What is the self-directed option?

The self-directed option allows you to have more control over your services and who provides them. In some cases, employees may have an opportunity to earn a higher wage through the self-directed option.

You can return to agency staffing at any time, subject to the availability of staffing. Your Care Coordinator will help you with the transition.

There are some responsibilities that go along with participating in the self-directed option:

• Participating in Skills Training
• Recruiting, interviewing, hiring, and training your employee
• Terminating your employee, if necessary
• Working with your employee to complete all required documents
• Arranging for backup staffing if your employee is unable to come to work
• Keeping track of and approving your employee’s hours
• Keeping copies of all required paperwork
• Managing your employee and providing feedback on performance
• Following the self-directed option guidelines and applicable program rules 
• Working with the Fiscal Intermediary on anything related to payroll, taxes, new hires, and workers’ compensation

Depending on the program you are enrolled in, there can be a lot of paperwork in the beginning. Your Skills Trainer and Fiscal Intermediary (FI) will be available to assist and answer questions for you along the way. Ongoing, you will be responsible for scheduling your employee and completing required paperwork for new employees. You will also be responsible for reviewing, approving, and submitting timesheets to your FI twice a month.

Your Fiscal Intermediary will process payroll on your behalf.

The time frame can vary depending on the date of your training and how soon your required paperwork is completed. Your Care Coordinator will offer to seek agency staffing while you are working on the self-directed option.

Current consumers should contact their Care Coordinator. If you are not currently a SeniorsPlus Care Coordination client but would like information, please call 1-800-427-1241 and ask for the Care Coordination Manager or email info@seniorsplus.org.