There’s been a great deal of public discussion about changes in New York’s Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program (CDPAP), which provides vital home care services for many throughout our state — particularly for seniors and people with disabilities.
As the state’s health commissioner, I’ve been troubled by misinformation claiming that a new state plan to fix serious problems with CDPAP will result in current home care users losing access to the services and caregiver they need. Let me be clear: That’s utterly false.
Here’s the simple truth: under the state’s new plan, if you’re a CDPAP user you’ll continue to have the same access to home care, and you can keep your trusted caregiver.
Some business interests have engaged in a multi-million-dollar ad campaign spreading the false claim that New York’s shift to a centralized fiscal intermediary for CDPAP is destined to fail.
And unfortunately, that campaign has understandably left some in the CDPAP community unclear on what’s actually going on.
The businesses behind that misinformation campaign are trying to protect the status quo, which up until now has been something of a “Wild West” — with hundreds of middlemen companies taking a cut of Medicaid dollars without proper oversight, which has sent CDPAP spending skyrocketing to more than $9 billion last year.
That “Wild West” environment was bad for CDPAP consumers because it made the CDPAP program unsustainable for the long-term and put home care users and their caregivers at risk of a financial collapse down the road.
It was also bad for millions of New York taxpayers, who were understandably frustrated to see recent examples of Medicaid fraud and other abuse of the system, such as the federal charges just a few months ago for an alleged $68 million fraud scheme by an entity claiming to be a CDPAP company.
Centralized oversight of a single administrator is the best way to address these problems and protect CDPAP home care users, caregivers and taxpayers.
Under our plan, the state is working with a new lead partner for CDPAP — Public Partnerships LLC (PPL) — which will lead a statewide partnership focused on delivering a stronger program for New Yorkers.
There are actually some things about CDPAP that won’t change at all under our plan. For example, if you’re enrolled as a CDPAP home care user today, the state’s new plan will provide all the same benefits and services to you. You can still select your own caregiver — whether it be a family member, friend or someone else — and receive the high-quality home care you’ve come to expect.
What will change is the number of fiscal intermediaries operating in CDPAP. Instead of hundreds of middlemen companies that lack clear oversight and standards, PPL will be the state’s sole fiscal intermediary, and it will work with a partnership of several dozen community-based organizations — including 11 independent living centers — to continue delivering culturally competent, multilingual home care services to New Yorkers.
This will rein in the runaway costs and fraud that previously harmed the program and taxpayers, while also protecting CDPAP for the long-term and ensuring continued access for home care users and their caregivers.
The most important thing for CDPAP home care users and caregivers to do now is to ensure they’re registered with PPL.
PPL is working with consumers through direct outreach, offering online resources, a dedicated New York-based support center and public information sessions, as we all work toward a seamless transition by April 1.
Existing CDPAP consumers and personal assistants can either anticipate hearing from Public Partnerships LLC between now and March 28, or can start the process sooner through PPL’s support center at 1-833-247-5346, TTY: 1-833-204-9042 or PPL’s website at pplfirst.com/cdpap.
Program participants can also work with PPL or another approved CDPAP facilitator, including Independent Living Centers (ILCs), who can guide you through the transition and provide ongoing support with CDPAP.
Patient privacy is taken very seriously and during this transition, our dedicated staff at the New York State Department of Health are working closely with PPL and our community partners to ensure patient privacy and data are protected.
Through this transition, we are continuing to demonstrate our ongoing commitment to protecting those who are served by this program. At its core, the New York State Department of Health’s mission is to protect and promote health and well-being for all, building on a foundation of health equity to help all people achieve optimal physical, mental and social well-being.
McDonald is the New York State health commissioner.