Consumer-Directed Services

Consumer-Directed Services (CDS) Include:

• Personal Care: Bathing, grooming, dressing and personal hygiene. 

• Toileting: Ostomy or catheter hygiene, managing bowel and/or bladder routines and general toileting activities. 

• Health: Use of transfer devices, passive range of motion exercises, assistance with medications and treatments, cleaning and maintenance of equipment. 

• Housekeeping: Tasks such as cleaning, dusting, changing bed linens, doing laundry and taking out trash.

• Meals: Meal preparation, feeding assistance and washing dishes. 

• Transportation: Assistance with shopping, errands and transportation for school or employment.

Consumers must meet the following requirements:

• Have active Missouri Medicaid (MO HealthNet)
• Be a Missouri resident  
• Be at least 18 years of age  
• Be able to direct their own care
• Have a medical condition, diagnosis or disability that qualifies for nursing home level of care

CDS Attendants must meet the following requirements:

• Be at least 18 years of age 
• Pass a criminal background check 
• Have a valid ID or driver’s license
• Be legally authorized to work in the United States

Note: Caregivers can be a family member or friend of the Consumer. Spouses of the Consumer cannot be a paid caregiver. 

Consumer-Directed Services is a Medicaid-funded program. The program is free for Missouri Medicaid (MO HealthNet) Participants. Our agency handles all the administrative duties and ensures your caregiver is paid.

Our agency can help eligible individuals meet their spend down requirements without paying out of pocket, making it easier to access our services.

1. Call our office at (314) 600-8879. We'll collect some basic information from you.

2. Here's what to expect next:

If you already have a Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Care Plan:

• We'll submit a Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Care Plan Change Request for Consumer-Directed Services to the Missouri Department of Health & Senior Services (DHSS).
• Expect a call from a DHSS Care Planning Specialist to verify and make changes to the request. If the request is approved, the specialist will initiate a new care plan for you.
• Please continue using your current care plan, back-up plan and support systems until your request has been completed.

Please Note: Processing times for care plan changes may vary.

If you're new to the program and don't already have a Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Care Plan:

• We'll submit a new referral to the Missouri Department of Health & Senior Services (DHSS) for you to receive Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS).
• A DHSS HCBS Assessor will call you to schedule a face-to-face assessment.
• At the assessment meeting between you and the assessor, prepare to answer a set of questions to determine if you are eligible for HCBS.
• If you are deemed eligible for services, the assessor will initiate a care plan for you.

Please Note: Processing times for new care plan requests may vary.

3. We’ll schedule a meeting for you and your Attendant to complete orientation, fill out necessary paperwork and review program guidelines. Once completed, you can begin receiving services.