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Frequently Asked Questions

What is your #1 question today?

What is CDPAP?
General Questions
Who pays for this?
Medicaid and Insurance
How do I get started?
Enrollment Process
Can I be a personal asisstant?
Prospective PAs
How many hours can I work?
Hours and Tracking
Do you offer benefits?
Payment and Benefits

General Questions

What is CDPAP?
The Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program (CDPAP) is a Medicaid-funded program that gives an individual the opportunity to choose who cares for them. With CDPAP, family and friends can get paid to care for their loved ones. Click here to learn more.

What does it take to qualify as a person who needs care?
If you need help with activities of daily living — like shopping, cleaning, bathing, and grooming — there’s a good chance you’re eligible. A Medicaid nurse and/or a nurse from your plan will visit you at home to determine (a) if you’re eligible and (b) how many weekly hours of care you can get.

Are there any restrictions on the types of illnesses that are approved?
No. If a person has Medicaid and needs care, they can qualify.

What if you are receiving help through hospice?
If you are with managed long-term care (MLTC) already, you may be eligible. If you are not currently enrolled with managed long-term care (MLTC), unfortunately, we will not be able to enroll you into our program.

Can I switch from another CDPAP agency?
Yes. We even offer a Wellness bonus for those switching to AIYH. Click here to learn more.

What’s the difference between an agency caregiver and a CDPAP caregiver?
An agency caregiver is a home health aide. They are hired and employed by a home care agency. A CDPAP caregiver is hired by the patient themselves — and they are often a family member or friend of the patient.

I don’t live in New York; can I still apply for AIYH?
Unfortunately, AIYH is only available in NYS for now.

Is AIYH available everywhere in NY?
AIYH is available in 31 counties in NY. Click here to find out which ones

My mother gets disability benefits - can she qualify?
Yes — if she has Medicaid and needs care.

My aunt is on SSI - can she qualify?
Yes - if she has Medicaid and needs care.

My brother has special needs - can he qualify?
Yes — if she is not on any other program. If she is on a special waiver program called OPWDD (Office for People with Developmental Disabilities), she cannot join AIYH, because we are only able to work with an MLTC or Medicaid HMO.

Medicaid and Insurance

Do you have to be on Medicaid to qualify?
YES. This program is ONLY for Medicaid recipients, without exception. To learn more about Medicaid click here.

What is the difference between Medicare and Medicaid?
Medicaid is a state and federal program that provides health coverage if you have a low income. Medicare is a federal program that provides health coverage if you are 65 and older or have a severe disability, no matter your income.

My grandparent has Medicare. Do they qualify?
Only if they have Medicaid too (Medicare is NOT enough).

I have both Medicare and Medicaid - am I eligible?
Yes! As long as you have Medicaid, you are eligible to apply.

I don’t have Medicaid, but I think I may be eligible. How do I get Medicaid?
Feel free to contact the NYS Medicaid Managed Care line at 1–800–505–5678 or the New York State Independent Accessor at 855-222-8350 to get started. To learn more about Medicaid click here.

Enrollment

How does enrollment work? What are the steps to sign up?
The first step is ensuring you have Medicaid. Once you get Medicaid, the next step will be contacting the New York State Accessor at 855-222-8350 to be assessed by the state and choose a MLTC. Click here to learn more about NYS Medicaid.

I have managed long-term care based insurance, now what?
Once a MLTC is chosen, they will reassess depending on insurance policies and determine how many hours you can be approved of. They will oversee creating your CDPAP authorization.

What can I do in the meantime while I get approved by my insurance?
Contact us! We can explain the program and answer any questions you may have. We can explain our policies and send a contract if feel we are the right fit for you. The contract can be sent to your home address or sent via email; whichever you’re most comfortable with.

Will I need to come into your office to enroll? Where is your office located?
You will not be required to come into the office. However, if you ever want to speak to someone in-person, our resource center is located at 55 Hoover Drive, Rochester, NY.

How long does it take to be approved?
It varies – depending on where you are in your process. You can contact our intake department anytime throughout your process for updates.

Prospective PAs

Who can be a caregiver?
Your son, daughter, grandchild, relative, friend or existing home attendant — anyone except your
• Legal spouse
• Designated representative (the person who makes home care decisions for you)
• Parent (if you are under 21)

My parent needs care, can I be their caregiver?
Yes, as long as she has Medicaid and lives in New York.

My child needs care. Can I be their caregiver?
Only if they are over 21 years of age. Parents cannot be caregivers for children under 21.

My spouse needs care. Can I be their caregiver?
No — not if you are their legal spouse. Legal spouses cannot serve as caregivers for each other in this Program.

