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Veteran-Directed Care Services
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What is Veteran-Directed Care (VDC)?
VDC is a collaborative program between the Veteran Administration (VA) Healthcare System, the Aging and Disability Network Agencies (ADNA), and the Area Agency on Aging. It gives Veterans the opportunity to receive in-home services in a self-directed manner for those who need nursing home-level care. This program is designed to keep Veterans of all ages and disabilities in their communities and avoid nursing home placement.
- This program negates the use of home health agencies through the VA Optum Program and allows veterans to hire their own personal care assistant (PCA) or hired caregiver.
- This also allows Veterans to have greater access, choice, and control over their long-term care services by empowering them to:
- Decide what mix of services will best meet their needs.
- Hire their own PCA (including, but not limited to, a family member, friend, or neighbor).
- Purchase items or services that will assist the Veteran in living safely and independently in his/her home.
ADNAs Partnership Role
Supportive Services:
- ADNAs assume the primary role in implementing and facilitating services for Veterans enrolled in VDC.
- ADNAs provide a person-centered counselor who assists Veterans in determining what services will be purchased/paid for with the Veteran's annual budget.
- The Veteran's annual budget is the annual allowance that a Veteran qualifies for based on Case Mix Rate (a calculated value that reflects the estimated cost of providing healthcare to a specific veteran based on their individual health needs and complexity) and state and county of residence.
- A person-centered counselor will also assist the Veteran in developing a spending plan, which the VA reviews and approves prior to implementation. Spending plans are reviewed monthly to ensure that all needs are addressed.
- Provide care coordination
- Contract with a Financial Management Service Agency (FMS), who assists in managing the Veteran's annual budget.
- The FMS pays employees/PCAs directly, manages IRS paperwork, and files taxes.
- Funds are NOT paid directly to the Veteran.
To determine if you qualify for the VDC Program, please contact the VDC Social Worker, Christopher Matthews, LSW, at (216) 956-4417.
If you are enrolled and need to reach your Person-Centered Counselor, please call 216-727-2852.