Frequently Asked Questions

Roles & Responsibilities

1. What are the Roles and Responsibilities of the Concepts of Independence?
   • Promote Consumer independence.
   • Serve as the fiscal intermediary between the Consumer and Medicaid by billing Medicaid based on the Consumer’s authorization.
   • Administer a comprehensive wage and benefits program for Personal Assistants.
   • Provide a variety of ancillary services to the Consumer or the Surrogate assisting them, including: compliance monitoring, recruitment assistance, emergency preparedness.
2. What are the Roles and Responsibilities of the Local Department of Social Services (DSS)?
   • Determines if the Consumer is eligible to participate in Concepts’ CDPAP.
   • Notify all Medicaid-eligible long-term care service recipients and burrough residents of the chance to participate in CDPAP.
   • Define the level and amount of services required for each Consumer through their locally-approved home care authorization procedure.
   • Authorize reimbursement for PA services as prescribed by the New York State DSS.
   • Terminate services for any Consumer deemed not appropriate for CDPAP, and if suitable, transfer Consumer to another program.
   • Provide Consumer with a fair hearing notice
3. What are the Roles and Responsibilities of a Personal Assistant?
   • Provide Concepts with all employment documents prior to hire, and get an initial physical exam and an annual physical exam while employed.
   • Complete all designated assignments of the Consumer (or the Designated Representative of the Consumer) to enhance the Consumer’s ability to live independently.
   • Complete a timesheet with actual hours worked at the end of each day.
   • Respect the Consumer’s health, well-being, privacy, and property.
   • Comply with the policies and regulations of Concepts of Independence.
   • Report to Concepts any possible instances of Medicaid fraud.
   • Notify Concepts when a Consumer gets admitted to the hospital, long-term care facility or is on vacation.
4. What are roles & responsibilities of a designated representative?

   In cases where the Consumer is non-self-directing, their roles and responsibilities (described above) can be taken on by a legal guardian or responsible adult, known as a Designated Representative.

5. Where can one get more information on how the Concepts of Independence Consumer Directed Personal Assistance program works?

   For more information on how the Concepts of Independence Consumer Directed Personal Assistance program works, Email the Concepts of Independence webmaster info@coiny.org , or call and ask to speak to our Client Coordinator @ 212-293-9999.

6. What are the Roles & Responsibilities of a Consumer?
   • Recruit, interview, train, and schedule the Personal Assistant of your choice.
   • Manage your own care plan within the authorized hours given to you by DSS, and inform Concepts staff of any changes that may affect your service authorization.
   • Direct the timely and accurate completion of your PA's time sheets, employment documents, and annual health assessments.
   • Keep Concepts informed of any changes in status of both Consumer and PA such as address, telephone number, and incidents of hospitalization.
   • Develop an emergency backup system that can manage emergency schedule changes, vacation days, and holidays.
   • Maintain a safe and suitable work environment.
   • Treat the PA with the respect and consideration with which you would like to be treated.