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Consumer Directed Community Support (CDCS) Manual

Consumer Directed Community Support (CDCS) Manual


Self-direction support activities

This page does not include policy for unbundled service categories. For information about the new categories, refer to CDCS Manual – Unbundled service categories.

Page posted: 10/15/18

Page reviewed:

Page updated: 11/13/19

Legal authority

Federally approved BI, CAC, CADI, DD and EW waiver plans, Alternative Care program (Minn. Stat. §256B.0913)

Unbundling project

Effective Feb. 1, 2025, DHS will start the rolling implementation of the CDCS unbundling project. The current CDCS policy and CDCS unbundling project policy will be in effect at the same time. For more information, refer to the Dec. 10, 2024, eList announcement.

This page does not include policy for unbundled service categories.

Definition

Self-direction support activities: CDCS category of service that includes services, supports and expenses incurred for administering or helping the person or representative administer CDCS. Self-directed support activities must be:

  • · Chosen by the person.
  • · Outlined in the CDCS Community Support Plan.
  • · Purchased under agreements between the person and the provider that specify tasks to be performed, schedules and negotiated fees.

    • Covered services

    Self-direction support activities can include, but are not limited to:

  • · Costs needed to manage the budget (i.e., fees charged by the financial management services [FMS] provider).
  • · Employer-related fees and taxes (e.g., FICA, FUTA, SUTA, workers’ compensation, unemployment).
  • · Employer share of benefits (e.g., health insurance, paid time off).
  • · Bonuses to workers.
  • · CDCS support planning services.
  • · Costs for worker recruitment.

    • Worker recruitment

    The person can use CDCS funds for costs related to advertisement and recruitment of direct support workers. This could include:

  • · Newspaper ads.
  • · Online job postings.
  • · Online matching services to connect job seekers and people who receive services.

    • The person can only use funds to pay for advertisement/recruitment costs when the expense is on a monthly basis or per job post/ad (i.e., not an annual fee).

    Once the person recruits a direct support worker, the person must hire the worker directly, with assistance from the FMS provider.

    Non-covered services

    The person or representative cannot:

  • · Reimburse themselves for time spent developing or administering the support plan.
  • · Reimburse themselves for hiring, training or managing workers.
  • · Directly bill Minnesota Health Care Programs (MHCP) for approved services that have been provided.
  • · Use CDCS funds to pay for an annual fee or subscription costs for worker recruitment, advertising or matching services.

    • Resources

    Financial management services

    Financial management services (FMS) are services that provide help with financial tasks, billing and employer-related responsibilities for people who self-direct their services.

    For more information, refer to CDCS Manual – FMS.

    FMS providers

    FMS providers are Minnesota Health Care Program (MHCP)-enrolled providers. People use FMS providers to act as their fiscal agent to bill the state directly for approved services they have received. The FMS provider is the only entity that can submit claims and receive CDCS payments. People that self-direct their services through CDCS and the Consumer Support Grant (CSG) must use an FMS provider to provide financial management services.

    For more information, refer to CDCS Manual – FMS providers.

    CDCS support planning services

    CDCS support planning services are optional services that help a person develop and implement their CDCS Community Support Plan (CSP).

    For more information, refer to CDCS Manual – Support planning services.

    CDCS support planners

    CDCS support planners are individuals selected by a person and reimbursed through the person’s CDCS budget to help develop and implement the CDCS CSP. Support planners may work independently or be employed by an agency.

    For more information, refer to CDCS Manual – Support planners.

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