My neighbor needs care. Can I be their caregiver?
Yes, as long as they have Medicaid and live in New York.

My sibling needs care. Can I be their caregiver?
Yes, as long as they have Medicaid and live in New York

I’m only 18. Can I be a caregiver?
Yes! You can be a caregiver if you are 18 years or older.

I’m not a U.S. citizen. Can I be a caregiver?
Yes, as long as you have valid work authorization.

I live with my loved one. Can I be their caregiver?
Yes! Patients and caregivers can reside in the same home.

I am my parent’s representative/designated other. Can I be a caregiver?
Within the CDPAP program, you can not be the representative and caregiver at the same time.

My loved one has a home health aide. Can I work some hours each week and have their existing aide work the rest?
Yes, as long as the aide is willing to join CDPAP.

Do I need to be certified?
You do not. Being certified is not a qualification for you to become a PA for the CDPAP program.

What if I have a misdemeanor on my record? Would that disqualify me as a caregiver?
It depends on the insurance the patient has. Most insurances do not require background checks. If you are unsure, give our Onboarding Specialist a call and they will be glad to answer any questions you may have.

What do I need in order to qualify as a caregiver?
Caregiver requirements include: our "Pre-Employment Physical” form dated within the year, tuberculosis testing and MMR records. If you are 18 or older and authorized to work in the US, you can get approved!

Is there an orientation I need to attend?
Our easy to navigate orientation is now electronic so it can be completed in the comfort of your home. There you will be asked to complete I-9 information, update tax information, add direct deposit. To get started click here.

What if I don’t understand something in the electronic orientation? Where can I go to get assistance?
You can visit our resource center conveniently located in Greece, NY at 55 Hoover Dr or you can contact our Onboarding Specialist who will be glad to answer questions you may have at onboarding@angelsiyouhome.com.

Hours and Tracking

Are my hours set? Can I be on a flexible schedule?
Hours are flexible, so you and the person you care for can make a schedule that works for you both.

How will you track my hours?
We have a special app for caregivers, so you can clock in and out on your phone. No paperwork, no timesheets — it’s fast and simple.

What if there’s a mistake with my payment?
That’s why our dedicated staff members are here. If you ever have a problem, just pick up the phone — you can expect an immediate, helpful, and professional resolution.

If I need a day off, who will cover me?
We encourage every consumer to sign up at least 2 caregivers. This way, if you cannot care for your loved one on a particular day, your back-up PA can step in.

What if I’m sick and can’t work?
No worries. As you work, you’ll accrue up to 56 hours of paid sick time each year. AIYH PAs get lots of great benefits: sick time, regular pay, direct deposit, paid family leave (if you qualify), and disability (if you qualify). And in many NY locations, PAs are eligible for health benefits — with no monthly fee!

Can you provide assistance if I am not available that day to be with my loved one?
AIYH does not offer outside aides under CDPAP — but you can avoid this conflict if the consumer signs up more than one PA.

Payments and Benefits

How much will I get paid?
Payment and benefits depend on the patient’s location and insurance plan. Please call us at (833) 442-3727 to find out your exact rates.

How many hours will I be able to work?
This depends on two things:
i. How many hours the consumer is approved for.
ii. How many hours the consumer wants you to work.

Is there a minimum number of hours I have to work?
No. Some benefits are affected by the number of hours worked, but you’ll get paid as a caregiver for whatever hours you worked.

How often will I get paid?
You’ll get paid every Friday — guaranteed. (As long as you submitted your hours properly, of course!) Our caregivers appreciate that their payments come in like clockwork, no exceptions. We also offer DailyPay, a new way to get paid after every shift.

How will I get paid?
You’ll get a paycheck every Friday by direct deposit, mailed check, or pay card (provided at no cost).

Does AIYH pay overtime?
We currently do not offer overtime hours. If the consumer is approved more than 40 hours a week, an additional PA will need to be hired.

Can I care for more than one consumer at a time?
Yes, but you’ll need to split the hours, meaning you cannot work for two consumers at the same time. For example, if Mom qualifies for 13 hours per week and Dad qualifies for 27 hours per week, you can complete those hours separately but be paid for 40 hours altogether. Remember to clock out once you reach your 40 hours for the week as we do not offer overtime.

Can I get paid to take care of my spouse?
No - not if you're legally married to your spouse.

Will I get paid time off?
As you work, you’ll accrue up to 56 paid sick hours each year. Plus, you can receive paid family leave and disability (if you qualify). And in many NY locations, caregivers are eligible for a free health benefits package.

Will you reimburse my travel costs?
No, we are unable to reimburse travel expenses on this program.