FAQ's

What is Consumer Directed Services (CDS)?

Consumer Directed Services (CDS) is a program through Missouri State’s Medicaid designed to assist people living with physical disabilities in MO. The program provides for care services from a personal care attendant (PCA), allowing the care recipient to live in their own homes and communities, instead of the more restrictive environment in an institution. The Consumer Directed Services program is administered by Missouri’s Division of Health and Senior and Services (DHSS).


What are the benefits of Consumer Directed Services (CDS)?

The most significant benefit of the Missouri CDS program is that the care recipient gets to live in an environment in which they are comfortable, despite their disability. Like many people, you might not want to move into a nursing home, separated from your community.

Another benefit of CDS is that you are allowed to hire friends or family members to provide you caregiving services. The only exception is that they cannot be your spouse or legal guardian. By allowing you to hire a caregiver of your choice, CDS makes it possible for you to receive care from someone you like and trust, instead of a stranger at a nursing home.

Also, when a personal care assistant helps you with daily living activities, you will be able to live on your own and pursue things that otherwise might not have been possible due to your disability. You can continue working, going to school, or pursuing your hobbies and passions.

Finally, if you’re a caregiver, CDS allows you to earn money while you provide care for a friend or family member (as long as you are not their spouse or legal guardian). The extra income could be ideal if you’re a college student looking for part-time work, or if you’re retired and on a fixed income. Caregivers typically make around $10 per hour in Missouri.


How does Consumer Directed Services (CDS) work?

To qualify for CDS, you would have to be deemed eligible by Missouri’s Division of Health and Senior Services (DHSS).

One of the prerequisites of CDS is that you have to be currently on MO HealthNet, which is Missouri’s Medicaid program. If you’re not presently enrolled in MO Healthnet, you can call them at 855-835-3505.

Once you enroll in MO Healthnet, you can apply through DHSS. They will schedule a pre-screening and a home assessment to determine your requirements when it comes to assistance and personal care.

The personal care assistance that you can expect through CDS will be non-medical. You will get help with tasks that you are no longer able to do yourself due to your disability, or with regular tasks that would take you an unreasonable amount of time to complete. Through CDS, you can only get help with activities of daily living (ADL), and it would not include anything that requires a licensed medical professional.

As a participant in the CDS program, you will also be required to hire, train, and direct your caregiver. The specific tasks your care assistant helps you will vary based on your needs, and according to your disability and living arrangements. However, here are some of the typical things that you can expect your assistant to help you with:

  • Grooming

  • Bathing

  • Personal hygiene

  • Toilet use

  • Mobility

  • Taking medications on time

  • Cleaning

  • Laundry

  • Cooking

  • Shopping

  • Essential transportation

For the care services, your personal care assistant (PCA) will get compensated at an hourly basis through Consumer Directed Services (CDS) and Medicaid (typically around $10 per hour). As mentioned above, you can hire your friends or family members as caregivers, except for your spouse or legal guardian.

Am I eligible for the Consumer Directed Services (CDS) Program?

Let’s look at some of the requirements and conditions when it comes to being eligible to participate in CDS.

Health needs requirements

CDS is meant for people who cannot perform daily activities due to physical disabilities or illness. Unfortunately, it does not currently provide care for people with mental conditions like dementia.

Here are the requirements to be eligible for CDS:

  • Be a Missouri resident above the age of 18 years.

  • Have a physical disability that makes you unable to perform daily activities like meal preparation, bathing, cleaning, etc.

  • Require the level of care that might be provided at a nursing home.

  • Be able to direct your caregiver and train them according to your needs.

You do not have to be a senior to qualify for CDS, although many program participants happen to fall in the elderly category.