We are hiring PCA’s and HHA’s in all the boroughs.
Frequently Asked Questions
We understand that navigating home care and the CDPAP program can be complex. To help you find the information you need quickly and easily, we’ve compiled answers to the most common questions we receive.
Frequently Asked Questions
We understand that navigating home care and the CDPAP program can be complex. To help you find the information you need quickly and easily, we’ve compiled answers to the most common questions we receive.
CDPAP Related FAQs
The Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program (CDPAP) offers a unique home care model within New York State, empowering Medicaid recipients by granting them autonomy over their personal care decisions. They may recruit and select their own caregivers, with minimal limitations – all selected caregivers must register with their CDPAP patient’s selected Fiscal Intermediary, such as Special Touch Home Care. From here, patients may train, manage, and terminate their caregiver(s), fostering a personalized care environment.
Below are the different types of plans available for consumers interested in joining the CDPAP program:
- Managed Medicaid Care Plan (MMC)
- Managed Long Term Care Plan (MLTC)
- Medicaid Advantage Plus Plan (MAP)
- Program for All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE)
Please note that the list of plans may change over time; for the most up-to-date information on plans servicing your area, contact Special Touch at 718-627-1122 and ask to speak with our Intake Department.
The ability to make informed decisions regarding one’s care is critical to qualify for CDPAP. Those who cannot independently make these decisions may designate a responsible individual to oversee their care management, ensuring personalized assistance is effectively administered, this individual is referred to as a “Designated Representative”
In addition:
- New York resident
- Be enrolled with Medicaid or be Medicaid-eligible
- Must need assistance with activities of everyday living
- Must be deemed eligible for home care services, such as home health care or long-term care, based on your medical needs and living situation (an in-home RN evaluation determines this)
- Be self-directing or have someone who can direct your care you must be capable of directing your care OR have a designated representative, such as a legal guardian, who can direct care on your behalf.
CDPAP Personal Assistants are capable of delivering the same level of care as home health aides or home attendants. Additionally, they possess the ability to administer specific “skilled” care tasks that HHA’s are not typically permitted to perform under their certification . Some examples of tasks include:
- Tracheostomy care, including suctioning
- Oxygen administration
- Medication administration
- Insulin injections
Special Touch Home Care is an approved Lead Fiscal Intermediary, who processes payroll and also administers other benefits (compensation packages vary based on several factors, most notably the county in which the patient resides). STHC processes payroll weekly based on the time and attendance records generated from the caregiver’s clocks in our automated telephony system. As long as caregivers clock in and out for every shift; they are always paid in full for their one-of-a-kind care.
To register in the CDPAP program, you’ll start by reaching out to a Fiscal Intermediary (FI) like Special Touch Home Care. It’s important to note that the FI will inquire about your Medicaid enrollment status since CDPAP is a Medicaid funded program. Unfortunately, Medicare doesn’t cover the program at this time. Also, being enrolled in a Medicaid Managed Care Plan could be helpful, but it might not be mandatory based on your specific circumstances. The best course of action is to seek tailored advice for your situation. Click the button below to request a free consultation from a knowledgeable STHC Care Representative.
PCA/HHA Service Related FAQs
Recent studies have shown that people recover faster at home than in institutions. For example, when chemotherapy is required for cancer treatment, smaller doses administered at home cause fewer adverse reactions than the large doses delivered in a hospital setting.
If you need assistance that a family member or friend cannot easily or effectively provide, home care may be the best solution for you. Home care services benefit people who:
- Require additional assistance to live independently at home due to an illness, disability, or advanced age.
- Have a chronic or life-threatening illness and want to rest in the comfort of their home environment.
- Are able to be discharged from a hospital or nursing home but need additional care at home.
- Require short-term assistance at home because of same-day or outpatient surgery, or maternity-related incapacity.
CDPAP
- The consumer or patient is allowed to choose and manage their own caregiver(s), typically someone with whom they have a prior relationship, such as a friend or family member
- The CDPAP Caregiver can perform assistance with ADLs (activities of daily living) similar to a PCA/HHA, but, in addition, may also perform certain tasks typically only permitted to be performed by a Registered Nurse (RN)
- The CDPAP Caregiver is not required to carry healthcare accreditation or certification
PCA and/or HHA
- Unlike the CDPAP program, PCA and HHA services are scheduled and managed by the home care agency (Special Touch Home Care)
- The agency (rather than the consumer) is responsible for all matters related to their in-home aide services
- The PCA and/or HHA follows a Plan of Care furnished by a Registered Nurse
Special Touch provides three services: Personal Care Aide (PCA), Home Health Aide (HHA), and oversight of Special Touch’s CDPAP program. PCA and HHA services are supervised by a Registered Nurse and offer a wide range of assistance, including companionship, nutritional support, personal care, and various other tasks as outlined in each patient’s individualized Plan of Care, created by a Registered Nurse.
Special Touch Home Care is licensed by the New York State Department of Health, accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO), as well as by the Better Business Bureau, ensuring top-quality care. Our Personal Care Aides and Home Health Aides undergo thorough screening and supervision by both nurses and our office team to provide optimal care. Continuous training keeps their skills current and impactful in providing exceptional care.
