SDPAS
Self-Directed Personal Assistance Services
Under this program, in existence since 1995, consumers have total responsibility and flexibility over their own care. This includes managing a personal assistant's work schedule, length of employment, and training. A provider agency, such as Summit, provides oversight of your self-directed personal assistance services. A provider agency is an organization that enrolls with the Department of Public Health and Human Services to oversee personal assistance services. You can choose which agency you use.
Services Eligibility
Summit's SDPAS program is designed for people with disabilities who have long-term care needs, have full coverage under Montana Medicaid, and want to direct their in-home personal assistance services.
To participate in Summit's SDPAS program, you must require assistance with personal care tasks or health maintenance activities and be able to manage paperwork and duties required by this Medicaid program. Eligible persons may also have a family member or other personal representative direct services on their behalf.
To learn more about the SDPAS program, see if you qualify for services, or to inquire about working as a personal assistant, please, contact Lorna Palin.
What Are Personal Assistance Services?
Personal assistance services (PAS) are services provided to persons who reside at home and have a medical necessity for assistance with activities of daily living. Services provided in the program include assistance with the following activities of daily living:
- bathing
- toileting
- mobility (including transferring from place to place)
- eating
- nutritional planning and meal preparation
- dressing
- personal hygiene and grooming
- exercise
Medical escort to a Medicaid-reimbursed service may be authorized in addition to the above activities when assistance is needed en-route or at destination. Individuals who need help with activities of daily living may also receive help with the following:
- household tasks related to their living area
- food shopping
- laundry
Additional Personal Assistance and HCBS Programs Available in Montana
Agency-Based Personal Assistance Services
Under the agency-based option for care, the person selects a qualified provider agency. The agency works with the person to establish the schedule for service provision and provides the trained staff necessary for the delivery of care. A nurse from the provider agency completes an on-site visit at least once every 180 days for supervision of care.
Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS)
The Home and Community Based Services program (also known as the Medicaid Waiver program) is an enhancement of the basic personal assistance programs and covers services that are otherwise not covered covered under the state plan for in-home personal assistance services. Under this program people, who would otherwise be institutionalized, are more fully able to access services that greatly increase their ability to live in their own home and community rather than in a nursing home. The services are made available through the Department of Public Health & Human Services (DPHHS) and the Senior and Long Term Care Division (SLTC).
Big Sky Bonanza Program
This is a program enhancement of the Self-Directed Personal Assistance Program and Home and Community-Based Services. The Big Sky Bonanza program enables consumers on the HCBS waiver program, with support through an Independence Advisor and Financial Manager, to direct services formerly controlled by case managers, including personal assistance services and other supports such as habilitation aids, homemaking service, purchasing adaptive equipment and environmental modifications, etc.