Eight Steps to Enrollment

Consumer-Directed Attendant Support Services

Eligibility

The Consumer-Directed Attendant Support Services (CDASS) program is available to people who meet the following eligibility requirements:

Health First Colorado (Colorado’s Medicaid program) members who qualify for one of the home and community-based services waivers in which CDASS is an approved service delivery option.
Demonstrated need for personal care, homemaker, or health maintenance services.
Members are in stable health and can direct their own services and/or assign an authorized representative (AR), if one is required.

Not yet enrolled in Health First Colorado? Apply now.

Enrollment Steps

There are eight steps to enrolling in the CDASS program:

1. Enroll in an Eligible Waiver

CDASS is available to members on the following HCBS waivers:
To start the waiver application process, contact your local case management agency.

2. Meet with your case manager

Meet with your case manager to discuss why CDASS is right for you compared to other options.
- Looking for your case management agency? Find it using the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy & Financing (HCPF) case management agency directory.
If you choose CDASS, you will complete an assessment of your care needs and additional enrollment paperwork.
After completing the assessment process, your case manager will send a training referral and your enrollment paperwork to Consumer Direct Care Network Colorado (CDCO).

3. Attend training

When your referral is received, a training coordinator will call you within 24 business hours to schedule your training. In-person, virtual (phone or video call), and self-paced options are available.
CDCO will train you and give you additional paperwork to fill out. CDCO will also verify your contact information.
Once you complete your training, you will need to pass a post-training assessment to show you understand CDASS.

4. Complete your ASMP and other paperwork

Your training coordinator/peer trainer will help you complete CDASS paperwork, including your Attendant Support Management Plan (ASMP).
Choose the Financial Management Services (FMS) provider you want to help you with processing timesheets, paying your attendants, and filing taxes on your behalf.
CDCO will review your ASMP for completion and contact you if corrections are needed.
CDCO will submit your ASMP to your case manager for approval.

5. Case manager ASMP approval and FMS referral

Your case manager will approve your ASMP or let you know what adjustments are needed.
CDCO will send you a training completion letter once your case manager approves your ASMP.
CDCO will then send your approved ASMP and enrollment paperwork to your selected FMS provider.

6. Enroll with your FMS

After receiving your ASMP and enrollment paperwork, the FMS will contact you within three business days. If you do not hear from them, please contact CDCO.
You will receive FMS enrollment paperwork to make you, or your authorized representative, the employer of record. Your desired attendants will get their employment paperwork.
The FMS will run background checks on your attendants.
When you complete all FMS enrollment steps, your FMS will let your case manager know and request your Prior Authorization Request (PAR) from them.

7. FMS receives your prior authorization request

Case managers must enter member PARs into the FMS portal. A PAR has information about your authorized services, service hours, and certification period for CDASS.
You and your case manager will select an official CDASS program start date and they will send this date to your FMS.
Once the PAR is received by your FMS, it will send you a confirmation of your CDASS start date and attendants’ “good to go” dates.

8. Services begin

You will train your attendants to provide services, log their shifts, and oversee their performance.
If, at any time, an attendant cannot come to work or doesn’t show up, you are responsible for contacting and scheduling a backup attendant.
Stay in communication with your FMS to get ongoing support as an employer. If you are struggling to work with your FMS, you can get dedicated assistance from CDCO’s Information and Assistance team or contact HCPF at HCPF_PDP@state.co.us or 303-866-5638.

After services begin, Consumer Direct Care Network Colorado (CDCO) is always available to help answer questions about CDASS. As the Training and Support contractor, we have many resources available to help you navigate CDASS!