At Special Touch Home Care, we strive to meet the diverse needs of New Yorkers by employing a multicultural team of certified in-home caregivers fluent in languages such as English, Spanish, Russian, Haitian Creole, Chinese (Cantonese and Mandarin), and more. We actively recruit individuals from diverse backgrounds to ensure we can effectively serve all communities. For the latest updates on our staffing diversity, please contact our office at 718-627-1122 and ask to speak with our Intake Department.
Every certified caregiver at Special Touch undergoes a rigorous screening process, starting with in-office interviews to assess their compassion and caregiving qualities. We conduct comprehensive background checks, including criminal screening/fingerprinting, and verify personal and work references. We ensure that each employee maintains a complete and current medical profile along with valid employment authorizations. Once all paperwork is approved, they undergo a skills assessment, testing, and additional education to enhance their ability to deliver quality patient care. Only after successfully completing these steps is an employee deemed ready to provide care to a Special Touch patient.
Setting up services is straightforward and can be started by either calling our office at 718-627-1122 and speaking with a Care Representative on our Intake Team, or by completing the Free Consultation form by clicking the button below:
Special Touch works with most major Medicaid Managed Care Plans that operate within our service area, including Managed Long Term Care Plans (MLTCs), Medicaid Managed Care Plans (MMCs), Health and Recovery Plans (HARPs), Medicaid Advantage Plus Plans (MAPs), and Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE). We also accept many third-party Long-Term Care (LTC) Insurances, Workers Compensation, No-Fault Insurance, and Private Duty.
For individuals holding NHTD, OPWDD, or TBI waivers, STHC works with the Human Resources Administration (HRA) to provide PCA and HHA services as well as the CDPAP program. Special Touch is also an approved provider with the Home and Community Support Services (HCSS) program. Additionally, for Medicare enrollees, STHC is partnered with numerous Certified Home Care Agencies (CHHAs). These agencies provide/authorize Home Health Aide (HHA) services; however, they do not authorize either PCA or the CDPAP program.
Our office is open from 9AM to 5PM, Monday through Friday. Our on-call staff is available by phone 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.
General FAQs
Special Touch Home Care stands out for our commitment to compassionate, individualized care, our highly trained and dedicated staff. We focus on fostering meaningful relationships with our clients and their families. Licensed by the NYSDOH and accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) as well as the Better Business Bureau, we are committed to providing top quality care.
Special Touch Home Care’s Licensed Home Care Services Agency (LHCSA) offers in-home aide services in the five New York City boroughs and Westchester County. Our CDPAP program services all 62 counties of New York, aiming to support a broad spectrum of care requirements within the community.
Yes, we provide both short-term and long-term care solutions based on your specific needs, whether it’s for post-operative recovery, temporary assistance, or ongoing long-term support.
Yes, we offer live-in care and 24-hour total-care services for clients who require around-the-clock assistance and supervision. This ensures they receive the support they need whenever it’s needed.
Yes, we provide specialized care plans tailored to the unique needs of individuals with physical disabilities, chronic conditions, or complex medical needs, helping them live comfortably and independently at home.
Yes, Special Touch Home Care provides specialized care for individuals with a range of conditions. Our caregivers receive tailored training to support those with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia, Parkinson’s disease, and other neurological conditions. We offer personalized care plans addressing mobility, medication management, and daily living activities. Additionally, we provide compassionate support for individuals with developmental disabilities, assisting them in leading fulfilling lives while remaining independent in the comfort of their own home.
When called for in the patient’s Plan of Care, Special Touch caregivers may incorporate socialization activities and cognitive stimulation exercises to promote mental well-being and enhance the quality of life for our clients.
We carefully match caregivers with clients based on factors such as personality, skills, and preferences to ensure compatibility and a positive caregiving experience.
Yes, our caregivers can assist with meal planning, preparation, and dietary management to ensure clients receive nutritious meals that meet their dietary needs and preferences.
Yes, our caregivers can help with light housekeeping such as laundry, dishes, dusting, and vacuuming, ensuring a clean and comfortable living environment for our clients.
We prioritize safety through comprehensive background checks on all staff, stringent safety protocols, and continuous supervision and support. This commitment ensures the highest standards of care and protection for our clients.
We respect and honor cultural and religious preferences in care delivery. We also work closely with clients and their families to ensure that our care plans align with their beliefs, traditions, and customs.
We strictly adhere to privacy and confidentiality regulations, and our staff members are trained to respect our client’s privacy and dignity at all times.
Yes, individuals enrolled in the CDPAP have the flexibility to change caregivers as needed to ensure they receive the best possible care and support. However, each caregiver must be registered with Special Touch Home Care before being permitted to work as a CDPAP caregiver (and be compensated) through the CDPAP program.
Yes, depending on their eligibility, individuals enrolled in the CDPAP program may be eligible to receive other Medicaid services such as in-home skilled nursing, physical therapy, transportation to and from medical appointments, access to durable medical equipment, and much more.
