Roles in CDC+

A brief explanation of the roles in our Consumer-Directed Care Plus (CDC+) program will help you to become familiar with how we operate and the terminology we frequently use.

CONSUMER

The consumer is YOU! If you are in need of our services, you will be called the “consumer.” You will be the decision maker. You understand the needs identified on your care plan/cost plan, and you develop a purchasing plan that identifies these needs. Then, you decide what services to buy with your CDC+ budget and from whom or where to buy. All purchases must be made according to CDC+ guidelines. You find, hire and manage the people who work for you. You train your workers, and you schedule when you want the work done. You are the employer.

CONSULTANT

In CDC+, the role of the consultant is that of a trainer, coach, and a resource person in your area. Your consultant will train you and/or your representative to develop a budget plan based upon your current care/cost plan. Your consultant is your CDC+ guide and is available to provide you/your representative technical assistance as well as your information resource to services available in your community. Always, your consultant is your FIRST contact when you have a CDC+ question.

REPRESENTATIVE

Your representative is your agent and advocate. The representative's role is to make the best decisions and choices on behalf of the consumer including managing the consumer's long-term care needs and the financial responsibilities of the CDC+ monthly budget. Your representative represents you in all CDC+ decisions so your representative should be someone who knows your needs and is someone you trust. The role is the same as the consumer. It is up to you to decide how much to participate. And it is up to the representative to respect your participation in the program. Your representative signs a Representative Agreement that outlines all of the responsibilities.

FISCAL/EMPLOYER AGENT (F/EA)

The CDC+ Operational Protocol requires the state to provide a Fiscal/Employer Agent (F/EA) for the Consumer-Directed Care program. An F/EA operates under Section 3504 of the IRS Code and Revenue Procedure 80-4. The F/EA processes employment information, reviews records to ensure correctness, and pays providers and employees in accordance with the Fair Labor Standards Act and state and federal tax laws. Effective July 1, 2007, the F/EA for the CDC+ program is the Department of Elder Affairs (DOEA). As a government F/EA, DOEA processes all payroll claims, vendor invoices and will subcontract the payroll function. DOEA contracts with Mains'l Services, Inc. for subsequent services.

CASE MANAGER

Until you decide to become a CDC+ consumer, you have a case manager. You and your case manager developed your care/cost plan and defined your long-term care needs and the cost of those services. Your case manager found agencies to provide your services and goods and, in general, handled most of the care decisions for you.