How to apply for Participant Directed Services (PDS) in Kentucky

Who it's for

Participant Directed Services is a self-direction option within Kentucky Medicaid's Home and Community Based Services waivers. It is not a standalone benefit you apply for on its own — it is available to people who qualify for and are enrolled in one of Kentucky's Medicaid waivers (Home and Community Based, Supports for Community Living, Acquired Brain Injury, or Michelle P.). For people in an eligible waiver, PDS lets the participant choose, hire, train, schedule, and manage their own non-medical caregivers — including hiring family or friends — instead of using an agency, with help from a support broker to build a service plan and budget. The value of PDS is control over who provides your care, not an additional dollar benefit on top of the waiver.

What you'll need

• Enrollment (current or pending) in an eligible Kentucky Medicaid waiver: Home and Community Based, Supports for Community Living, Acquired Brain Injury, or Michelle P.
• Work with your waiver case manager or support broker to elect Participant Directed Services

Where to apply

What to say when you call

"Hello, I'm calling to ask about Participant Directed Services (PDS). I'd like to know whether I may qualify, what documents I need, and whether I can apply online, by mail, by phone, or in person. I understand I may need enrollment (current or pending) in an eligible Kentucky Medicaid waiver: Home and Community Based, Supports for Community Living, Acquired Brain Injury, or Michelle P., work with your waiver case manager or support broker to elect Participant Directed Services — is anything else required? What is the best next step?"

Tip: have a pen ready, ask for the person's name, and write down any case or reference number they give you.

Step by step

1. Understand that Participant Directed Services (PDS) is not a standalone benefit. It is a self-direction option available only to people who qualify for and are enrolled in an eligible Kentucky Medicaid waiver — Home and Community Based, Supports for Community Living, Acquired Brain Injury, or Michelle P.
2. Check whether you are currently enrolled in, or eligible for, one of those four Kentucky Medicaid waivers. If you are unsure, contact your waiver case manager or call the Kentucky Department for Aging and Independent Living at 1-855-459-6328.
3. Apply for or confirm your enrollment in an eligible waiver online or by phone at 1-855-459-6328 if you are not yet enrolled.
4. Once enrolled in an eligible waiver, tell your waiver case manager that you want to elect Participant Directed Services as your service delivery option.
5. Work with your waiver case manager or a support broker to build your PDS service plan and budget. A support broker will help guide you through this process.
6. Use your approved plan to choose, hire, train, and schedule your own caregivers — including family members or friends — instead of using a traditional agency.

What to expect: After you elect Participant Directed Services through your waiver case manager, a support broker will work with you to finalize your service plan and budget. Processing times vary, so ask your case manager for an estimate of when your PDS option will be active. Your ability to direct your own care continues as long as you remain enrolled in your eligible Kentucky Medicaid waiver — there is no separate PDS renewal, but you will need to keep your waiver enrollment current. If your waiver status changes, your PDS option may be affected, so stay in contact with your case manager.

Renewals

ongoing (tied to waiver enrollment)