assistance of another person to accomplish routine tasks)
• Be able to self-direct their own services/care (consumer-directed)
• Be capable of living independently with CDS in place.
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CDS Description & Services
Personal Care Assistance - Consumer Directed Services (CDS) is a Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) program offered through the Division of Senior and Disability Services (DSDS). CDS is available to participants who can direct their own care and can live independently. Authorization of Personal Care Assistance is funded through both the Consumer-Directed Model Medicaid State Plan and the Independent Living Waiver (ILW). This policy addresses State Plan services only;
CDS provides assistance with activities of daily living (ADL) and/or instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) provided as an alternative to nursing facility placement to persons with a physical disability.
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CDS may include any of the following tasks:
