Attendants
Update: Pay Increase for Attendants
- In accordance with the 2022 Virginia Acts of Assembly, rates for Consumer-Directed Personal Care Attendants are:
- Northern Virginia (NOVA) - $16.45/hour
- Rest of State (ROS) - $12.70/hour
Update: Hazard Pay
- Attendants who provided personal care services to Medicaid members from March 12, 2020, through June 30, 2020, qualify for a one-time hazard payment of $1,500 (employee taxes will be deducted from the final payment). This will begin dispersing on or after January 11, 2021.
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- Click here for an informative one-pager
- Email questions to: HazardPay@dmas.virginia.gov
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Update: Proof of Address
- Effective January 1, 2021, attendants will be required to provide proof of address during the enrollment process.
- Existing live-in attendants have until June 30, 2021 to provide proof of address. The Fiscal/Employer Agent (F/EA) will provide details on how to submit documents for verification. Attendants who do not send in the required documents will no longer be considered live-ins and must comply with all EVV requirements.
- Forms of proof of address can include but are not limited to the following:
- Driver’s license
- Voter registration card
- Banking statement
- Credit card statement
- Utility bill statement
- Cell phone bill statement
- Forms of proof of address can include but are not limited to the following:
- Read the Medicaid Memo here.
Update: Overtime for Attendants
- Effective January 1, 2021, attendants may work up to 8 hours of overtime per work week (overtime is considered any hours over 40 hours in a week; the max total that attendants can work is 48 hours (regular 40 hours + 8 hours overtime).
- Only attendants who do not live with the person receiving services are eligible for overtime payments.
- The attendant may not exceed the person's bi-weekly authorized hours.
- If an attendant qualifies for overtime, the attendant must use an approved EVV method, including the EVV mobile application or IVR system.
- DMAS is finalizing a Medicaid Memo regarding the upcoming EVV live-in exemption and overtime changes.
- Overtime rates are expected to be $19.17 for Northern Virginia (NVA) and $14.81 for Rest of State (ROS).
- Please refer to all questions regarding EVV to EVV@dmas.virginia.gov.
- Please refer questions relating to the overtime changes to CDSF@dmas.virginia.gov.
- Please note: Attendants cannot qualify for overtime and live-in exemption.
- Read the Medicaid Memo here.
Role of the Attendant
The attendant is a person who provides personal care or supports for the waiver person. The attendant is the person hired by the Employer of Record (EOR) who provides CD personal assistance, respiteShort-term care for a child or adult that allows the primary caregiver relief. More services, or companionA waiver-paid service focused on presence of a caregiver for safety, but less on hands on caregiving. More services to the person. The attendant provides services that are authorized by DMAS or its designated service authorization agent. The attendant should have the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the functions and duties necessary to support the person who is receiving services.
Becoming an Attendant
The attendant must:
- Be 18 years of age or older
- Have the skills to perform services as specified in the person’s service plan
- Have basic math, reading, and writing skills
- Have a valid Social Security number and be authorized to work in the United States
- Submit to a criminal history background records check through the Virginia State Police, and, if the person being served is a minor, the Virginia Dept. of Social Services (VDSS) Child Protective Services (CPS) Central Registry
- Demonstrate the capability to perform health maintenance activities required and that are in the service plan, or be willing to receive training in performing the activities
- Not be a spouse of the person receiving services or a parent or step parent of a minor child receiving the services
- Not be the person’s Services Facilitator or Case Manager or Support Coordinator
- Not be the person designated as the EOR who is directing the care of the person receiving services
In addition, the attendant must:
- Protect the person’s health, safety and welfare by providing authorized services in accordance with the policies and standards of the applicable Medicaid waivers.
- Maintain all confidential information regarding the person and respect their privacy.
- Understand that the attendant is employed by the EOR, not the Fiscal Agent, the Services Facilitator, the Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS) nor the MCO.
- Understand that the property of the person receiving services, including the telephone, is not to be used by the attendant for personal use unless mutually agreed upon by both parties prior to use of the property.
- Be punctual, neatly dressed, and respectful of all family members. All instructions regarding care must be carried out carefully.
Find a caregiver job here.
DMAS Memos/Bulletins Concerning Attendants
- October 6, 2021: DMAS Memo – Pay increase (effective July 1st, 2021)
- Northern Virginia (NOVA) – $15.30/hour
- Rest of State (ROS) – $11.81/hour
- June 1st, 2020: DMAS Memo – Pay increase (effective July 1st, 2020)
- Northern VA: $12.78/hour
- Rest of State: $9.87/hour
- June 1st, 2016: DMAS Memo – No overtime pay (effective June 30th, 2016)
Finding Attendants
My Choice 4 Care: Available for Consumer-DirectedServices where the person using them is allowed to select, hire, fire, and train their particular caregiver(s). More attendants. This allows you to search for attendants, as well as look for work as an attendant.
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