What is CDS?
CDS is a Missouri Medicaid personal-care program. The participant selects, trains, schedules, and supervises their attendant. An enrolled provider supports program administration and processes payroll for authorized care.
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Consumer Directed Services
Could you get paid to care for someone you love?
Missouri Consumer Directed Services (CDS) can allow an eligible adult with a physical disability to choose a qualified caregiver, including certain family members or friends. Caregiver pay depends on program approval and authorized services.
Who may qualify?
Basic requirements include the following. Missouri determines eligibility after its assessment; having Medicaid alone does not establish eligibility.
- Age 18 or older and living in Missouri.
- A physical disability and the ability to direct your own care.
- Active MO HealthNet with an eligible coverage category; spenddown rules may apply.
- A state assessment showing the required nursing-facility level of care and authorized needs.
Who can be your caregiver?
An adult child, other eligible relative, or friend may be an option if they meet attendant requirements. A spouse cannot be a paid Missouri CDS attendant. Screening and other program restrictions apply. Tell us the relationship and we can discuss the next questions to ask.
What help can CDS cover?
Authorized personal care may include support with bathing, dressing, toileting, meals, and necessary household tasks. Only approved tasks and hours in the state care plan are covered; a private-pay service list is not a Medicaid coverage list.
How Harmony helps you explore CDS
We can discuss the basics, your county, and your next steps for contacting Missouri. An enrolled CDS provider’s role includes attendant onboarding support, required checks, payroll, and visit-verification guidance. Contact Harmony to confirm our current program participation and intake availability before choosing a provider.
This inquiry is a starting point, not a Medicaid application or eligibility decision. Enrollment, authorization, and provider participation must be confirmed before program-funded services begin.
Official resources: Missouri CDS eligibility and program guidance · Missouri CDS caregiver questions. Reviewed September 2026.
How Harmony works
A conversation is the first step.
- 01
Tell us what you need
Start with our short eligibility form. Share your location, the kind of help you need, and your preferred schedule.
- 02
Discuss your care options
We review private-pay support or explain program requirements, availability, and the next steps for an assessment.
- 03
Arrange a start that works
Once the care plan, staffing, agreement, and any required authorizations are in place, we confirm when care can begin.
Get started
Not sure which care option fits?
Send this short form directly to our care team. No medical details are needed. We’ll contact you to discuss your options.